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

Oswald’s Assassination Interrogation

Speculation suggested the police questioned Oswald extensively about the Tippit murder on the first day of his detention but not about the assassination of President Kennedy. The Commission found that Dallas police officials stated they questioned Oswald repeatedly on November 22 about the assassination and his relationship to it, with Captain Fritz asking Oswald to account for himself at the time the President was shot during the first interrogation. FBI agents present also confirmed that he was questioned about the President’s assassination.

Oswald’s Access to Legal Counsel

Speculation suggested Oswald’s attempts to obtain legal counsel were deliberately thwarted by the police and he was cut off from outside calls. The Commission found that on November 23, Oswald was visited by Dallas Bar Association president H. Louis Nichols, who offered help in getting a lawyer, which Oswald refused. Oswald was told he could use the telephone when he wished and did make telephone calls, attempting to reach attorney John Abt in New York unsuccessfully, with Mrs. Paine also trying without success to reach Abt at Oswald’s request. Oswald was also visited by his wife, mother, and brother, any of whom could have helped him obtain counsel.

Oswald’s Alleged Soviet Affiliation

Oswald’s residence in the Soviet Union for more than 2½ years aroused speculation after his arrest that he was a Soviet agent, supported by assertions that he received exceptionally favored treatment from the Soviet Government in entering and leaving the country, particularly because his Russian wife and child were permitted to leave with him. The Commission’s careful analysis led to the conclusion that there is no credible evidence that Oswald was a Soviet agent and that he did not receive unusually favorable treatment in entering or leaving the Soviet Union or in returning to the United States.