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

Roger Craig’s Corroboration of Rowland’s Claim

Roger D. Craig, a Dallas County deputy sheriff, offered potential corroboration for Rowland’s story. Craig testified that about 10 minutes after the assassination, Rowland told him he had seen two men on the sixth floor about 15 minutes before the motorcade—one with a rifle and telescopic sight and another person. Craig claimed Rowland said the men were white, walking back and forth in front of the window, and that one had a scoped rifle. According to Craig, Rowland said the other man left and only the man with the rifle remained. This account is contradicted by the testimony of both the Rowlands and by every recorded post-assassination interview with them conducted by law enforcement agencies.

Commission Investigation of Depository Employees

The Commission investigated every employee of the Texas School Book Depository Building to evaluate Rowland’s allegation and the accomplice question. Only two employees generally matched the description of an elderly bald or balding Negro man, and both were on the first floor before and during the assassination. All employees were asked whether they saw any strangers in the building that morning. Only one employee reported seeing a stranger—a feeble man who had to be helped up the front steps, used a public restroom, and left five minutes later, about 40 minutes before the assassination.

Analysis of Oswald’s Post-Assassination Escape

The Commission analyzed Oswald’s movements between the assassination and the shooting of Patrolman Tippit using testimony from seven witnesses: Patrolman M. L. Baker and Roy Truly on the second floor within 2 minutes; Mrs. R. A. Reid less than 1 minute later; busdriver Cecil J. McWatters and Mrs. Mary Bledsoe seeing him board a bus around 12:40 p.m. and exit 4 minutes later; cabdriver William W. Whaley driving him to Oak Cliff; and Earlene Roberts seeing him enter the roominghouse at about 1 p.m. Oswald was always alone. Analysis of his departure showed the building was probably first sealed off no earlier than 12:37, and Officer W. E. Barnett estimated 3 minutes between the last shots and his guarding the front door, during which “people were going in and out.” The Commission concluded 3 minutes was sufficient for Oswald to descend and leave without assistance. James R. Worrell, Jr. claimed to see a man running from the rear but could not identify him, and two other rear-watching witnesses saw no one leave. Craig’s claim of seeing Oswald leave about 15 minutes after the assassination was addressed—Craig may have seen someone entering a station wagon, but it was not Oswald. Mrs. Roberts’ testimony about a police car with its horn honking at 1026 North Beckley around 1 p.m. was investigated, but no evidence supported the presence of such a vehicle. She never saw Oswald enter a car and last saw him at a bus stop shortly after 1 p.m. The Commission found no evidence Oswald had prearranged escape plans or assistance from others.