(Testimony of Raymond Franklin Krystinik)
Mr. Krystinik.
the rifle had possibly been stored at his home, that he had moved in his garage some sort of heavy object about this long wrapped up in a blanket, and he had the impression when he moved it this was some sort of camping equipment, and that it was considerably heavier than camping equipment he had been dealing with, and it never occurred to him it might be a gun or rifle that had been broken down.
Mr. Liebeler.
Would you indicate approximately how long the package was?
Mr. Krystinik.
He said something about like that [indicating].
Mr. Liebeler.
How long would you say that was?
Mr. Krystinik.
Looking at it, I would say 26 or 28 inches. Maybe 30 inches.
Mr. Liebeler.
[Measuring]. The witness indicates a length of approximately 27 inches.
Mr. Krystinik.
Michael might have had his hands up 2 or 3 inches different from that.
Mr. Liebeler.
To the best of your recollection, Michael indicated the length of about 27 inches?
Mr. Krystinik.
Yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
He told you that he did not suspect at any time prior to the assassination that this package contained a rifle, is that correct?
Mr. Krystinik.
That's correct. Or a gun. He didn't state rifle in reference to the weapon.
Michael had commented briefly that he had never had a gun or would not have a gun in his house. He is opposed. I would assume he is opposed to killing men. I know he is opposed to killing animals, and he doesn't believe in violence at all.
Mr. Liebeler.
Aside from this remark that you made about Michael Paine, is there anything else that you can think of that you would like to tell us in connection with either the assassination or Michael Paine at this point?
Mr. Krystinik.
Nothing I can think of now. I have taken enough of your time. I can't really think of anything that is concrete from beginning to end that I feel would help you. I don't know of anything that is important.
Mr. Liebeler.
How well do you know Ruth Paine?
Mr. Krystinik.
We have been to her house once. We have been to the Dallas Dollar Concert with he and Ruth one time. We have had her at our house twice. Actually I can't say that I know her real well. I feel that I know Michael fairly well.
Mr. Liebeler.
You don't really know Ruth well? Well enough to make any judgment about her character?
Mr. Krystinik.
Only when I have talked to her, I had an impression I have been talking to an extremely sincere and very warm person.
I felt that if she had done something, she is of such a type she would say, "I did it." That is the impression I have about her. I don't know her well enough to make judgment upon her. I don't know Michael well enough to judge him. All I know of him is the association I had with him at work and the little bit I have had with him in my home. I don't actually know what he does on his off time, but in my association with him at work and what I know of him at home, I have actually come to love him as much as I love my brother.
Mr. Liebeler.
Based upon your knowledge of both of the Paines, you have no reason to suspect them of any involvement of any kind in the assassination, do you?
Mr. Krystinik.
Only as victims of a very cruel twist of fate, that is all I can say, and that they are in that position because of their charity. I think it is a vexatious, cruel reward for charity, to be associated with the people, or to harbor the wife of the assassin--I won't say harbor--I don't say she had anything to do with it. Michael told me that Oswald visited the Paine residence on weekends.
Mr. Liebeler.
I don't have any more questions at this time. Unless you have something else you want to add we shall terminate the questioning. Thank you, Mr. Krystinik.
Let me indicate that the witness is willing to waive signature of the transcript, is that so?
Mr. Krystinik.
Yes, sir.
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