The John F. Kennedy Assassination Homepage

Navigation

  » Introduction
  » The Report
  » The Hearings

Volumes

  » Testimony Index
 
  » Volume I
  » Volume II
  » Volume III
  » Volume IV
  » Volume V
  » Volume VI
  » Volume VII
  » Volume VIII
  » Volume IX
  » Volume X
  » Volume XI
  » Volume XII
  » Volume XIII
  » Volume XIV
  » Volume XV
Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VII - Page 113« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Capt. W. R. Westbrook)

Mr. Ball.
You didn't?
Mr. Westbrook.
No, I didn't.
Mr. Ball.
We had a witness here Thursday, a patron of the theatre at the time, who said that at the time the officers were struggling with Oswald he saw another officer who had a shotgun take the shotgun and grab it by the muzzle and strike Oswald in the back with the butt of the shotgun; did you see that?
Mr. Westbrook.
No, Sir; I didn't see that. It could have happened without me seeing it because half of my view was blocked from the struggle.
Mr. Ball.
Did anybody ever tell you that story before?
Mr. Westbrook.
That's the first time I've heard that.
Mr. Ball.
That's the first time you have ever heard it?
Mr. Westbrook.
That's the first time I have ever heard any shotgun was in play.
Mr. Ball.
Did any of the men who were approaching Oswald or who approached Oswald have a gun in their hand?
Mr. Westbrook.
I didn't see a gun, Mr. Ball; no, sir.
Mr. Ball.
Did you see any men with shotguns in the theatre?
Mr. Westbrook.
In the theatre I didn't.
Mr. Ball.
Did you see any at any other time?
Mr. Westbrook.
Yes, sir; I had one myself at the library.
Mr. Ball.
But did you enter the theatre with a gun?
Mr. Westbrook.
Oh, no.
Mr. Ball.
Did you see any officer either in uniform or out of uniform within the theatre itself that was armed with a shotgun?
Mr. Westbrook.
No, sir--not that I recall, but of course at that time I wasn't looking for one. You know, if I had been looking for one, I probably would have seen one, because I feel sure there must have been somebody come in with a shotgun
Mr. Ball.
Were you in uniform at that time?
Mr. Westbrook.
No, sir.
Mr. Ball.
What happened after that, Officer Westbrook?
Mr. Westbrook.
Well, after Oswald was handcuffed, and I was then--some way I got in the aisle in front of Oswald-- where this was going on, and I looked right into his face, closer than you and I, about like this----
Mr. Ball.
That's close to a foot?
Mr. Westbrook.
Yes; I'd say 10 inches.
Mr. Ball.
Ten inches.
Mr. Westbrook.
And I asked him his name and he didn't answer, and so that was the only thing. Then I yelled--there was so much confusion and it was rather loud, and I yelled at the top of my voice, I said, "Get him out of here. Get him in the squad car and head straight to the city hall and notify them you are on the way." And so they immediately left with him.
Mr. Ball.
Were you the senior officer there?
Mr. Westbrook.
Possibly--I don't think there was another captain there. There was a lieutenant and then I ordered all of them to be sure and take the names of everyone in the theatre at that time.
Mr. Ball.
We have asked for names of people in the theatre and we have only come up with the name of George Applin. Do you know of any others?
Mr. Westbrook.
He possibly might have been the only one in there at the time the rest of them might have been working there, because I'm sure at that time of day you would have more employees than you would have patrons.
Mr. Ball.
You didn't take the names of any of the patrons?
Mr. Westbrook.
No, Sir.
Mr. Ball.
Did you see any marks on Oswald's face as you looked at him, as close to him as you did in the theatre?
Mr. Westbrook.
It seemed like there was a scratch or something---I don't remember exactly---when I looked at him---maybe a slight discoloration, or it might have been bleeding slightly.
Mr. Ball.
Under the right eye?
Mr. Westbrook.
I believe it would be---you---yes, sir; it would be under the right eye.
Mr. Ball.
Here is a picture, and who are the officers in the picture?
« Previous | Next »

Found a Typo?

Click here
Copyright by www.jfk-assassination.comLast Update: Wed, 3 Aug 2016 21:56:35 CET