Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. KennedyUnited States. Warren Commission
History
Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
United States. Warren Commission
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 -- Assassination; Oswald, Lee Harvey
The number of people in the interrogation room and the tumultuous
atmosphere throughout the third floor made it difficult for the
interrogators to gain Oswald’s confidence and to encourage him to be
truthful. As Chief Curry has recognized in his testimony, “we were
violating every principle of interrogation * * * it was just against
all principles of good interrogation practice.”[C5-40]
Oswald’s Legal Rights
All available evidence indicates that Oswald was not subjected to any
physical hardship during the interrogation sessions or at any other
time while he was in custody. He was fed and allowed to rest. When he
protested on Friday against being handcuffed from behind, the cuffs
were removed and he was handcuffed in front.[C5-41] Although he made
remarks to newsmen about desiring a shower and demanding his “civil
rights,” Oswald did not complain about his treatment to any of the
numerous police officers and other persons who had much to do with him
during the 2 days of his detention.[C5-42] As described in chapter IV,
Oswald received a slight cut over his right eye and a bruise under his
left eye during the scuffle in the Texas Theatre with the arresting
officers, three of whom were injured and required medical treatment.
These marks were visible to all who saw him during the 2 days of his
detention and to millions of television viewers.[C5-43]
Before the first questioning session on Friday afternoon, Fritz warned
Oswald that he was not compelled to make any statement and that
statements he did make could be used against him.[C5-44] About 5 hours
later, he was arraigned for the Tippit murder and within an additional
6½ hours he was arraigned for the murder of President Kennedy. On each
occasion the justice of the peace advised Oswald of his right to obtain
counsel and the right to remain silent.[C5-45]
Throughout the period of detention, however, Oswald was not represented
by counsel. At the Friday midnight press conference in the basement
assembly room, he made the following remarks:
OSWALD. Well, I was questioned by Judge ---- [Johnston].
However, I protested at that time that I was not allowed legal
representation during that very short and sweet hearing. I
really don’t know what the situation is about. Nobody has
told me anything except that I am accused of, of, murdering
a policeman. I know nothing more than that and I do request
someone to come forward to give me legal assistance.
Q. Did you kill the President?
A. No. I have not been charged with that. In fact nobody has
said that to me yet. The first thing I heard about it was when
the newspaper reporters in the hall asked me that question.
* * * * *
Q. Mr. Oswald, how did you hurt your eye?
A. A policeman hit me.[C5-46]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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