Mr. JENNER. In response to you?
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct.
Mr. JENNER. At no time when you interviewed him over the telephone
while you were in that--the sixth floor--did he affirmatively deny
either that he had shot Officer Tippit or that he shot the President?
Mr. OSWALD. He did not admit to anything whatsoever.
Mr. JENNER. Nor did he deny it affirmatively--other than the remark
that you have recorded in your memorandum?
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct, sir.
Mr. McKENZIE. In other words, Mr. Oswald, when you were talking there
with your brother, in the city jail of Dallas, he did not deny that he
had killed Officer Tippit, nor did he deny that he had assassinated
President Kennedy?
Mr. OSWALD. He did not admit to anything, sir.
Mr. McKENZIE. And he didn't deny anything?
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct.
Mr. McKENZIE. Have you, or haven't you told this Commission that you
believed a denial?
Mr. JENNER. Excuse me, Mr. McKenzie, I don't understand that question.
Mr. McKENZIE. It says in this article that he told the Commission that
he believed the denial.
Since there was no denial, there was nothing for you to believe.
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct.
Mr. JENNER. Up to this moment he has never testified as to that, to my
recollection.
Mr. McKENZIE. That is correct.
Again, based on the evidence that you have read or heard in newspaper
articles, whether it be evidence or not, but based on everything that
you have heard or read, you now believe that your brother, Lee Harvey
Oswald, did kill Mr. Tippit and assassinated President Kennedy, is that
correct?
Mr. OSWALD. Purely on the circumstantial evidence that has been brought
to my attention or that I have read.
Mr. McKENZIE. I believe that is all, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. JENNER. May I ask one question?
Mr. Oswald, until this afternoon, when you recalled orally here the
circumstances and the event of your discussion with your brother on the
sixth floor of the Dallas--is that Dallas County?
Mr. McKENZIE. No; it is Dallas City Jail.
Mr. JENNER. Dallas City Jail--had I had any conversation with you at
all on that subject?
Mr. OSWALD. None that I recall, sir.
Mr. JENNER. Thank you.
Mr. McKENZIE. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. DULLES. That will then conclude the testimony of Mr. Robert Oswald,
with the understanding that the Commission might later wish to recall
him if any facts are adduced that would make that desirable.
Mr. McKENZIE. Mr. Dulles--is he now released from his oath to the
Commission, subject to recall and being resworn?
Mr. DULLES. That is correct.
Mr. JENNER. That is correct. That is my understanding.
In any event, I so agree, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. McKENZIE. Thank you, sir.
I would like to state to the Commission one further thing, Mr.
Dulles, if I may. We very much appreciate, and by "we" I mean myself
as counsel, and Mr. Oswald as a witness, the manner in which the
Commission and its counsel have conducted the interrogation of Mr.
Oswald. We further appreciate the opportunity to be in Washington
and to be heard, and hope that in some manner that we may assist in
shedding some light that will assist this Commission in making its
final report, and that the true facts of this situation will be known
to the President of the United States to use at his discretion.
Mr. DULLES. Thank you very much, Mr. McKenzie.
Mr. JENNER. May I ask one more question?
Up until this afternoon when I questioned you, possibly there might
have been a question this morning on the subject of any opinion which
you might have held dealing with whether your brother did or did not
participate in the shooting of Officer Tippit or the assassination of
President Kennedy, had I had any conversation with you on that subject?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir; I believe you had.
Mr. JENNER. When was that?
Mr. OSWALD. I believe this was on the first session, during the first
session on Wednesday, February 20, 1964.
Mr. JENNER. Was it in this room?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir; it was.
Mr. JENNER. That is all I meant. I had no separate--no conversation
with you on the subject other than as I might have put a question to
you in the presence of the Commission.
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct.
Mr. JENNER. Thank you.
Mr. DULLES. And a part of the record.
Mr. JENNER. And as part of the record; yes, sir.
Mr. DULLES. We will adjourn.
(Whereupon, at 3:40 p.m., the President's Commission recessed.)
_Thursday, February 27, 1964_