With that one variation, all the questions asked during that series were identical with those discussed before you left the room.

Mr. Herndon.

My apologies, gentlemen, but it was an irrelevant question. Mr. Ruby, we shall now proceed to what we call series No. 3. Here again these questions are going to be intermixed, some rather pertinent to what we're interested in here, others general questions. Let me go over the relevant questions, first, Mr. Ruby.
"Between the assassination and the shooting, did anybody you know tell you they knew Oswald?"

Mr. Ruby.

No.

Mr. Specter.

Now, you understand, Mr. Ruby, when he says "the shooting," that means the shooting of Oswald?

Mr. Ruby.

Repeat that over again--let me hear it again.

Mr. Herndon.

I think you realized that, but I want to make certain that you understand, and I want to go back and break down that question--between the assassination of President Kennedy and the shooting---now, the shooting I mean is the shooting of Oswald?

Mr. Ruby.

Oh, yes--yes--the answer is "No."

Mr. Herndon.

I realize you understood the question, but the shooting in some other person's mind could be many things. I want to keep these sentences as concise and short as possible.
"Did anybody you know tell you they knew Oswald?"

Mr. Ruby.

No.

Mr. Herndon.

Do you understand the question, Mr. Ruby?

Mr. Ruby.

Right.

Mr. Herndon.

"Did you tell anyone that you were thinking of shooting Oswald before you did it?"

Mr. Ruby.

No.

Mr. Herndon.

Is that question all right, do you understand it?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes--I take that back. Sunday morning--I want to elaborate on that--before I left my apartment--it evidently didn't register with the person because of the way I said it. In other words, the whole basis of this whole thing was that Mrs. Kennedy would have to come back for trial.

Mr. Fowler.

Jack, let me ask you at this time excuse my interruption, but why don't you just address yourself to the general questions that are asked you. I think it's all right.

Mr. Ruby.

All right.

Mr. Fowler.

I don't think it will help the Commission, and this may be in the form of a question later on, but just confine your answer to "Yes" or "No."

Mr. Ruby.

Well, the thing is this--I have to answer--ask me the question again.

Mr. Herndon.

Let's go over it once more, Mr. Ruby, and I want you to be able to be in a position that you can freely, honestly, and truthfully answer it simply "Yes" or "No."

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

Now, if there's something in here in this area that troubles you, we can rephrase the question.

Mr. Ruby.

Will you specify the time---the time element is very important.

Mr. Herndon.

The only time element is before before you did it. Now, "before" is a very broad coverage?

Mr. Ruby.

That's it. That's a difficult question to answer.

Mr. Herndon.

That's the way the question is worded. Let me ask it again and see if you want to discuss it. "Did you tell anyone that you were thinking of shooting Oswald before you did it?"

Mr. Ruby.

[no response].

Mr. Herndon.

If you want me to reword that question, I'll take it up with Mr. Specter.

Mr. Ruby.

Why don't you say this--"that Sunday morning, specifically?" That would be easier for me to answer.

Mr. Herndon.

In other words, "Did you tell anyone you were thinking of shooting Oswald on Sunday morning?"