Mr. Sorrels. I had certainly planned on having access to him, and I am sure I would have. As a matter of fact, I had in my mind to start talking to him that afternoon.
Mr. Hubert. What I wanted to clarify is whether or not your effort to interrogate him was interrupted. But I gather that it was not.
Mr. Sorrels. No, I would say not. Possibly, had he remained there, I might have attempted to ask him more questions. But he was not giving out much information.
Mr. Hubert. Well, now, during the whole time that Oswald was in custody of the Dallas Police Department, did you find that any obstacles or hindrances were put in your way of examining him?
Mr. Sorrels. No, sir; except had he been in our own custody, there would have been a chance to have questioned him without others being present, or so many others being present.
Mr. Hubert. At the time that you were in Fritz’ office, on November 24, did you hear any plans discussed for the transfer of Oswald?
Mr. Sorrels. No; I did not say that I heard anything about any plans. I do recall that Oswald requested to have some of his clothes brought down there, because his shirt that he had on when he was arrested had been taken from him, I think, for laboratory examination. And Captain Fritz sent and got some of his clothes, and he selected kind of a sweater-type——
Mr. Hubert. But you did not hear the officers of the Dallas police force discussing the method of transportation and the security measures that they had planned and put into operation?
Mr. Sorrels. Yes; I did hear a part of it, I recall now. There was some suggestion about transporting him in an armored car. Captain Fritz objected to that because of—one reason that I recall was what effect it might have in his trial, that that might prejudice the prosecution by him being transported in an armored car, which is not of course ordinarily used in the transportation of prisoners in that area.
Another thing that I recall is that Captain Fritz thought that the armored car would be a bit cumbersome and it would not be able to maneuver as easily as a car. And it was his desire to take him in a police car with escorts.