Interview of Jesse Edwin Bell, Jr. at Eugene, Oregon
This copy: Part 92 pp. 202–204Also filed at Part 92 pp. 199–201 (primary)
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Interview of Jesse Edwin Bell, Jr. at Eugene, Oregon (file copy)
Interviewed 16 December 1971Dictated 16 December 1971
Another copy of this document is the primary, most legible copy: Part 92 pp. 199–201.
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Id: Cooper-Part-92:202-204
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-92:202-204 Document: FD-302 interview of Jesse Edwin Bell, Jr. at Eugene, Oregon (file copy) Id: Cooper-Part-92:202-204 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-92%3A202-204 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
A person reads every report. Corrections are made by hand, to the data — titles, dates, names, which pages belong together — never to the scans, and they can take a while to appear.
FBI 164-81, Vault Part 92 pp. 202–204 (DB Cooper-41077–41079), FD-302 interview, interviewed 16 Dec 1971 — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-92%3A202-204
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date December 20, 1971
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JESSE EDWIN BELL, JR., 2655 Taylor Street, Eugene, Oregon, appeared at the FBI Resident Agency in Eugene, Oregon, where he was advised of the identity of the interviewing Agents, and the purpose of the interview. Prior to interview, Mr. BELL was advised of his rights as contained in a form entitled, "Interrogation: Advice of Rights; Your Rights." This form was read verbatim to Mr. BELL by Agent [REDACTED] who then furnished it to Mr. BELL to read. Mr. BELL stated that he read and understood his rights, and stated he was willing to answer questions without an attorney present. Mr. BELL signed the waiver portion of the above described form, and thereafter furnished the following information:
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Mr. BELL is currently employed by the Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company, and works with that company in Springfield, Oregon, at the main office located at Fourth and N. A Street. Mr. BELL has been employed by the telephone company since 1945. Mr. BELL frequently stops for a drink after work at the Palm Steak House, a tavern located directly across from his place of employment in Springfield, Oregon. On Friday night, December 3, 1971, Mr. BELL went to the Palm Steak House at Fourth and N. A Street, Springfield, Oregon, at approximately 9:00 in the evening. Mr. BELL began drinking at approximately 9:00 and by late evening was somewhat intoxicated. Mr. BELL recalls talking with several persons in the tavern, both male and female, who were joking about an airliner that had been hijacked in Portland, Oregon on the day before Thanksgiving. Mr. BELL recalls telling these people that he was the hi- jacker, and had obtained $200,000 in cash. Mr. BELL recalls making other statements, indicating that he was involved in the hi-jacking, however, is unable to recall exactly what he said, as he was intoxicated.
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Mr. BELL stated that he bought drinks for several people in the bar during the evening, and did display a fairly large amount of cash on several occasions, which he was carrying in his wallet. He advised, however, that he did not have anywhere near $5,000 cash in his possession. He believes that he possibly
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On 12/16/71 at Eugene, Oregon File# PD 164-41 - 56[illegible]
by SA [REDACTED] SA [REDACTED] Date dictated 12/16/71
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
DB Cooper-41077
PD 164-41
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had as much as $1,000 and does recall having at least one $100 bill in his possession. Mr. BELL stated that he requested change on one occasion for the $100 bill from a waitress in the tavern.
Mr. BELL stated that he continued drinking in the tavern until it closed, and did not arrive home until 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning, December 4, 1971. Mr. BELL's memory is not clear concerning the complete series of events on Friday night and Saturday morning, but definitely recalls claiming credit for the hi-jacking. Mr. BELL stated that he claimed credit for the hi-jacking as a joke, and feels that his intoxication considerably reduced his judgment.
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Mr. BELL stated that he was on vacation from his job from November 22 through November 26, 1971. Mr. BELL advised that he spent every day of this vacation time in the vicinity of his residence, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day. On Thanksgiving Day, Mr. BELL and [illegible] who lives b6 Oregon to visit in Corvallis. b7C
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Mr. BELL advised that he has never had any parachute training, and has never engaged in the sport of sky-diving. Mr. BELL served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was attached to a supply unit in Europe.
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Mr. BELL advised that he recently inherited $10,000 from his father's estate, and part of this money was in his possession on the night of December 3, 1971. Mr. BELL stated that after inheriting the money he just went on a "drinking spree" and lost all judgment. Mr. BELL stated he was extremely sorry for making the remarks concerning the hi-jacking, and stated he would do anything to prove that he is not involved in this matter. Mr. BELL stated that he would submit to having his fingerprints taken, photograph taken, or any other technique to establish the fact that he is not involved in the hi-jacking.
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DB Cooper-41078
PD 164-41
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The following description of JESSE EDWIN BELL, JR., was obtained through observation and interview:
Sex Male Race White Nationality American Date of birth November 17, 1919 Place of birth Baltimore, Maryland Height 5'10" Weight 160 pounds Hair Dark brown - mostly gray Address 2655 Taylor Street Eugene, Oregon Arrest record Claims he has never been arrested.
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DB Cooper-41079
Serials: PD 164-41