(Testimony of Stanley M. Kaufman)
Mr. Kaufman.
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I think that Jack, notwithstanding what I read in the Dallas Morning News today, was acting on impulse. I think that he did something that many, many Americans--good red-blooded Americans would have done. I don't justify it. I don't condone it. I don't say it is the right thing to do. I have had a number of calls where people thought he should have gotten a medal.
I think there is certain testimony that should have been brought out that wasn't. I have questions about the defense of Jack Ruby as a lawyer. I have some feelings ,about statements that have been made about the oligarchy of Dallas. That's why I say to you, when you asked me if there is anything else I could say, I could certainly lend a lot of thought that I'm sure would have no bearing on it, but the only reason I'm making this statement is that I do feel that it's very difficult in reviewing depositions to get the same feeling you do when you look a person in the eyes; when you get to sit across from them you get to feel the warmth of a person, that notwithstanding the good work of a reporter, 'these things cannot be reflected in a written deposition, and in the Commission's later reading this--I'm just trying to reflect a little of my per-sonalilty so that they would know that I am not a vicious person and I am not a person who has any malice towards anyone. I mean, I personally as a lawyer and trained as a lawyer, think that the facts should be brought out, and I think that the .things that have motivated people in their testimony, whether it's before the Commission or otherwise, certainly is worthwhile. I think there have been tremendous pressures put on people involved in this case, whether it's me or anyone else. As I pointed out, the .tremendous pressures that were put on me those first few days because my name was mentioned, is what I refer to. think that there was tremendous pressure put on the lawyers who tried this case.
I think the Ruby family were not treated fairly in the opportunity of getting fair counsel. I think they had a very difficult time employing counsel locally. I think the fact that they had to go out of the State to get counsel is not because they wanted to go out of State. I think that they had many, many problems that I can't discuss with you because perhaps the relationship of client-attorney is involved. I believe there are many people who have been involved as lawyers who have had tremendous pressure put on them. I think that even the district attorney's office 'has been put under tremendous pressures, and this is an unfortunate situation, because if you believe in justice, if you believe in truth, if you beleieve in righteousness, you would say certainly that these things--you have to get these pressures taken off of you.
I have had many, many people tell me about the future of this appeal, that they feel that the pressures will have more to do with it than the law. I think this is wrong. I think that this case should be decided as a matter of law, not as a matter of prejudices or pressures, and I certainly think that the Commission should let the chips fall as they will, that they shouldn't be subjected to pressures. I don't think that those who are on it probably would be, but they are human beings and we all have human frailties. I think we can only take so much and I think this is What happened to Jack Ruby.
In closing, I would like to say this--that one of the things I have alluded to is this point about Jack not walking into a police station to make a sacrifice of himself with the money in his pocket. I think that fine physical facts--you can see premeditation on a man like Lee Oswald, but the fact that he had a planned method in this whole thing. In my opinion he had a plan not only of accomplishing his mission but of a getaway.
You take a man such as Jack, as I see this situation and as I have found from information that has been told to me, not by Jack but from outsiders, Jack could never have known the plan of removing Lee Oswald from the jail, that it had to be something that just happened. These physical facts are there and I'm sure the Commission has them.
Mr. Hubert.
I think you've mentioned to me that it is your opinion that as you knew Jack Ruby, he would not walk into jail-
Mr. Kaufman.
With several hundred dollars in his pocket.
Mr. Hubert.
Intending to shoot somebody with the certainty of being caught?
Mr. Kaufman.
That,s fight. Knowing Jack Ruby as I did, knowing his financial situation, I feel that if the story that I read in the paper this morning
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