Mr. Hubert.

not been previously interviewed by me, or any other members of the Commission's staff, have you, sir?

Mr. Leavelle.

No, sir; I have not.

Mr. Hubert.

Okay. That's all.

Detective L. D. Montgomery

Testimony of Detective L. D. Montgomery

The testimony of Detective L. D. Montgomery was taken at 4 p.m., on March 24, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Butt W. Griffin, assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. Griffin.

Before I administer the oath to you, I want to state for the record, and for your information, what this whole proceeding is all about, and I will introduce myself for the record. My name is Burr W. Griffin, and I'm a member of the advisory staff of the General Counsel's Office of the President's Commission to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy. Now, the Commission consists of seven men, Chief Justice Warren, Senator Cooper, Senator Russell, Congressman Ford of Michigan, and Congressman Hale Boggs of Louisiana, and Allen Dulles, and John McCloy. That is it. And this CommisSion has an investigatory staff, and that is us. Now, the Commission was appointed under what is known as Executive Order 11130, dated November 29, 1963, and also under a joint resolution of Congress, 137, and we have also prescribed, pursuant to this order and resolution, a set of rules and procedures which have been adopted by the Commission, and I have been authorized, pursuant to all those orders to take your sworn deposition. Now, a letter has been sent to Chief Curry indicating that I do have this authority to inquire and ascertain and evaluate and report upon the facts relating to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent death of Lee Harvey Oswald. In particular to you, Mr. Montgomery, the nature of the inquiry today is to determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald, but also to develop any other pertinent facts that you may know about the general inquiry, but our central focus in this deposition is going to be on things connected with Ruby's killing of Oswald. Now, you have appeared here today on the basis of a request which was made by the General Counsel of the Commission. Naturally, under the rules of the Commission you have a right to receive a 3 days' written notice prior to the taking of your deposition. We can be required to send you a letter in writing. Now I will ask you if, at this point, if you would desire that notice, or if you are willing to waive the notice?

Mr. Montgomery.

Waive it.

Mr. Griffin.

Okay. Also, I should tell you that you are entitled to have an attorney here if you want, and many of the witnesses have appeared with attorneys, and if you indicate to me that you would like to have your deposition postponed until you could talk with an attorney, I will be happy to do that also.

Mr. Montgomery.

I don't know any reason why I would need to consult with one.

Mr. Griffin.

Okay. Do you want to raise your right hand? Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are going to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Mr. Montgomery.

I do.

Mr. Griffin.

All right, will you state for the record your full name?

Mr. Montgomery.

Leslie Dell [spelling] D-e-l-1 Montgomery.

Mr. Griffin.

How old are you, Mr. Montgomery?

Mr. Montgomery.

30.

Mr. Griffin.

Where do you live?

Mr. Montgomery.

9043 Anaconda, here in Dallas.

Mr. Griffin.

What is your occupation?

Mr. Montgomery.

Police officer.