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

Rumor of Castro Sympathizer File Boxes in Oswald’s Room

A claim that Dallas police found seven metal file boxes containing names of Castro sympathizers in Oswald’s room was examined. Police inventories of property from the Beckley Avenue room do not include file boxes, and the small file boxes from the Paine residence contained letters, pictures, books, and literature—most belonging to Ruth Paine—with no lists of Castro sympathizers.

Rumor of Oswald Receiving Help With Letters

Speculation that Oswald’s letters varied too greatly in quality for one person to have written them was investigated. The Commission found no evidence of outside help in the United States. His wife and mother testified he wrote multiple drafts of important letters, and even his better letters contained distinctive spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors common to his poorer efforts. His diary noted that his October 16, 1959, letter to the Supreme Soviet received help from Intourist Guide Rima Shirokova.

Rumor of Janitor Witness Held in Protective Custody

A rumor that a Black janitor witness who could identify Oswald was held in protective custody by Dallas police was investigated and found to have no factual basis. No such witness was kept in custody, and the story originated from a newspaper account based on hearsay.

Rumor of Marina Oswald’s Secret Service Incarceration

A claim that the Secret Service incarcerated Marina Oswald after the assassination was examined. The Commission found that she was given protection by the Secret Service but retained freedom to communicate, move about, and terminate the protection at any time.