Mr. Belin.

Were there any exceptions to this, that you could remember, or was this almost invariably the case?

Mr. Graves.

Well, that was the case in everything that I heard him say. He didn't hunt for words, didn't hesitate at all.

Mr. Belin.

Detective Graves, is there anything else you can think of that might be relevant to this area of inquiry which involves anything to do with Lee Harvey Oswald or the investigation of the assassination, or the shooting of Officer Tippit, that we haven't discussed here?

Mr. Graves.

At this point, I don't recall anything else.

Mr. Belin.

Well, we certainly appreciate your cooperation, doubly so, because we know you have been down here once before, and I want to tell you that you have a right, if you would like, to read the transcript of this deposition and sign it and make any corrections that you wish, or you can just have the reporter ship it to us directly in Washington, and waive the signing, whatever you want to do? Do you have any preference at all?

Mr. Graves.

Well, if I don't sign it, it won't make any difference anyway.

Mr. Belin.

You can waive it if you would like to.

Mr. Graves.

I will waive it. It don't make any difference to me.

Mr. Belin.

All right.

Mr. Graves.

In the interest of time and everything.

Mr. Belin.

Thanks a lot.

-------------------------------
James R. Leavelle

Testimony of James R. Leavelle

The testimony of James R. Leavelle was taken at 9:30 a.m., on April 7, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Messrs. Joseph A. Ball and Samuel A. Stern, assistant counsel of the President's Commission. Robert T. Davis, assistant attorney general, was present.

Mr. Ball.

Mr. Leavelle, will you stand and raise your right hand?
[Witness complying.]

Mr. Ball.

Do you solemnly swear the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Leavelle.

I do.

Mr. Ball.

Will you state you name, please?

Mr. Leavelle.

James R. Leavelle.

Mr. Ball.

And your address?

Mr. Leavelle.

7703 R-i-l-l-a [spelling], Dallas, Tex.

Mr. Ball.

And, what is your occupation?

Mr. Leavelle.

Detective, Dallas Police Department.

Mr. Ball.

How long have you been on the department?

Mr. Leavelle.

Fourteen years.

Mr. Ball.

How long have you been in the homicide squad?

Mr. Leavelle.

A little over 5 years.

Mr. Ball.

Tell me about where you were born and your education; what you have done most of your life.

Mr. Leavelle.

Well, I was born and raised mostly in Red River County in east Texas and went into service. After leaving the service, coming out of the service I worked for different companies here in Dallas until I Joined the department in 1950.

Mr. Ball.

The purpose of our inquiry here is to find out facts concerning the assassination of President Kennedy. That's the general purpose of it.

Mr. Leavelle.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

You took part in the investigation, did you not, as a member of the Dallas Police Department?

Mr. Leavelle.

A minor part you might say. I didn't have much to do with Oswald, myself.

Mr. Ball.

Well, you talked to some of the witnesses, didn't you?

Mr. Leavelle.

Yes.