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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VII - Page 314« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of James W. Bookhout)

Mr. Bookhout.
Yes.
Mr. Stern.
Conducted by Captain Fritz?
Mr. Bookhout.
That's correct.
Mr. Stern.
Do you recall who else was present, and you may refer any time to your reports to refresh your recollection.
Mr. Bookhout.
All right; that will be the interrogation that was in the presence of myself, T. J. Kelley of the U.S. Secret Service, David B. Grant U.S. Secret Service, Robert I. Nash, U.S. marshal, and Detectives Billy L. Senkel and Fay M. Turner from the homicide and robbery bureau, Dallas Police Department. This interview was conducted, primarily, by Captain Fritz.
Mr. Stern.
Did you ask any questions in the course of this interview?
Mr. Bookhout.
Yes.
Mr. Stern.
What were they, and what were the responses, if you recall?
Mr. Bookhout.
One specific question was with regard to the selective service card in the possession of Oswald bearing a photograph of Oswald and the name Alek James Hidell. Oswald admitted he carried this selective service card, but declined to state that he wrote the signature of Alek J. Hidell appearing on same. Further declined to state the purpose of carrying same, and---or any use he made of same.
Mr. Stern.
Did Oswald say anything in the course of this interview with regard to obtaining a lawyer?
Mr. Bookhout.
Yes, it was in this interview that he mentioned he wanted to contact Attorney Abt [spelling] A-b-t, New York City. I recall Captain Fritz asked him if he knew Abt personally and he said he did not, but he explained that he knew that Abt had defended the Smith Act cases in 1949, or 1950, and Captain Fritz asked him if he knew how to get ahold of Mr. Abt, and he stated that he did not know what his address was, but he was in New York.
I recall that Captain Fritz explained to him that he would allow him to place a long distance call for Abt, and he explained to Oswald how to ask the long distance operator to trace him down and locate him, even though Oswald didn't even know his address or telephone number.
Mr. Stern.
Did he actually make the call in your presence?
Mr. Bookhout.
No; he didn't make the call in my presence. The next interview that we had with him, I recall that Captain Fritz asked him if he had been able to contact Mr. Abt. Oswald stated that he had made the telephone call and thanked Captain Fritz for allowing him to make the call, but actually he had not been able to talk to Abt. He wasn't available. Wasn't in his office or something----
Mr. Stern.
Was he complaining about not having counsel furnished, or did he seem satisfied with the effort to reach Abt?
Mr. Bookhout.
No; he made no complaint about not being furnished an attorney. Actually, there was a good deal of conversation on that point, and he stated that he did not want any Dallas attorney representing him, and said that if he couldn't get in touch with Mr. Abt, that he would probably contact someone with the Civil Liberties Union, and have them furnish an attorney. I recall sometime during November 22 or 23, I believe it was, the head of the Dallas Bar Association appeared at the homicide and robbery bureau and requested permission to talk to Oswald. Captain Fritz gave him that permission, and when he got through talking to Oswald and came back in and told Captain Fritz that he had seen him, and that Oswald did not want anybody from Dallas to represent him.
Mr. Stern.
You heard this?
Mr. Bookhout.
Yes; that was in my presence. I don't recall the name of the attorney, but I was there at the time or during that conversation.
Mr. Stern.
Can you tell us approximately how long this Saturday morning interview took?
Mr. Bookhout.
Well, that would be approximately an hour. No interview that I participated in lasted over an hour, and I think roughly this one probably started around 10:35 in the morning and lasted for approximately an hour.
Mr. Stern.
All right. What was his physical appearance at this time?
Mr. Bookhout.
His appearance was no different than it was on the 22d.
Mr. Stern.
You saw no other bruises?
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