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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. IV - Page 76« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Paul Morgan Stombaugh)

Mr. Stombaugh.
I found--according to my drawing--two machine-cut edges.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Would that indicate---well, do you form any opinion as to, on the basis of that, as to the origin, possible origin, of the tape?
Mr. Stombaugh.
The origin of the tape as far as the manufacturer----
Mr. Eisenberg.
What I am referring to is this: on the basis of that would you draw an inference that the person had taken---whoever made this bag---had taken two lengths of tape from a dispensing machine and had subsequently torn it up into smaller strips, or do you think he had one length of tape from a dispensing machine which he subsequently tore up into smaller strips?
Mr. Stombaugh.
From the ends that I could see, now I don't know whether there were any ends underneath which I did not have a chance to look at, I don't have anything in my notes, but from what I can see it would appear he took a strip of tape, machine-cut from a dispenser, and used that entire strip, thus using up both ends of the tape because we have two machine--cut ends.
Mr. Eisenberg.
In other words, it would be a machine-cut strip at the beginning of the tape which the person pulled out, left over from the last cut?
Mr. Stombaugh.
That is right.
Mr. Eisenberg.
And a machine-cut at the end, where the person himself ripped the tape from the machine?
Mr. Stombaugh.
That is correct.
Mr. Eisenberg.
And you infer that he then divided it into smaller strips on the occasion when he made the bag?
Mr. Stombaugh.
Yes, sir; he pulled one strip, of course, he could have pulled two or three strips, I don't know, but it would appear he took one strip of tape and tore it into smaller pieces to be used on the bag.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Did you notice any bulges or creases or folds apart from the fold used in making of the bag?
Mr. Stombaugh.
No; I didn't. I noticed that one end of the bag had been torn.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Now, would you say that the absence of bulges would be inconsistent with the carrying of a heavy object or an irregularly shaped object in the bag?
Mr. Stombaugh.
Well, I don't believe I am qualified to answer that question, because I actually am not an expert in paper.
Mr. Eisenberg.
All right. We will leave that to the questioned document examiner and we will take it up with him.
Did you notice anything else about the bag relating to its gross physical characteristics and its shape, apart from any debris which you may have found inside or outside the bag?
Mr. Stombaugh.
No, sir; just an oblong homemade bag was the impression I received from looking at it.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Do you think it was, if it was in fact a homemade bag, do you think it was a well-made bag, Mr. Stombaugh? Did you form any opinion as to that?
Mr. Stombaugh.
In my opinion, just a personal opinion, the person was aware as to how to make a bag, to seal the ends by folding both comers in and then folding them flat.
Mr. Eisenberg.
You just demonstrated that both corners originally were folded by the crease lines, and you folded it over again to show how it was made?
Mr. Stombaugh.
Yes; this makes a neat and also a secure corner or end to the bag, to prevent losing any of the contents.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Mr. Stombaugh, did you examine the outside of this paper bag----
Mr. Stombaugh.
Yes; I did.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Exhibit 142 and also 626, to see if there were any foreign items on the suffice?
Mr. Stombaugh.
Yes; I did.
Mr. Eisenberg.
And what did you find?
Mr. Stombaugh.
I found that the bag had previously been dusted for latent fingerprints because I found traces of what appeared to be fingerprint powder on it.
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