(Testimony of Mrs. Frank H. (Valentina) Ray)
Mr. Liebeler.
Can you tell us how that conversation came up and what said?
Mrs. Ray.
I think she asked me how I came over and I told her. I asked her how did she. I don't think I asked how she met Lee; I just--what did she tell me? Isn't it funny, I don't remember. She might have said something.
I don't remember if she did or not. I think I did ask how they met and I cannot quite place where they did meet. Isn't that funny? This is just few weeks ago--me and my brain, but I know they said they went little together while and she fell in love with him.
Mr. Liebeler.
Could you tell us what your first name is?
Mrs. Ray.
My first name is Valentina.
Mr. Liebeler.
You never got the impression that Marina married Oswald just to get out of Russia, did you?
Mrs. Ray.
Well, she never said in so many words but I imagine that had a lot to do with it.
Mr. Liebeler.
What do you mean when you say you "imagine"?
Mrs. Ray.
If you ever lived in Russia, believe you me, you grab first chance get out of there if you halfway smart. After Americans came into Germany I had chance to go back to Russia. I chose to stay in Germany. I was so young when I left but I still know that life in Germany was far superior to Russian. I decided of my own free will not to go back to Russia. I could have very easily but did not want to.
Mr. Liebeler.
So, your thought that Marina might have had that in her mind when she married Oswald is based on your own experience?
Mrs. Ray.
Yes; in Russia, girl would be more than glad marry an American and come over here. Yes; I base it strictly on my own experience.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you form an opinion of Oswald himself as a result of your acquaintance?
Mrs. Ray.
Yes; I thought he was rather arrogant and I did not think he was even--I did not think him too intelligent and terribly unfriendly and very much of a loner. He did not seem to care for anybody. He did not talk to anybody. You get the impression he does not like you even though you did not do anything or speak two words to him.
Mr. Liebeler.
Were you surprised when you heard he had been arrested in connection with the assassination?
Mrs. Ray.
When I saw it on television, I almost fainted. I could not believe it. It was terrible surprise. My reaction is "My God, it's Lee Oswald" when I saw his picture. First I heard name; they said. they suspected Lee Oswald and for moment, I could not connect name but I know I heard it. some place and when I saw his picture, that is first I knew he was back in Dallas. I knew they moved to New Orleans. I had not heard they were back in Dallas. Of course, I immediately called Mrs. Ford and talked to her about that. I said, "Do you know it's Lee Oswald?" She said, "Yes; I know." I was terribly, terribly surprised it was him.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did Mrs. Ford seem to be surprised?
Mrs. Ray.
She was just as shocked as I was. I must say when I knew Lee he did not strike me as assassination type but then I knew him so shortly. It is not if I knew him for long time. I had no way form any kind of opinion what kind of person he was.
Mr. Liebeler.
But he never struck you at that time as being dangerous or prone to violence?
Mrs. Ray.
I thought he was just capable of striking his wife because he was striking his wife. I think I resented him from the first time when I heard he . struck his wife. I resent any man, of course. I probably met him not liking him to start out with for that simple reason that he struck Marina.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you or your husband ever give any money to the Oswalds?
Mrs. Ray.
No.
Mr. Liebeler.
You said you gave some baby clothes?
Mrs. Ray.
Baby clothes, yes; they were used baby clothes I just gathered from my friends and whatever I had left. See, I had small children, too. I have three, 8, 6, and 4 and at that time my 2-year-old, little boy, she could wear all underthings. She could wear corduroy pants and stuff like that.
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