(Testimony of Raymond Franklin Krystinik)
Mr. Krystinik.
the Oswald fellow had been captured, had had a pistol with him, and Michael used some expression, I have forgotten exactly what the expression was, and then he said, "The stupid," something, I have forgotten. It wasn't a complimentary thing. He said, "He is not even supposed to have a gun."
And that I can quote, "He is not even supposed to have a gun." Or, "Not even supposed to own a gun," I have forgotten.
We talked about it a little bit more, about how or why or what would the reasons be behind, that he would have absolutely nothing to gain, he could hurt himself and the nation, but couldn't gain anything personal, and we discussed it.
That immediately ruled out the John Birch, but why would the Communists want him dead, and Michael couldn't imagine whether it was a plot or a rash action by the man himself. He didn't know which it could be. He said he didn't know. And he called home then to Ruth.
Mr. Liebeler.
Before we get into that, you specifically remember that Michael said that Oswald was not even supposed to have a gun?
Mr. Krystinik.
Yes, sir; I remember that.
Mr. Liebeler.
Do you remember those exact words?
Mr. Krystinik.
Yes. He could have said, "Oswald doesn't own a gun." That could be. That could be. The exact thing is cloudy a little bit.
Mr. Liebeler.
What is your best recollection on the point?
Mr. Krystinik.
My best recollection is, "He is not supposed to have a gun," or something in that vicinity. That is the best I remember right now.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you have the impression----
Mr. Krystinik.
Now that you mentioned to me that he isn't supposed to own that gun, it is possible that he did say that, but the way I remember is that he said "He is not supposed to have a gun."
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you get the impression at that time that Michael had any foreknowledge of Oswald's possible involvement?
Mr. Krystinik.
None at all. I felt it hit him as a big shock.
Mr. Liebeler.
Now you said that you were the first one to mention Oswald's name?
Mr. Krystinik.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
The basic reason you mentioned it was because you had associated his name with the Texas School Book Depository?
Mr. Krystinik.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
Is there any other reason why you thought of Oswald in connection with the assassination?
Mr. Krystinik.
Oh, it might possibly be; I can't really tell you, it was all just everything was going that way, and it was a trying thing of oppression and worry at that particular time.
It may be that he is the only Communist I have ever been introduced to, that I knew was possibly a Communist or Marxist, or whatever they are, and he was the only villain I could think of at the time, possibly. And I didn't really feel that he was a villain. I didn't really feel it was him, but he was the only person I knew connected with the Communist Party, and if the Communist Party should be associated with something, his was the name that came to my mind, possibly.
I feel the correlation came through the fact that Michael had told me about him getting a job at the Texas School Depository, and when I heard the name again, I feel that was the correlation that brought his name to my mind. A lot of these things, I don't know where or how they come to mind.
Mr. Liebeler.
After you heard that Oswald had been apprehended in connection with the slaying of Officer Tippit, did you and Michael Paine then associate Oswald with the assassination of the President?
Mr. Krystinik.
I did, and I feel that Michael did also.
Mr. Liebeler.
What did you and Michael say to each other just very shortly after the word had come through?
Mr. Krystinik.
I can't really remember. Michael said that he felt that he should be going home, that Ruth and Marina are both going to be muchly upset and there was going to be people at the house asking questions, and he felt he should be there to answer them. He did say, if I can answer, "I feel I should be there."
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