Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Senator’s reaction to Ruby’s shooting of Oswald

The Senator’s general response to the shooting did not resemble that of a person seeking to conceal guilt. Shortly before it was known that Ruby was the slayer, the Senator visited the Eatwell Restaurant in downtown Dallas. Upon being informed that Ruby was the attacker, he exclaimed “My God” in what appeared to be genuine surprise, ran to a telephone, returned to gulp down his coffee, and quickly departed. He drove to the home of attorney and friend James Martin, whose concern was for Ruby and not for himself. Both men then drove to the Dallas Police Department, where the Senator voluntarily submitted to police questioning and gave interviews to newspaper and television reporters.

Ruby’s activities preceding the President’s Dallas trip

Beyond a broad investigation into Ruby’s background and associations, the Commission examined Ruby’s pattern of activities during the two months preceding President Kennedy’s Dallas visit to determine whether unusual conduct might be linked to the President’s trip.

Accounting for Ruby’s late 1963 whereabouts

The Commission specifically accounted for Jack Ruby’s presence in Dallas on every day after September 26, 1963, except five: September 29, 30, and October 11, 14, and 24, with no evidence he left the Dallas-Fort Worth area on those days. One report placing Ruby in Dallas on September 28 suggests he likely remained on September 29 and 30, when Oswald was in Mexico City. The Commission found no evidence Ruby traveled to Mexico at that time, and both Ruby and Ralph Paul stated he did not leave the Dallas-Fort Worth area during September, October, or November 1963.

Ruby’s business activities in October and November 1963

During October and November 1963, Jack Ruby maintained his usual vigorous pace of business activities, directing considerable attention to his two nightclubs and other business promotions. In the final month before the Kennedy trip, his time was increasingly occupied with personnel problems at both clubs, with no indication he devoted less than full attention to these matters or appeared preoccupied with other affairs. Acquaintances felt Ruby seemed depressed and concerned that his friends were deserting him, but there were no signs of secretive conduct.

Review of Ruby’s conduct before the President’s arrival

Scrutiny of Ruby’s activities during the several days preceding the President’s arrival revealed no indication of unusual activity. Ruby discussed the impending trip with only two persons and only briefly. Two newspapers describing expected motorcade routes through Dallas and Fort Worth were found in Ruby’s car at his arrest, but such papers circulated widely in Dallas, and Ruby’s car, like his apartment, was so cluttered with other newspapers, notebooks, brochures, cards, clothing, and personal items that the papers carry no special significance.

Reasons to doubt Ruby conspired to kill Oswald

Multiple reasons undermine the theory that Ruby would have shot Oswald as part of a conspiracy. By striking in the city jail, Ruby was certain to be apprehended, creating exceptionally grave dangers for any co-conspirators. If the attempt had failed, Oswald might have disclosed his confederates; if it succeeded, the additional killing might have produced a trail to them. Moreover, Ruby was regarded by most acquaintances as moody and unstable, hardly the type to inspire confidence among those involved in a sensitive conspiracy.

Ruby’s post-arrest cooperation with federal authorities

Since his apprehension, Jack Ruby has provided federal authorities with several detailed accounts of his activities both preceding and following the assassination of President Kennedy, showing no reluctance to answer any questions. The accounts he provided are consistent with evidence available to the Commission from other sources.

Commission conclusion of no assassination conspiracy

The Commission concluded there is no credible evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald was part of a conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy. Examination of the assassination itself revealed no indication Oswald was aided in planning or execution. Review of Oswald’s life since 1959, while illuminating his character, produced no meaningful evidence of conspiracy. The Commission found no evidence the Soviet Union or Cuba were involved, and no grounds for believing Ruby’s killing of Oswald was part of a conspiracy. Rumors of a connection between Ruby and Oswald proved groundless, and examination of Ruby’s background, behavior, and activities during the November 22-24 weekend yielded no evidence he conspired with anyone. The same conclusion was independently reached by Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of the Treasury C. Douglas Dillon, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, CIA Director John A. McCone, and Secret Service Chief James J. Rowley.