Testimony of James Robert Leavelle

The testimony of James Robert Leavelle was taken at 3:30 p.m., on March 2.5, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Leon D. Hubert, Jr., assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. Hubert.

This is the deposition of James R. Leavelle, with the Dallas Police Department. Mr. Leavelle, my name is Leon Hubert. I am a member of the advisory staff of the General Counsel on the President's Commission. Under the provisions of the Executive Order 11130, dated November 29, 1963, and Joint Resolution of Congress No. 137 and the rules of procedure adopted by the Commission in accordance with the Executive order and the joint resolution, I have been authorized to take a sworn deposition from you, Mr. Leavelle. I state to you now that the general nature of the Commission's inquiry is to ascertain, evaluate and report upon the facts relevant to the assassination of President Kennedy and subsequent violent death of Lee H. Oswald. In particular to you, Mr. Leavelle, the nature of the inquiry today is to determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald and any other pertinent facts you may know about the general inquiry.
Mr. Leavelle, you have appeared today by virtue of a general request made to Chief Curry by Mr. J. Lee Rankin, the general counsel of the staff of the President's Commission, and also, under the rules of the Commission, you are entitled to a 3-day written notice prior to the taking of the deposition, but the rules also provide that a witness may waive this 3-day notice, if he wishes to do so. Now, you have not had that 3-day notice, and so, I wish to know if you would like to waive the 3-day notice?

Mr. Leavelle.

Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

All right, then, would you--I think you said you would waive that notice, didn't you?

Mr. Leavelle.

Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

Would you stand and raise your right hand so that I can swear you in?
Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Leavelle.

I do.

Mr. Hubert.

Will you please state your full name?

Mr. Leavelle.

James Robert Leavelle.

Mr. Hubert.

Your age?

Mr. Leavelle.

Forty----

Mr. Hubert.

Your residence?

Mr. Leavelle.

Wait. Forty-three.

Mr. Hubert.

Your residence?

Mr. Leavelle.

7703 Rilla Avenue, Dallas, Tex.

Mr. Hubert.

What is your occupation, sir?

Mr. Leavelle.

Police officer.

Mr. Hubert.

Dallas Police Department?

Mr. Leavelle.

That's right.

Mr. Hubert.

How long have you been so occupied?

Mr. Leavelle.

Fourteen years, approximately.

Mr. Hubert.

How long have you held the position you now hold?

Mr. Leavelle.

About 8 years.

Mr. Hubert.

What is that position?

Mr. Leavelle.

A detective.

Mr. Hubert.

Any particular part of the department?

Mr. Leavelle.

I work at the present time in the homicide and robbery bureau.

Mr. Hubert.

Who is your immediate superior there?

Mr. Leavelle.

Capt. Will Fritz.

Mr. Hubert.

And who is above him?

Mr. Leavelle.

Chief Stevenson.

Mr. Hubert.

Who answers, in turn, to Chief Curry?

Mr. Leavelle.

Yes.