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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VII - Page 267« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of James R. Leavelle)

Mr. Leavelle.
Cuba would be changed since the President been assassinated. To my knowledge, that is the only one I can recall.
Mr. Ball.
What did Oswald say?
Mr. Leavelle.
Oswald turned and asked Captain Fritz, said "I am filed on for the President's murder, is that right?" And, Captain Fritz told him yes, and he told Mr. Kelley, he said "Under the circumstances, I don't believe that it would be proper." That might. not be the words he used, but wouldn't be right, anyway, for him to answer that question because whatever he said might be construed in a different light than what he actually meant it to be, but he went on to say he felt like when the head of any government died or was killed, whatever, there was always a second in command who would take over and he said in this particular instance it would be Johnson. He said "So far as I know, Johnson's views and President Kennedy's views are the same", so, he would see no particular difference in the attitude of the U.S. Government toward Cuba. That's about the main--the only one, because he went into such detail on it, the only one I thought was a little elaborate for him to go into that type of answer, the reason I remembered it.
Mr. Ball.
Do you remember any question Captain Fritz asked him?
Mr. Leavelle.
I remember that the captain asked him about the shooting of the President and the shooting of the officer I know he did ask him that and I know Oswald did deny it, both times.
Mr. Ball.
That he had shot President Kennedy and Tippit?
Mr. Leavelle.
Yes; he denied shooting either one. He did say this "If you want me to 'cop' out to hitting or pleading guilty to hitting a cop in the mouth when I was arrested", he said "Yeah, I plead guilty to that" but he I do know that he denied the shooting of both the President and Tippit.
Mr. Ball.
In that meeting did he ask for a lawyer?
Mr. Leavelle.
No; I know Captain Fritz asked him if at one time, if--he handed him a telegram--in fact, I believe it was sent by some attorney, if my memory serves me right, and he said he did not particularly want him but he would take that and if he didn't do any better he would contact him at a later time. I do not recall what lawyer it was. It seems like some lawyer in the East sent the telegram volunteering his services to Oswald.
Mr. Ball.
That is there on Sunday morning, the 24th?
Mr. Leavelle.
Yes.
Mr. Ball.
In the course of this meeting which you have been describing----
Mr. Leavelle.
Yes.
Mr. Ball.
What did Oswald say?
Mr. Leavelle.
He said that he preferred--he never had gotten in touch with this lawyer in New York City that represented the American Civil Liberties Union and he wanted to get in touch with him and said if he didn't do any better, or could not get him, he would like to talk with this man about it.
Mr. Ball.
Can you remember any other questions asked Oswald by Captain Fritz?
Mr. Leavelle.
No, not offhand; I would probably remember them if I heard the questions but I do not remember offhand.
Mr. Ball.
Did anybody talk to him about the post office box?
Mr. Leavelle.
Yes; Mr. Kelley asked him several questions and probably Mr. Sorrels about the post office box, both here and one he had in Shreveport--wherever it was.
Mr. Ball.
New Orleans?
Mr. Leavelle.
New Orleans, yes.
Mr. Ball.
Do you remember what Oswald said?
Mr. Leavelle.
Since you mentioned it, I do remember them talking to him about the New Orleans box and asking him about this other name, this----
Mr. Ball.
Alek Hidell?
Mr. Leavelle.
Yes; and he asked him if he knew Alek Hidell; said he didn't know if he ever heard of the name. He never heard of that and asked him several questions along that line and then after he had denied all knowledge of Alek Hidell, Mr. Kelley asked him, said "Well, isn't it a fact when you were arrested you had an identification card with his name on it in your possession."
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