Mr. Griffin. Nelson was interviewed by the Bureau—Federal Bureau of Investigation on December 4, and the Bureau indicates that he told them, and this is the Bureau's language and not his, talking about his post, he said the other officer assigned there with him was a reserve officer whose name he does not know. He was there for just 3 or 4 minutes, when Sergeant Putnam told them to station themselves just behind the first jail office window, for people were coming in, in regard to jail office business, such as seeing prisoners. They were instructed not to let any unauthorized persons through the door or ramp leading into the basement.
Okay, when I read that I was mistaken as to where I thought he was standing, so that I was under the impression he was pulled off of his post, but that would be entirely consistent. Apparently all they did was to move him a few feet. Well, the jail office window, you have three here. One, two, and three windows—so [indicating]. Well now, did you talk with Bobby Patterson at all?
Mr. Dean. Yes, sir; I asked him could he say for sure that this man didn't come in his post.
Mr. Griffin. And when did you talk with him?
Mr. Dean. Some time before I went to the hospital.
Mr. Griffin. Did you talk with a reserve officer by the name of Newman?
Mr. Dean. I don't recall the name.
Mr. Griffin. Did you talk with this reserve officer who was stationed over in this area here, as you have indicated on the map [indicating]?
Mr. Dean. I asked Sergeant Putnam—in fact, we had talked during the day about this man, whether to keep him or not, and I said definitely keep him there, tell him to remain there. Now, I don't recall talking to this man specifically about seeing if anyone had come through here. I was fairly certain that they hadn't. The main thing I was thinking about was that Ruby told me he came in here. I had no reason to doubt him, but I didn't know how he had gotten in, other than what he had said, just walking down, and I knew that this was putting R. E. Vaughn in dereliction of his duty.
Mr. Griffin. Well, now; it's my understanding you talked with Patterson before you went to Parkland Hospital?