Mr. BOOKHOUT. No different than it was during the previous interviews.
Mr. STERN. Did he have any comment at this interview about counsel?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. None other than at the outset of being first asked if
that was his photograph, he first made the statement that he wouldn't
make any comment about it without the advice of counsel, but then
subsequently is when he went into the story about his face had been
superimposed over somebody else's body.
Mr. STERN. Did he complain in the course of this interview about the
way in which the lineup had been conducted?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. This is the interview in which he--a previously mentioned
comment here was made to the effect that he had not been granted a
request to put on a jacket similar to those worn by some of the other
individuals in some previous lineups.
Mr. STERN. In each of these interviews was he generally taken through
the same questions or similar questions, or were the interviews
addressed to different areas?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. More or less, they had been to a specific area. For
instance, in this last interview we are talking about, that was more or
less confined to this photograph.
Mr. STERN. Yes. Did he ever complain that, "We have been over that
ground before," or make any such statement?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. No; I don't recall anything along that line, but I can
recall one subject matter probably in the first interview where he
talked about his method of transportation after leaving the Texas Book
Depository, having gotten on a bus, and then that subject was taken up
again, as I recall, in the second interview, expressed the same answer
at that time, and then subsequently to that interview he backed up and
said that it wasn't actually true as to how he got home. That he had
taken a bus, and due to the traffic jam he had left the bus and got a
taxicab, by which means he actually arrived at his residence.
Mr. STERN. Had he been confronted by the driver of the taxicab, or been
told that they had located the driver of the taxicab before he changed
his story, or did he volunteer the story of the taxi?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. I don't recall specifically whether he was confronted
with that or not.
Mr. STERN. All right. Do you recall whether in the course of any of the
interrogations any official, anyone present suggested in any way to
Oswald that things would be better for him if he told the truth, if he
confessed? Was he ever offered any inducement--any suggestion made that
he would be better off if he told the full story?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. I can't recall anything along that line. I don't recall
any type of inducement whatsoever.
Mr. STERN. In each interview in which you participated, did you warn
him about the possible use of his statement against him?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. I personally did not at each interview, but I can say
that at each interview he was warned. He was warned numerous times by
Captain Fritz and his rights were fully explained to him.
Mr. STERN. What sort of warning would Captain Fritz give him, generally?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. He gave a warning consisting of the fact that he did not
have to make any statement, that any statement he made could be used
against him in court, and he had the right to consult with an attorney,
generally, that was the rights that were explained to him, as I recall.
Mr. STERN. This was said at each session at which you were present?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. This was given at once each time, and the question would
come up later on, I mean, he would repeat himself, that, you don't have
to make any statement--and so forth.
Mr. STERN. Did you observe anytime any physical or mental coercion of
Oswald by anyone?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. None whatsoever.
Mr. STERN. Off the record.
(Discussion off the record.)
Mr. STERN. Now, back on the record. This interview on late Saturday
afternoon, was about 6 or 6:30, is that correct?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. This one started about 6:30 p.m. And I would say it
lasted about an hour.
Mr. STERN. I see. So, that is 7:30?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. Yes.
Mr. STERN. Was there any further interview that day that you
participated in?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. None that I recall.
Mr. STERN. Did you see Oswald again anytime after that interview
concluded?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. Now, yes; on the morning of November 24, 1963, I observed
him in interview with Captain Fritz and numerous other officers in the
homicide and robbery bureau. Captain Fritz--I did not participate in
this interview. It had already started before I arrived.
Mr. STERN. Did you notice anything unusual about his appearance?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. No.
Mr. STERN. Did you see Oswald again?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. I stayed there in the office of the homicide and robbery
bureau. When I refer to "office" I mean the overall office, and inside
of that office is a private office of Captain Fritz. The interview was
being conducted in the private office. There is a glass partition or
glass--well, say glass partition on one side of the office that you
can see what is going on inside there. I took a seat adjacent to this
glass area in the office proper of the homicide and robbery bureau, and
watched Oswald during the interview that was going on. About--well,
I don't know what time specifically, it was after 11 o'clock, as I
recall, the interview terminated. I asked Captain Fritz if he had--if
Oswald made any admissions, and he stated that he had not made any.
Shortly thereafter he was taken out of the homicide and robbery bureau.
I remained in the homicide office.
Mr. STERN. Did you see him again?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. Next time I saw him was after a report came out over the
intercom system for any homicide and robbery officers to report to the
city hall basement. I proceeded to the basement after learning from
Lieutenant Baker in the homicide and robbery bureau, who had made a
telephone call to the dispatcher to inquire what was going on, that
Oswald had been shot.
When I arrived in the basement I asked where was Oswald, and they said
that he was in the jail office. I asked who had shot him, and I was
told an individual by the name of Jack Ruby. I asked where he was. They
said, they have already taken him up to the jail.
Mr. STERN. Fine.
Mr. BOOKHOUT. Just shortly thereafter the ambulance came, and I
observed them roll Oswald out of the jail office on the stretcher and
that is the last----
Mr. STERN. I would like to clear up one point, Mr. Bookhout, about the
number of interviews on Saturday. Your present recollection is that
there were how many in which you participated?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. Two on Saturday.
Mr. STERN. One at about what time and the other at what time?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. One was about 10:35 a.m., and the second one was about
6:30 p.m.
Mr. STERN. You do not now recall any separate interview at about 12:30
on Saturday?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. I don't specifically recall any separate interview at
that time. I checked the record before coming over and the interviews
that I have mentioned are the only ones I have in the report.
Mr. STERN. Would you describe briefly the conditions in the corridor
outside the homicide and robbery area.
Mr. BOOKHOUT. On November 22 and 23, the hallway in front of the
homicide and robbery bureau located on the third floor of the city hall
building was jammed with news media. From the elevator area to the
end of the hallway, extending on past the homicide and robbery bureau
entrance.
Mr. STERN. Could you hear anything from the hallway when you were in
the interrogation room?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. No; there were two Dallas Police officers on duty at
the entrance to the homicide and robbery bureau, who required you to
identify yourself being that--before being allowed entrance into the
bureau. The interviews of Oswald were conducted in the private offices
of Capt. J. W. Fritz, located within the same bureau, and the door to
the private office was closed, and we did not hear any commotion going
on outside in the halls while the interviews were in progress.
Mr. STERN. Did Oswald ever say anything that you heard about the press
and conditions in the hallway?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. The only thing I recall offhand is the incident mentioned
previously about the press undoubtedly taking his photograph when he
was going and coming from the homicide and robbery bureau.
Mr. STERN. I think that covers all the questions I have, Mr. Bookhout.
Thank you very much for coming here.
Mr. BOOKHOUT. You are welcome.
Mr. STERN. If there is anything that occurs to you that I haven't asked
about and you think the Commission should know, I would be delighted to
have you tell me.
Mr. BOOKHOUT. I can't think of anything that I could add to what you
have already heard.
Mr. STERN. Now, our reporter will transcribe your testimony and can
make a copy available for you to read and sign. If you think it is
accurate, you can waive that if you desire, and she will then send
it directly to the Commission. It makes no difference at all to the
Commission which you elect.
Mr. BOOKHOUT. I think that as far as I am concerned, it would be all
right.
Mr. STERN. Fine. Then you will waive?
Mr. BOOKHOUT. My idea--the purpose--only purpose I would have would be
just to help you if there are any typographical errors in there.
Mr. STERN. Fine. And thank you for coming in today.
Mr. BOOKHOUT. All right.