Mr. HUBERT. How long before the trial began did you convey this
information to anyone?
Mr. ARCHER. I would say approximately 3 weeks. Now, that is just a
guess, because I just don't recall the time there.
Mr. HUBERT. Well, tell us the circumstances under which this inquiry
was made of you concerning the intent to kill as expressed by him?
Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Alexander made the inquiry in talking to us together,
and also individually, as to what we heard that might be pertinent,
what might not be pertinent at that time, and I went over and related
all that I could recall.
Mr. HUBERT. And that was the first time you mentioned to anyone at all
what you had heard Ruby say regarding his intent?
Mr. ARCHER. As far as I recall; yes, sir.
Mr. HUBERT. And that was about 3 weeks before the beginning of the
trial.
Mr. ARCHER. I would say very--approximately. That could vary, because
I don't remember the date. I wish I could, but I didn't make any
particular note of it. Like I say, at the time, I just didn't take note
of it.
Mr. HUBERT. Well, now, do you mean to say to me that you did not regard
those two statements made to you by Ruby as being important in a trial
of this man for first-degree murder?
Mr. ARCHER. No, sir; I didn't say that I didn't regard them as
important. I just say at the time that these statements were made it
was in my mind that it was not necessarily a gathering of facts to try
the man.
Mr. HUBERT. Well, I gather from your testimony that you didn't convey
this information to anybody at all until you were asked to do so in an
interview with Mr. Alexander, which, from your testimony, I judge to be
approximately the middle of January or afterwards, which is to say, 2
months after the event.
Now, I ask you if you did not think that that information was extremely
valuable information in a pending prosecution for first-degree murder?
Mr. ARCHER. I didn't, at the time, give it a thought in the way of
prosecution, because in my own mind I didn't feel that a lot of the
statements would be admissible. I don't know what would be admissible
and what wouldn't.
Mr. HUBERT. It never occurred to you that it was your duty to tell your
superior officer, or somebody that you had heard that this man said, "I
meant to kill him"?
Mr. ARCHER. No, sir; it didn't. Had they inquired about it, I certainly
would have told them.
Mr. HUBERT. All right, have you anything else to say, sir.
Mr. ARCHER. No, sir; not unless there is something more you would like
to ask me. If I can relate, or tell you anything, I would be happy to.
Mr. HUBERT. Now you have not been interviewed by any member of the
Commission or by me, before, have you? That is to say, a member of the
President's Commission, on the assassination?
Mr. ARCHER. Not the President's Commission. I have been interviewed by
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which you know about.
Mr. HUBERT. But no interview by me or any other member of the
Commission staff?
Mr. ARCHER. Yes, sir.
Mr. HUBERT. This deposition is the first time you have said anything to
any member of the Commission staff?
Mr. ARCHER. Yes, sir; so far as I know.
Mr. HUBERT. All right. That's all. Thank you, sir.