(Testimony of James Herbert Martin)
Mr. Martin.
then I didn't see any reason for it to be a lie, either, and I supposed it was possible.
Mr. Rankin.
When did you tell Mr. Thorne about it with reference to when Marina told you?
Mr. Martin.
The same day. I don't recall the date at all.
Mr. Rankin.
What did you say to Mr. Thorne about it?
Mr. Martin.
I just related the incident, what she had told me.
Mr. Rankin.
Did you say anything to him about telling the Commission about it?
Mr. Martin.
No.
Mr. Rankin.
Did he say anything about telling the Commission about it?
Mr. Martin.
No, I don't believe so.
Mr. Rankin.
Was there anything else said in this telephone conversation with Mr. Thorne except relating what Marina had said?
Mr. Martin.
I remarked what a big bombshell that would be as far as publicity was concerned if the newspapers ever got hold of something like that.
Mr. Rankin.
That it would be helpful in regard to Marina's story, did you say that?
Mr. Martin.
No, I did think it would be harmful.
Mr. Rankin.
Did you say that to him?
Mr. Martin.
I believe so.
Mr. Dulles.
Why would it be harmful?
Mr. Martin.
Well, this purportedly took place after the Walker incident, and she had made a statement that if Oswald repeated anything of a similar nature as the Walker incident she would turn him over to the police, and this was a repeat or similar, he actually didn't shoot at him but threatened to, and she did not report it to the police.
Mr. Dulles.
I see.
The Walker incident took place on April 10, 1963, according to our records.
Senator COOPER. I would like you if you can to repeat everything that Mrs. Oswald told you about the Nixon incident. What did Lee say to her?
Mr. Martin.
This has been a very confusing 2 months----
Senator COOPER. I know that.
Mr. Martin.
To me.
Senator COOPER. Do the best you can. Take your time and tell us about it.
Mr. Martin.
I couldn't recall it verbatim, but she said he came in one evening, early in the evening, and said that he had tried to shoot Nixon but that he had not come into town that night as he was supposed to have, or that day, but that he would be in the next day, and he would take care of it then.
(Discussion off the record.)
Senator COOPER. I think you said that she did at least partly identify the time by saying at the time they were living on Neely Street.
Mr. Martin.
Neely Street.
Mr. Dulles.
May I just add there our records indicate they were living on Neely Street on March 2, between March 2, 1963, and April 24, 1963.
Senator COOPER. Did Mrs. Oswald tell you anything that he said about the way or means he intended to kill him or at what place?
Mr. Martin.
No.
Mr. Redlich.
Do you recall what weapon she mentioned at the time?
Mr. Martin.
I don't know if I recall that she said shoot him or kill him.
Representative Ford.
Could she speak English well enough to differentiate between shoot and kill?
Mr. Martin.
At the time?
Representative Ford.
Yes.
Mr. Martin.
Yes.
Representative Ford.
She could distinguish English that well?
Mr. Redlich.
Did she mention a pistol or rifle?
Mr. Martin.
No.
Mr. Redlich.
Did she mention whether he was employed at the time or unemployed at the time?
Mr. Martin.
I don't believe so.
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