Yet Garner appears to immediately lost interest in the still-unfolding aftermath outside and was eye-locked on the backstairs. Piper and West, who didn't see as much of the assassination as Garner, aren't supposed to see towards the backstairs.
Yet Garner appears to immediately lost interest in the still-unfolding aftermath outside Who said she lost interest? She, just like most people at the time, didn't know exactly what was going on. Garner followed Adams and Styles and stopped near the stairs. From there she had a perfect view across the railway yard. Her close proximity to the stairs made it impossible for anybody to cross the landing from one door to the next without making a sound on the wooden floor and thus draw attention to themselves.
West testified that he didn't have a clue there was something going on. He heard no shots and the first time he realized something had happened was when he saw Baker and Truly run to the elevators. Until that moment Piper and West had no reason to look towards the elevators.
Mr. WEST - Well, I had just, after I made coffee, I just had started to eat my lunch because I was a little hungry - I didn't anything that morning before I went to work - and I had started to eat my lunch.
But before I got through, well, all of this was, I mean,
the police and things was coming in, and I was just spellbound. I just didn't know what was the matter. So I didn't get through eating. I had to eat about half my lunch, and that is all.
Mr. BELIN - Did you hear any shots fired?
Mr. WEST - I didn't hear a one. Didn't hear a one.
<>
Mr. BELIN - Who was the first person you saw on the first floor after you - while you were eating your lunch? Someone came in the building?
Mr. WEST - Yes; before I got through. The officers and things were coming in the front door.
Mr. BELIN - Who was the first person or persons that you saw coming through there while you were eating your lunch?
Mr. WEST - Well, that was the police.