chapter II. With the assistance of Agent in Charge Sorrels of the
This chapter documents the interrogations of Lee Harvey Oswald conducted by Captain Will Fritz of the Dallas Police Department Homicide Bureau on November 23 and 24, 1963, with assistance from Agent in Charge Sorrels and other officers including FBI Special Agents James P. Hosty Jr. and James W. Bookhout, Secret Service Inspector Kelley, and Chief Jesse E. Curry. The chapter covers Oswald’s statements on his family, affiliations, residences, and his repeated denials of involvement in the assassination of President Kennedy and the killing of Officer Tippit, including his reaction to the rifle photograph and preparations for his transfer to the county jail.
Oswald’s Statements on Family and the Paines
Oswald stated he had a brother, Robert, who lived in Fort Worth (later found to be Denton), and described the Paines as close friends of his.
Questions on Party Affiliations and Firearm Purchase
When asked about Communist Party membership, Oswald denied ever having a card but reiterated his membership in the Fair Play for Cuba organization. He also stated he belonged to the American Civil Liberties Union and paid $5.00 in dues. Oswald refused to answer questions about why he carried a pistol to the theater but disclosed he had purchased it several months earlier in Fort Worth, Texas.
Oswald’s Familiarity with Interrogation Methods
Fritz observed that Oswald answered questions very quickly and asked if he had been questioned before. Oswald confirmed he had been questioned extensively by the FBI after returning from Russia, describing their use of hard, soft, and buddy methods, and asserting he was very familiar with interrogation techniques.
Request for Attorney Abt and ACLU Legal Help
Oswald invoked his right to remain silent until speaking with his attorney, stating he lacked money to call Mr. Abt but was offered a collect call using the jail phone. He expressed preference for Abt specifically because of Abt’s defense of people charged under the Smith Act, and expressed confidence the ACLU would provide counsel if Abt was unavailable. Oswald later thanked Fritz for allowing him telephone use during subsequent interviews.
New Orleans Residence and Employment Details
Oswald reported living at 1907 Magazine Street in New Orleans and having worked for the William Riley Company near that address.
Previous Anti-Castro Confrontation and Radio Debate
When asked about prior arrests, Oswald described a confrontation with anti-Castro individuals while working with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and recounted participating in a radio debate in New Orleans against anti-Castro opponents.
Questions on Kennedy and Polygraph Test Refusal
Oswald stated he had no views on President Kennedy personally but liked his family, and emphasized he held his own views on national policies. He refused to take a polygraph test, citing his prior refusal of an FBI polygraph. During this interview, FBI Agent Bookhout, Mr. Kelley, and the Marshall also questioned Oswald.
Interviews on Dallas Residences and Neely Street Address
Fritz questioned Oswald about the various places he had lived in Dallas in an effort to identify where a photograph of him holding a rifle had been taken. Oswald discussed one residence but was evasive about the Neely Street address that Paine had described, which was later confirmed as the location where the photograph was made. Oswald stated his belongings were kept at Mrs. Paine’s residence and at a location on Beckley, and was returned to jail at 1:10 PM.
Presentation of Rifle Photograph and Oswald’s Denial
At 6:00 PM, in the presence of Jim Bookhout, Homicide officers, and Inspector Kelley, Fritz showed Oswald an enlarged photograph of him holding a rifle and wearing a pistol, which had been enlarged by the Crime Lab from a picture found in Mrs. Paine’s garage. Oswald denied the picture was his, claiming his face had been superimposed onto someone else’s body. When informed the photograph was recovered from Mrs. Paine’s garage, he stated it had never been in his possession. Examining the smaller version, Oswald claimed expertise in photography and alleged someone had constructed the image using photographs taken during his transfers at City Hall. He declared he would not answer further questions and was returned to jail around 7:15 PM.
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