Mr. Herndon.

Perhaps to set the record straight, Mr. Specter, I might mention that my colleague, Special Agent Wood, is not actually a polygraph examiner, but he is here to assist me in this examination. Is that all right?

Mr. Specter.

Yes, that's fine to specify that exact status.

Mr. Herndon.

He is here to assist me and to help me in the interrogation of this gentleman.

Mr. Specter.

Mr. Herndon, before you start on the questioning, we will want to put Mr. Ruby under oath, so pause at that point, but proceed now to explain what is going to happen.

Mr. Herndon.

Mr. Ruby, actually prior to any polygraph examination which the Federal Bureau of Investigation gives to anyone, we have a consent form that I want to read to you, and as I want to remind you, of course, you have been advised of your rights, and there is no sense of my going over it again, but I want to remind you that your counsel and your attorneys are here.

I will now read to you this consent form that we use as a standard procedure on this type of examination.
"Consent to Interview with Polygraph. I, Jack L Ruby"--I believe that's the way you sign your name?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

"I, Jack L. Ruby, consent freely and voluntarily to be interviewed by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which I also know as the FBI, in connection with the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy investigation. I agree to the use of the polygraph or so-called lie detector during this interview or any part of it, and I am willing to be present at the time and place of interview for such time as is necessary to complete the interview.
"No threats or promises of any kind have been made to me to obtain my consent to this interview."
Now, I can let you read that if you would like or your attorney might like to read it.

Mr. Ruby.

That's perfectly all right.

Mr. Herndon.

If it's agreeable with you, I would appreciate it if you would sign it, Mr. Ruby, if that's agreeable with your counsel?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

And Mr. Wood and I will witness that.

Mr. Ruby.

Do you want it "Jack Ruby" or "Jack L. Ruby"?

Mr. Herndon.

You sign it as you usually sign, but do you want to read it any further, sir?

Mr. Ruby.

I'll just sign it.
(Mr. Ruby at this time signed the instrument referred to, which was thereafter signed by witnesses Special Agents Herndon and Wood.)

Mr. Ruby.

Did you get your pants sewed up, Joe?

Mr. Tonahill.

It went through to my leg.

Mr. Ruby.

That was a pretty rough brawl we had, wasn't it, Joe?

Mr. Tonahill.

Yes.

Mr. Ruby.

Joe, I'd appreciate it if you weren't in the room. Can I ask you to leave, Joe?

Mr. Tonahill.

I'll be glad to leave, if you want me to, Jack.

Mr. Ruby.

As a matter of fact, I prefer Bill Alexander to you, you're supposed to be my friend.

Mr. Tonahill.

Let the record show that Mr. Ruby says he prefers Bill Alexander being here during this investigation, who is the assistant district attorney who asked that a jury give him the death sentence, to myself, who asked the jury to acquit him, his attorney.

Mr. Herndon.

May we proceed?

Mr. Specter.

Please do, Mr. Herndon.

Mr. Herndon.

Mr. Ruby, as you know, we have a doctor here, and before we begin anything, I want you to try to relax. I realize that there is some tension here, and before we proceed any further, I want to ask you very generally, how do you feel today, right now, specifically speaking?