OSWALD'S LEGAL RIGHTS IV

August 21, 2012

WHITEWASH-the report on the Warren Report by Harold Weisberg, Chapter 7: Oswald's Legal Rights IV

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFKASSASSINATION) Today JFKASSASSINATION  resumes our report on Chapter 7 of Harold Weisberg's book "Whitewash--the report on the Warren Report", published in 1965. 

The title of Chapter 7 is OSWALD'S LEGAL RIGHTS.

Harold Weisberg next addresses "Oswald's Representation Before the (Warren) Commission."

Weisberg introduces us to MARK LANE*, a lawyer hired by Marguerite Oswald "to represent the interests of her son."

*Mark Lane, born in 1927, is a lawyer best known for his defense of Lee Harvey Oswald in his book RUSH TO JUDGMENT critical of the conclusions of the Warren Commission in 1964.  

Lane had been a founder of the Reform Democratic Movement in NY & served as JFK's campaign manager in New York City in 1960.

                             Mark Lane
           Ann Arbor, Michigan (1967)

Although Lane testified before the Commission on March 4, 1964, his request to represent the late accused assassin was denied.

Next, Mr. Weisberg asks "Were the Searches Legal?"

In reference to the search by Dallas Police of Lee Harvey Oswald's room on North Beckley Street, Weisberg admits they had a legal SEARCH WARRANT, but says what was unusual is that it was signed by a judge who participated in the search itself.

And as far the search of the home of RUTH PAINE**, where Oswald's wife Marina was staying, Weisberg argues "Nobody had a search warrant."

He also claimed that because the Paine residence was located in Irving, the Dallas Police had no jurisdiction there.

**Ruth Hyde Paine, born in 1932 & a Quaker with an interest in the Russian language, was living in Irving, (a suburb of Fort Worth) Texas in 1963. 

Ms. Paine made friends with Marina Oswald who was living with her at the time of the JFK assassination.  

It was in Ms. Paine's garage that the Warren Commission declared Oswald had stored the rifle used to kill the President.

Weisberg concludes this chapter with these words:

"Unlike the (Warren) Report, I do not believe Oswald enjoyed his civil or legal rights, either as a matter of law or as a practical consideration."

It is not (Oswald) alone who suffers from the denial of....basic....rights.  We all lose something."