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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XII - Page 375« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Detective C. Watson James)

Mr. Hubert.
which you have indicated was the position that you were standing in at the moment of the shooting. As I understand your testimony, you were more or less moving up and down along that position?
Mr. Watson.
Well, that would have been previous, until the time they were bringing him down. Right at the moment, the only difference would be we were probably back--I would probably have been back, I would say, level with the curb line, but at the moment they come out the photographers---and there were some photographers right in this corner, and one more officer, I think, to my left, and more or less--we moved forward just probably a couple of feet, or three. We didn't move over 2 or 3 feet.
Mr. Hubert.
You want to make this comment about the position I have marked as your position at the time of the shooting, you say that it is correct, that prior to the shooting you were perhaps 2 or 3 feet--
Mr. Watson.
Two feet.
Mr. Hubert.
Two feet back in the direction of Main Street?
Mr. Watson.
Yes; only because as the photographers come forward, we tend to come forward and kind of---
Mr. Hubert.
So, I am going to mark another circle then about 2 feet. This is not going to be accurate, but the purpose of the circle is to show your position prior to the shooting.
Mr. Watson.
They bring anyone down, people all naturally seem to move forward a little, just close in a little.
Mr. Hubert.
I have written on the map and encircled the following language. "Position of J. C. Watson prior to the shooting." I'll connect that with a circle, does that conform with your understanding of the situation?
Mr. Watson.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Now, what caused you to move forward in that way?
Mr. Watson.
Just because the photographers and everyone seemed to just move forward a little, Just to keep in line.
Mr. Hubert.
As Oswald was coming out ?
Mr. Watson.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
So, that accounts for the fact that your position at the moment of shooting was a little further towards Oswald than it would have been had you not moved at all, and that difference is about 2 feet ?
Mr. Watson.
Well, I would say not necessarily toward him, just toward the direction he was going.
Mr. Hubert.
He was going; yes. All right, sir. Do you remember who was on your left? What officer was on your left?
Mr. Watson.
I believe Blackie Harrison was on my left, I believe.
Mr. Hubert.
Was any officer on your right?
Mr. Watson.
Not between me and the corner. I don't know whether there was one past the corner of the building between there and the office or not.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you think there was only the two of you, you and Blackie Harrison ?
Mr. Watson.
Well, there had been one or two others over there.
Mr. Hubert.
Right. I don't--only you and Harrison keeping back the press from the Main Street ramp area ?
Mr. Watson.
Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
Only you two?
Mr. Watson.
Of course, the press was actually in the basement area, and on the fence there on the guard rail and then at the time they had already--so many of them had gotten over the rail, and were Just inside on the ramp area.
Mr. Hubert.
I'm going to mark an area Just by making a rough oblong figure in which I am writing in the middle "Area A,"' and I ask you if it is that area that you are talking about that you were standing in front of?
Mr. Watson.
Just practicially; yes. I was in front of, and to the right of it.
Mr. Hubert.
Yes; and how many people do you suppose there were in that area ?
Mr. Watson.
In that "Area A"?
Mr. Hubert.
Back of you and Harrison ?
Mr. Watson.
Not many.

731-228 O---64 vol. XII--25

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