Mr. Liebeler.

testimony of witnesses. Did you receive Mr. Rankin's letter and those documents?

Mrs. Smith.

Yes; I did.

Mr. Liebeler.

One of the areas of inquiry of the Commission relates to the background and possible motive of Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of the President. We understand that you knew Lee Oswald at some point while he was living here in New Orleans. Before we get into the details of that, however, I would like to have you state your name for the record, if you will.

Mrs. Smith.

Bennierita Smith.

Mr. Liebeler.

You are married? Is that correct?

Mrs. Smith.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Liebeler.

What was your name before you were married?

Mrs. Smith.

Sparacio. My maiden name?

Mr. Liebeler.

Yes.

Mrs. Smith.

Sparacio, S-p-a-r-a-c-i-o.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where do you live?

Mrs. Smith.

3522 Delambert in Chalmette.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where and when were you born?

Mrs. Smith.

I was born in New Orleans the 20th of January 1940.

Mr. Liebeler.

Would you outline for us your educational background, please.

Mrs. Smith.

Starting from kindergarten?

Mr. Liebeler.

Yes.

Mrs. Smith.

Well, I went to St. Dominic's. That is on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview. Then I went--it was either the third or fourth grade I transferred to Lakeview School, and then when I finished Lakeview School I went on to Beauregard, and from there to Warren Easton, and that is all the schooling I have had.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you graduate from Warren Easton High School?

Mrs. Smith.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Liebeler.

When did you graduate?

Mrs. Smith.

1958.

Mr. Liebeler.

Am I correct in understanding that you attended Beauregard Junior High School at the same time that Lee Oswald did?

Mrs. Smith.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you know Lee Oswald at the time you both attended Beauregard Junior High School?

Mrs. Smith.

Well, I knew him from seeing him walk around school, and well, I guess I could remember him so much because he was always getting in fights with people, but as far as really knowing him well outside of school, you know, seeing him, I don't.

Mr. Liebeler.

Well, now you mentioned that he was always getting in fights?

Mrs. Smith.

Yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

Will you tell us what you know about that?

Mrs. Smith.

One fight really impressed me, I guess because there was this boy--he wasn't going to Beauregard, this boy he had the fight with, and he was a little guy. I think his name was Robin Riley. He hit Lee, and his tooth came through his lip.

Mr. Liebeler.

Through the upper part of his lip?

Mrs. Smith.

Oh, gee, I don't know whether it was a bottom----

Mr. Liebeler.

But it actually tore the lip?

Mrs. Smith.

Yes; it actually tore the lip, and I remember--what is that boy's name?--the blond fellow that was on television that knew him so well?

Mr. Liebeler.

Are you thinking of Edward Voebel?

Mrs. Smith.

That is him.

Mr. Liebeler.

V-o-e-b-e-l?

Mrs. Smith.

He took him back in school, and I guess they kind of patched his lip up, but he was--he more or less kept to himself, he didn't mix with the other kids in school other than Voebel. He is the only one I remember. And they had this little boy--I think it was Bobby Newman--he used to take around with, but I don't remember too much about him either. I can remember he was little, he was short.

Mr. Liebeler.

Who was?