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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. V - Page 206« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Mr. Jack Ruby)

Mr. Ruby.
Chief Justice WARREN. Alfred was killed in a taxi in New York.
Mr. Ruby.
He was at this dinner meeting I had with McCord. I don't know if Mrs. McWillie was along. And one of the Fox brothers, because they had just been awarded the case that this person owns, this Gin Co., that was compelled to pay off.
Mr. Rankin.
I think, Mr. Ruby, it would be quite helpful to the Commission if you could tell, as you recall it, just what you said to Mr. Sorrels and the others after the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald. Can you recall that?
Mr. Ruby.
The only one I recall Mr. Sorrels in, there were some incorrect statements made at this time.
Mr. Rankin.
Can you tell us what you said?
Congressman FORD. First, tell us when this took place.
Mr. Rankin.
How soon after the shooting occurred?
Mr. Ruby.
Well, Ray Hall was the first one that interrogated me. Wanted to know my whole background.
Mr. Rankin.
Can you tell us how soon it was? Within a few minutes after the shooting?
Mr. Ruby.
No; I waited in a little room there somewhere upstairs in--I don't know what floor it was. I don't recall.
Mr. Rankin.
Where did this occur, on the third floor?
Mr. Ruby.
One of those floors. I don't know whether it was the third or second. If you are up on an elevator----
Mr. Rankin.
Can you give us any idea of the time after the shooting?
Mr. Ruby.
I spent an hour with Mr. Hall, Ray Hall. And I was very much, I was very much broken up emotionally, and I constantly repeated that I didn't want Mrs. Kennedy to come back to trial, and those were my words, constantly repeated to Mr. Hall.
And I heard there was a statement made--now I am skipping--and then I gave Mr. Hall my complete background about things he wanted to know, my earlier background going back from the years, and I guess there was nothing else to say to Hall because as long as I stated why I did it--it is not like planning a crime and you are confessing something. I already confessed, and all it took is one sentence why I did it.
Now what else could I have said that you think I could have said? Refresh my memory a little bit.
Mr. Rankin.
There was a conversation with Mr. Sorrels in which you told him about the matter. Do you remember that?
Mr. Ruby.
The only thing I ever recall I said to Mr. Ray Hall and Sorrels was, I said, "Being of Jewish faith, I wanted to show my love for my President and his lovely wife."
After I said whatever I said, then a statement came out that someone introduced Mr. Sorrels to me and I said, "What are you, a newsman?" Or something to that effect. Which is really--what I am trying to say is, the way it sounded is like I was looking for publicity and inquiring if you are a newsman, I wanted to see you.
But I am certain--I don't recall definitely, but I know in my right mind, because I know my motive for doing it, and certainly to gain publicity to take a chance of being mortally wounded, as I said before, and who else could have timed it so perfectly by seconds.
If it were timed that way, then someone in the police department is guilty of giving the information as to when Lee Harvey Oswald was coming down.
I never made a statement. I never inquired from the television man what time is Lee Harvey Oswald coming down. Because really, a man in his right mind would never ask that question. I never made the statement "I wanted to get three more off. Someone had to do it. You wouldn't do it." I never made those statements.
I never called the man by any obscene name, because as I stated earlier, there was no malice in me. He was insignificant, to my feelings for my love for Mrs. Kennedy and our beloved President. He was nothing comparable to them, so I can't explain it.
I never used any words--as a matter of fact, there were questions at the hearing with Roy Pryor and a few others--I may have used one word "a little
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