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  » Volume XV
Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XV - Page 146« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of J.w. Fritz)

Mr. Hubert.
This is the deposition of Capt. J. W. Fritz. Captain Fritz, my name is Leon Hubert. I am a member of the advisory staff of the general counsel of the President's Commission.
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11.130 dated November 29, 1963, and the joint resolution of Congress, No. 137, and the rules of procedure adopted by the President's Commission in conformance with that Executive order and the joint resolution, I have been authorized to take a sworn deposition from you.
I say 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 the subsequent violent death of Lee Harvey Oswald.
In particular as to you, 0aptain Fritz, 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.
Captain Fritz, I understand that you are appearing here today by virtue of a request made by Mr. J. Lee Rankin, general counsel of the staff of the President's Commission, to Chief Curry asking that certain members of the police department, including yourself, be present here.
In fact, under the rules adopted by the Commission, every witness is entitled to a 3-day written notice before his deposition can be taken, which you have not had, at least directly from the Commission.
On the other hand, the rules also provide that you may waive that 3-day written notice, and I ask you now whether you are willing to have your deposition taken now and therefore waive the notice?
Captain FRITZ. I could tell you what happened over there. Is there any question that I need advice on before I answer these questions? As far as I am personally concerned, I don't know of anything that I need any advice on, but if you think that it is proper that I have advice or counsel, I would be glad to do what you think is necessary.
Mr. Hubert.
I don't think so, sir. Of course it is difficult for me to determine that question. Let me put it this way.
Captain FRITZ. I don't know of anything that I am hesitant to talk about, or anything that I wouldn't care about telling you.
Mr. Hubert.
If there is any time in the course of the deposition that you would rather have advice on before you proceed, just say so and we will stop at that point and let you have advice.
Captain FRITZ. I can't think of anything that I need advice on, but if you know something I don't know, just tell me.
Mr. Hubert.
I don't know. I don't believe there is either, but it is hard for me to tell whether you do or not.
Captain FRITZ. I know nothing about this entire case that the truth won't fit better than anything else. I don't know of anything to be hesitant about, unless there is something I haven't heard of.
Mr. Hubert.
To come back to the question, are you willing to waive the 3-day written notice that normally you are entitled to?
Captain FRITZ. Yes, sir; I am willing. ,If there is nothing other than just the facts of what happened over here at the time of the assassination, I don't care for telling you anything about that.
Mr. Hubert.
That is all we are going to talk about.
Captain FRITZ. All right, then.
Mr. Hubert.
All right, will you raise your right hand? Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give in this matter will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Captain FRITZ. I do.
Mr. Hubert.
Captain Fritz, you are--
Captain FRITZ. You have my previous testimony before the Commission?
Mr. Hubert.
I don't believe I do, but I was going to state this, that you have appeared before the Commission and given testimony there, and I think your qualifications and your position and various statistics concerning yourself were included in that. Therefore, I don't believe it is necessary for us to include any of that material here.
You are a captain of the Dallas police force in charge of the homicide division?
Captain FRITZ. Yes. Homicide and robbery.
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