Mr. Sorrels. Captain Fritz’ office definitely yes—going into his office. I do not recall having to identify myself to get onto the third floor on the 22d when I first got down there. But subsequent to that time, I do recall having to identify myself almost every time I went up there.
Mr. Hubert. What was the general condition of the third floor area from point of personnel, equipment, and so forth?
Mr. Sorrels. I guess you could term it more or less deplorable, because of the fact that they had so many cameras with tripods and cables and wires and photographers and reporters that you would have to step over tripods and wires and almost elbow your way to get in and out of the place. And every time you would come out of it—Captain Fritz’ office—they would turn on those bright lights, and you would have to shield your eyes almost to keep from being temporarily blinded.
Mr. Hubert. Do you mean—that last condition you described took place when anybody came out of Fritz’ office, or when they came out with Oswald?
Mr. Sorrels. No—I would not say just anybody, but many times when I would start out, the minute they would see anyone coming out of the door, they would turn the lights on, I guess to be prepared in case Oswald or anyone else that they wished to photograph would come out.
Mr. Hubert. During the period that we are talking about, that is, say, from the arrest of Oswald the first time you saw him until the 24th, I take it that you observed Oswald being moved from Captain Fritz’ office to the jail elevator at least quite a number of times.
Mr. Sorrels. I can only recall two times, I believe. The first time is when he was taken out of Captain Fritz’ office on the afternoon of the 22d. Then there were two other occasions I knew of when he was brought back into Captain Fritz’ office and when he was taken out. I remember that many times. In other words, about three going out and two coming in I can definitely recall.
Mr. Hubert. Well, do you recall that while he was being so moved on any one of those occasions, that he was addressed by the press or questions asked him, or remarks made to him?
Mr. Sorrels. No, because the time that I saw him he was in Captain Fritz’ office or being removed from his office. I never saw him in the hallway that I can recall.
Mr. Hubert. Well, I thought you had mentioned a little while ago that on the first occasion you did observe him—after you had interviewed him for about 10 minutes—you did observe him move out of Fritz’ office and go to the elevator.