The testimony of James Robert Leavelle was taken at 3:30 p.m., on March
25, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building,
Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Leon D. Hubert, Jr.,
assistant counsel of the President’s Commission.
Mr. HUBERT. This is the deposition of James R. Leavelle, with the
Dallas Police Department. Mr. Leavelle, my name is Leon Hubert. I am a
member of the advisory staff of the General Counsel on the President’s
Commission. Under the provisions of the Executive Order 11130, dated
November 29, 1963, and Joint Resolution of Congress No. 137 and the
rules of procedure adopted by the Commission in accordance with the
Executive order and the joint resolution, I have been authorized to
take a sworn deposition from you, Mr. Leavelle. I state to you now
that the general nature of the Commission’s inquiry is to ascertain,
evaluate and report upon the facts relevant to the assassination of
President Kennedy and subsequent violent death of Lee H. Oswald. In
particular to you, Mr. Leavelle, the nature of the inquiry today is to
determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald and any other
pertinent facts you may know about the general inquiry.
Mr. Leavelle, you have appeared today by virtue of a general request
made to Chief Curry by Mr. J. Lee Rankin, the general counsel of the
staff of the President’s Commission, and also, under the rules of the
Commission, you are entitled to a 3-day written notice prior to the
taking of the deposition, but the rules also provide that a witness may
waive this 3-day notice, if he wishes to do so. Now, you have not had
that 3-day notice, and so, I wish to know if you would like to waive
the 3-day notice?
Mr. LEAVELLE. Yes.
Mr. HUBERT. All right, then, would you--I think you said you would
waive that notice, didn’t you?
Mr. LEAVELLE. Yes.
Mr. HUBERT. Would you stand and raise your right hand so that I can
swear you in?
Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. LEAVELLE. I do.
Mr. HUBERT. Will you please state your full name?
Mr. LEAVELLE. James Robert Leavelle.
Mr. HUBERT. Your age?