(Discussion off the record.)
Mr. Hubert. You have brought up a point that you said you wished clarified, and it was to this effect. You stated to me during the off-the-record discussion that while you were at the hospital, Captain Fritz came to you and asked you whether or not you had told him to come ahead, at which time you said to him, “Yes.” You say to me now that what you had in mind when you told him “Yes,” that you had said to him “Come on ahead” was an earlier conversation or telephone call that you had had with Captain Fritz, and not the come-ahead signal just prior to the Oswald movement.
Captain Talbert. Actually, the earlier call was to Fritz’ office, and I talked to a Detective Beck. Captain Fritz was interrogating the prisoner and couldn’t answer the phone, so I told Detective Beck to pass on the information to him that the basement had been searched. Whether he ever received that information or not, I don’t know.
Mr. Hubert. It is your understanding now that Captain Fritz thought when you told him “Yes” at the hospital, that you had given the all-clear signal, you thought he was referring to the telephone call?
Captain Talbert. Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert. But apparently he thought you were referring to an all-clear signal just prior to the exit of Oswald from the jail?
Captain Talbert. From the jail elevator; yes.
Mr. Hubert. To get the whole matter straight, your point is you did not give an all-clear signal to Captain Fritz just before Oswald was brought out of the jail, is that correct?
Captain Talbert. That is quite true. I was out in the driveway and didn’t know Oswald was down myself. Lieutenant Wiggins has given a deposition clarifying his asking about it coming off of the elevator, but I thought if a conflict arose in Captain Fritz’ deposition, this possibly would clear it up.
Mr. Hubert. What you have told us just now, does it cover everything you told me off the record?