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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. X - Page 57« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Francis L Martello)

Mr. Liebeler.
Did you form an opinion during the time that you interviewed Oswald as to whether or not, he was telling you the truth about the matters that you questioned him about and reported in your memorandum?
Mr. Martello.
He did give me the impression that--in the majority of the interview--that it was the truth.
Mr. Liebeler.
Now specifically--off the record.
(Discussion off the record.)
Mr. Liebeler.
In your report you indicated that Oswald told you that he had become interested in the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1958 while in the U.S. Marine Corps. Is that correct?
Mr. Martello.
That is correct, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you have the feeling that he was telling you the truth about that particular aspect of the interview, or do you have any recollection as to that specific aspect of it?
Mr. Martello.
I wouldn't know exactly, to my recollection, whether or not he was being truthful in that particular area.
Mr. Liebeler.
In the next paragraph--go ahead--are you through?
Mr. Martello.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
In the next paragraph of your report, you indicate that Oswald told you that there were about 35 members of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee here in New Orleans. Did you have any reason to question that statement?
Mr. Martello.
I didn't believe it was a true Statement because of the fact that there was very little activity, to my knowledge, of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in the city of New Orleans, and since it was such a new organization, or which appeared to me to be a new organization in the city, it didn't seem likely there would be 35 members in the community.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you ever become aware of the existence of any other member of the group in New Orleans----
Mr. Martello.
No, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
Other than Oswald?
Mr. Martello.
No; other than information that had been developed that there were some possible connections. However, there was no basis in fact that any other person, to my knowledge, was a member of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. This particular man, Oswald, was the first person that I have come in contact with that I knew for a fact stated he was a member of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.
Mr. Liebeler.
He is not only the first person you came in contact with who indicated he was a member of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, but he is the only one that you ever saw or heard of in the city of New Orleans? Is that correct?
Mr. Martello.
That is correct.
Mr. Liebeler.
After this affair with Oswald, as far as you know, there was no other activity by the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans? Is that correct?
Mr. Martello.
The only other activity that I could recall was a passing out of leaflets. Again this was by Oswald, and that was the only other time I have known of any activities by this group.
Mr. Liebeler.
You know that Oswald appeared on a radio program broadcast over WDSU and appeared briefly on a television broadcast over the same station in connection with his activities?
Mr. Martello.
I have read an account in the local newspaper to that effect. However, I did not hear the radio broadcast or see the TV program.
Mr. Liebeler.
Was that account in the paper before or after the assassination? Do you remember?
Mr. Martello.
That was before the assassination.
Mr. Liebeler.
Your report refers to a professor at Tulane University by the name of Dr. Leonard Reissman. Did the department, to your knowledge, conduct any investigation of Dr. Reissman in an attempt to associate him with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee or to determine whether or not he was associated with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee here in New Orleans?
Mr. Martello.
Not to my knowledge, sir.
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