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

第二章 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.