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

Oswald’s Arrest Resistance

Oswald’s Arrest Resistance Within 80 minutes of the JFK assassination and 35 minutes of the Tippit killing, Oswald resisted arrest at a local theatre by attempting to shoot another Dallas police officer.

Commission Findings on Oswald’s Interrogation and Detention

Commission Findings on Oswald’s Interrogation and Detention The Commission’s findings on Oswald’s interrogation and detention by Dallas police are: (a) aside from the force required to effect his arrest, Oswald was not subjected to physical coercion; he was informed he could not be compelled to provide information, that his statements could be used against him in court, was advised of his right to counsel, given the opportunity to obtain counsel of his choice, and rejected legal assistance offered by the Dallas Bar Association at the time; (b) unrestricted access for newspaper, radio, and television reporters to the areas Oswald was moved through in the police station subjected him to harassment and created chaotic conditions that hindered orderly interrogation and protection of his prisoner rights; (c) numerous erroneous public statements from local law enforcement officials during this period of confusion created obstacles to a fair trial for Oswald, and the misleading information contributed to public doubt, speculation, and fear that may not have otherwise arisen.

Commission Findings on Oswald’s Killing by Jack Ruby

Commission Findings on Oswald’s Killing by Jack Ruby The Commission’s findings on Jack Ruby’s November 24, 1963 killing of Oswald are: (a) Ruby entered the Dallas Police Department basement shortly after 11:17 a.m. and killed Oswald at 11:21 a.m.; (b) while evidence of Ruby’s entry method is not conclusive, the weight of evidence indicates he walked down the ramp leading from Main Street to the basement; (c) there is no evidence supporting rumors that Ruby was assisted by any Dallas Police Department personnel in the killing; (d) the Dallas Police Department’s decision to transfer Oswald to county jail in full public view was unsound, the transfer arrangements made only hours before the attempted move were inadequate, and news media and other individuals were not excluded from the basement even after police were notified of threats to Oswald’s life, all of which contributed to his death.