Preventing Self-Incrimination

Because of the threat of litigation, miners and management were cautious about their answers—particularly concerning smoking underground. 

Several miners refused to answer questions about smoking practices. One miner twice told investigators that he d like to take the fifth amendment  

Have you ever observed anyone smoking underground (No audible response). (Witness nodded negatively). 

Paul Ramsey, a foreman, claimed to have no idea about the cause of the disaster. Deatherage, the supervisor, couldn t remember the details of coal production. In the testimony, investigators are skeptical alx ut his faulty memory. His testimony reveals both the uncertainty and complexity of the institutional hierarchy at Southmountain  

Q Who would know that Everybody I ve talked to, almost every management personnel, and nobody can answer that. I m just asking for, is there more or less than usual  

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