Then went outside to watch P. parade ( Parts 1 & 2 )

[Alan Ford]

The above example seems to confirm Arnold and Richey were together - Johnson was joined by Richey and Arnold.

Yes, they were together by that point, but that doesn't mean they went out together. Ms Richey says nothing to that effect. (Those CE1381 interviews are infuriatingly narrow in scope--all the more infuriating in that they are our only statements from a legion of Depository employees!)

It seems more likely Johnson misremembered as Holt and Jacob were down by the Stemmons sign with Sharon Simmons. None of them mention Johnson.

Well, they're offering a very compressed account. I doubt Ms Johnson would bring their names in for no good reason.
 

Arnold left the second floor with Virgie Richey (and others) @ 12:15

No, this has not been established.

[Alan Ford]

Not wanting to disrupt the flow of the thread but thought these may be of interest.

Great thanks, Mr Hackerott! 

Eerie to think what ghosts might be haunting that small space

[Dan O'meara]

Yes, they were together by that point, but that doesn't mean they went out together. Ms Richey says nothing to that effect. (Those CE1381 interviews are infuriatingly narrow in scope--all the more infuriating in that they are our only statements from a legion of Depository employees!)

Well, they're offering a very compressed account. I doubt Ms Johnson would bring their names in for no good reason.
 
No, this has not been established.

Come now Alan.
If Arnold wasn't with them why would they all mention her?

[Alan Ford]

Come now Alan.
If Arnold wasn't with them why would they all mention her?

Because she was with them as the motorcade was approaching.

[Dan O'meara]

Because she was with them as the motorcade was approaching.

Hmmm...
Baker definitely states Arnold accompanied her from the second floor and there's nothing else that really contradicts that apart from Johnson's dodgy memory. The strong impression is that they were all together when they went outside.
Jeraldean Reid seems to confirm this:

Mr. BELIN. All right. When you left the lunchroom, did you leave with the other girls?
Mrs. REID. No; I didn't. The younger girls had gone and I left alone

I think that little mystery is cleared up.

[Alan Ford]

Hmmm...
Baker definitely states Arnold accompanied her from the second floor and there's nothing else that really contradicts that apart from Johnson's dodgy memory.

If that's the reading, then Ms Baker definitely states Ms Johnson accompanied her from the second floor, and that is directly contradicted by Ms Johnson. Calling her memory 'dodgy' does not resolve the issue.

The strong impression is that they were all together when they went outside.
Jeraldean Reid seems to confirm this:

Mr. BELIN. All right. When you left the lunchroom, did you leave with the other girls?
Mrs. REID. No; I didn't. The younger girls had gone and I left alone

Perhaps Ms Arnold went to the bathroom?

I think that little mystery is cleared up.

You're being too hasty, Mr O'Meara!

[Dan O'meara]

If that's the reading, then Ms Baker definitely states Ms Johnson accompanied her from the second floor, and that is directly contradicted by Ms Johnson. Calling her memory 'dodgy' does not resolve the issue.

Perhaps Ms Arnold went to the bathroom?

You're being too hasty, Mr O'Meara!

Have it your way Alan 

[Alan Ford]

Have it your way Alan 

Boo, you're no fun!