July 29, 1994 - Part 3
July 29, 1994 - Part 3
(14:00:38) Senator BENNETT. As I say, I'm not trying to read anything into this. I just want to know and I think your answer has been forthcoming, and it contributes to the kind of let's -settle-this-once-andfor-all attitude that we're hearing here. We can put this aside now as anything sinister and I'm happy to do that. Mr. MONROE. There's nothing sinister whatsoever. Senator BENNETT. The second one is in the same category, I'm curious. The FBI identified carpet-type fibers of various colors, They contain red, dark pink wool fibers on various pieces of his clothing. Does the FBI have any idea where that came from? Was there any attempt made to -match that with any carpet in his home, car, or office? Mr. MONROE. No, sir, and for the same reasons I provided in response to your first question relative to the hairs. They were multiple colors. We bad no way to match those particular carpets up, outside the fact that they most likely came from his residence or from his office, and if we had any knowledge of any other venue or location he might have been at, specifically the day of his death, we would have done it. So once again, Senator, nothing sinister whatsoever. Senator BENNETT. Thank you, You made reference to the fact that the clothing might have been contaminated by being mixed with other clothing as part of the investigation. Is that one of the irregularities, significant or not, to which you would refer in response to the kind of thing that Senator Mack was talking about, that in 'hindsight, the clothing should have been sequestered better than it was or, once again, is that an insignificant item? Once a again, I don't know, I'm just curious. Mr. MONROE. It could gave been very significant. The clothing, after the autopsy, was commingled, and you're right, Senator, where that particular hair or fiber was attached to at the time of the FBI laboratory does not mean that's where it was when Mr. Foster met his death, In this particular case, I don't believe it was significant, but it could be in future cases. Senator BENNETT. Just to summarize what I think I'm hearing you say: If this had been a murder, then that procedure in handling the clothing would have been inexcusable. Since it was a suicide and we all know it's a suicide, it turns out not to have mattered. Is that a fair summary? Mr. MONROE, No, I don't think so. I'd like to clarify it. In any death investigation, we had overwhelming evidence to reflect that it was a suicide, and not to make a distinction between a homicide and a suicide. Obviously, a death is-determining the manner of death is important whether it be a suicide or homicide. Am I clarifying my response? Senator BENNETT, Not really, but it probably doesn't matter. Thank you. Mr. MONROE. Well, you were kind enough to ask the question. I'd like to be able to respond. 69 Senator BENNETT I guess what I'm getting at is whether or not the clothing-the handling of the clothing falls in the category of a lapse of proper procedure. We can put to the side the question of how significant the lapse would be, but is it, indeed, a lapse at all that the clothing was allowed to be contaminated at some point? Mr. MONROE,. All things considered, it should not have been done that way. Senator BENNETT. It shouldn't have been done that way. Thank you. Senator Shelby. The CHAIRMAN Y. Thank you Mr Chairman. I will be brief. I un- Senator SHELBY. understand the basic need, Mr. Chairman, to, as part of the mandate of the resolution hold a hearing into the death of Vincent Foster, but it's my understanding a- others have said and people have tes tified, like Dr. Hirsch, that it was a suicide. I have no reason to question that. I was hoping that we could close this forever and let the family go in peace. I'd like to express my regret to the family and friends of Vince Foster over this tragedy. That's all. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Shelby. Senator Domenici. Senator DOMENICI. Mr. Chairman.