O.V.Campbell

[Dealey Joe]

Texas School Book Depository VP Ochus V. Campbell was all over the place, literally, in his statements after the assassination. Perhaps because he knew and said too much to the NY Herald Tribune: "Shortly after the shooting we raced back into the building. We saw Oswald in a small storage room on the ground floor." (11/23/63) Had he stuck to his guns, figuratively, he would have helped absolve Oswald of any shooting that day--and relegated him to a minor role. a mere Rosencrantz, simple Distractor of Cops, say, who gave the shooters time to pack up their gear. But lo & behold an alternate version of Campbell's actions appeared the same day in the Dallas Mourning News: "Campbell said he ran toward a grassy knoll west of the building where he thought the sniper had hidden." Notice it's not a direct quote here, though, hence carries less weight than the NYHT version. But. well, if this version were true, then, no, Campbell could not have been there with Truly & Baker to see Oswald on the first floor. But apparently the DMN version was not true. The testimony of others, including Geneva Hine, may have led Campbell to change his tune again, from "I'm a knoll cowhand" to "Back in the Building Again": "He observed the car rush away from the scene. He then immediately rushed into his building...." Ah! back to square one? Not quite. The chorus has changed: "[Campbell] added that he is not personally acquainted with [Oswald] & has never seen him." (FBI interview of Campbell 11/24/63) Backpedaling 1A, eh? Or, Two Ways of Discounting a First-Floor Encounter with Oswald. One (DMN): Run fast, in the other direction. Two (FBI): Run fast in the same direction, but say not just that you did not see Oswald then & there, but that you *never* saw him. Never say never.... Campbell, guilty with too many explanations.... Oswald, guilty of being merely a first-floor pawn in the conspiracy..