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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XIV - Page 565« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Jack L. Ruby)

Mr. Ruby.
Kennedy, or didn't vote at all, that I should build up such a great affection for him, when everything points against me. For instance, the parade issue I referred to. How can I answer that and still show my sincerity or my feelings and why I was carried away so emotionally to do something like that, that has put me in such serious trouble?
Mr. Alexander.
Jack, there's no way to put that on the machine other than to ask you if you told the truth in your testimony; and that's an opinion without concrete facts.
Mr. Ruby.
But I don't remember if I got all the testimony in when Warren was here.
Mr. Specter.
You testify now as to anything you want to add and we can ask you one question at the end and that will be "Have you told the truth in everything you've said here today?" That one question will cover everything you said, so that if any other phase comes to your mind now, let us hear about it.
Mr. Ruby.
What I'm trying to bring out is this: It's--and everyone was very much surprised--why should I be carried away so emotionally to commit the act, and yet knowing how I felt and knowing I know I'm telling the truth, how can we bring that point out that I am not sincere in why I did it?
Mr. Specter.
We can bring that out with the one general question. Now, is there any other topic you would like to testify about and have us check you on your truthfulness?
Mr. Ruby.
Yes--whether or not I was ever mixed up with the underworld here or involved in any crime?
Mr. Specter.
You've been asked that specifically, and you've testified about that.
Mr. Ruby.
Yes. You see, I've been in Dallas 17 years and yet suddenly I get involved in a very serious crime and I was very popular with the police department and a lot of other people, and the irony is--it took a complete reverse of that, because of various suspicions, nature, and so on.
I wonder if you follow what I'm trying to bring out? Maybe there's something we can cover in that area.
Mr. Alexander.
Jack, let's cover it this way. "Were any of your relations with the police department improper?"
Mr. Ruby.
No--you, like doing business or something or other?
Mr. Alexander.
Yes?
Mr. Ruby.
No--none whatsoever.
Mr. Alexander.
Well, would that question cover what you had in mind?
Mr. Ruby.
No.
Mr. Alexander.
Tell us what you had in mind and then we'll frame the question, because that's an area.
Mr. Ruby.
Whether or not I am of criminal background or whether I'm an honest and sincere person, because all those things came out and suspicions came out that Jack Ruby was involved in this and that and leaves a lot of suspicion as to my background and my character. That's very vague, but that's what I'm trying to bring out.
Mr. Alexander.
How would this question be? "Are you a police character?"
Mr. Ruby.
No.
Mr. Tonahill.
"Are you a 100 percent patriotic American citizen?"
Mr. Alexander.
"Are you a law-abiding citizen?"
Mr. Ruby.
That's better--that's the question.
Mr. Alexander.
"Are you a law-abiding patriotic citizen?"
Mr. Ruby.
Yes.
Mr. Tonahill.
"Are you a 100 percent American patriotic citizen?"
Mr. Ruby.
Yes.
Mr. Herndon.
That can be asked.
Mr. Ruby.
That's very good, because shall I elaborate on this?
Mr. Specter.
Yes.
Mr. Ruby.
I became closely attached to our beloved President when he gave that wonderful speech when we had our problem in Cuba at that time. That was a very tremendous speech and then I followed him on television and in magazines wherever he went--to Ireland and different places.
Now, Joe asked a very good question. In other words, either you are American
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