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

November 23 Oswald Interrogation

On November 23 at 10:25 AM, Oswald was brought from jail for an interview. Present were FBI agent Jim Bookhout, Forrest Sorrells (special agent and in charge of Secret Service), United States Marshall Robert Nash, and Homicide officers. During this interview, Fritz talked to Oswald about his leaving the building and he told Fritz he left by bus, rode to a stop near home, and walked to his house, with a bus transfer found in his pocket at arrest. Oswald admitted the transfer was given to him by the bus driver. Regarding the cab ride, Oswald confirmed riding a cab due to slow bus traffic and recounted an incident where a lady also wanted a cab and he told her to “take another cab.” Oswald said he reached home by cab, changed both his shirt and trousers, and his cab fare was 85 cents, with the changed clothing placed in the dirty clothes. About his location at the time of the President was killed, Oswald said he ate lunch with some of the “colored boys” who worked with him, including one called “Junior” and another short man whose name he did not know, eating a cheese sandwich and some fruit. He denied bringing the long package described by Mr. Frazier and his sister. Oswald explained living separately from his wife by stating Mrs. Paine was learning Russian, his wife needed help with the baby, and it was a convenient arrangement. He said he did not know Mr. Paine well but thought Mr. and Mrs. Paine were separated a great deal of the time. Oswald stated he owned no car, that the Paines had two cars, and that he had left sea bags with personal belongings at the Paine garage after returning from New Orleans in September.