Mr. Redlich.

contents of this letter, and if I have summarized it inaccurately, just say so. This letter requests that the death penalty not be applied to Jack Ruby, the person who has been charged with the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald. Is that inaccurate?

Mr. Martin.

No; that is correct.

Mr. Redlich.

That is a correct summary of the contents of the letter?

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Redlich.

Do you recall to whom that letter was written?

Mr. Martin.

She originally wrote the letter to Melvin Belli.

Mr. Redlich.

By "she" you mean Marina Oswald?

Mr. Martin.

Marina. I advised her against--

Mr. Redlich.

Melvin Belli?

Mr. Martin.

Is the attorney for Jack Ruby. I advised her against such an action, because of the possibility of the letter itself in translating from Russian to English being misinterpreted and used in a manner that might be derogatory to Marina Oswald. I suggested that she send this letter to Henry Wade who would be the prosecutor in the case. Now whether she changed the salutation on the letter I don't know. I can't read Russian. And the salutation was not translated in the translation. The translation was made by Katya Ford.

Mr. Redlich.

To the best of your knowledge has this letter ever been sent to anyone?

Mr. Martin.

No sir, it hasn't.

Mr. Dulles.

You say it has not been?

Mr. Martin.

It has not been.

Mr. Dulles.

That is your belief or you have knowledge that it has not been?

Mr. Martin.

I have the original. Now if a letter has been sent, it would be a different letter.

Mr. Redlich.

On the basis of your knowledge of Marina Oswald's handwriting, would you tell the Commission whether you believe that this letter is in her handwriting?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, it is. I also observed her writing the letter.

Mr. Redlich.

Are you aware of the fact that Marina Oswald discussed this letter when she appeared before this Commission?

Mr. Martin.

I believe you mentioned it sometime today.

Mr. Redlich.

Were you aware of it prior to your coming here?

Mr. Martin.

No.

Mr. Redlich.

Do you know why it has not been sent?

Mr. Martin.

She decided that it was best not to be sent unless she actually thought that Ruby was going to get the death penalty. Actually a letter like that should go to the Governor of the State.

Mr. Redlich.

Mr. Martin, do you have any additional information concerning the assassination of President Kennedy, Marina Oswald, or the assassination of her husband Lee Harvey Oswald which you would like to present before this Commission at this time?

Mr. Martin.

No, I don't think so. Nothing.

Mr. Redlich.

If it would be helpful for the work of this Commission for you to return to Washington and appear again before this Commission, would you be willing to do so?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Redlich.

Mr. Chairman, I have no further questions of this witness, unless Mr. Rankin does or you do.

Mr. Dulles.

I would just like to ask a question about this letter I am just glancing over. Where did this letter paper come from? Is that some personal paper with a tree on it?

Mr. Martin.

Yes. I bought that.

Mr. Dulles.

You bought it for her?

Mr. Martin.

At a drug store, yes, sir, at a drug store in Arlington.

Mr. Dulles.

Is this another draft or is this just a copy?

Mr. Martin.

This is the original of the copy.

Mr. Redlich.

We have photographed what is now Commission Exhibit No. 333 and we are keeping the photostat. Mr. Martin, you will recall that at the start of today's proceedings Chief Justice Warren read into the record a copy