Mr. Leavelle. Oswald turned and asked Captain Fritz, said "I am filed on for the President's murder, is that right?" And, Captain Fritz told him yes, and he told Mr. Kelley, he said "Under the circumstances, I don't believe that it would be proper." That might not be the words he used, but wouldn't be right, anyway, for him to answer that question because whatever he said might be construed in a different light than what he actually meant it to be, but he went on to say he felt like when the head of any government died or was killed, whatever, there was always a second in command who would take over and he said in this particular instance it would he Johnson. He said "So far as I know, Johnson's views and President Kennedy's views are the same", so, he would see no particular difference in the attitude of the U.S. Government toward Cuba. That's about the main—the only one, because he went into such detail on it, the only one I thought was a little elaborate for him to go into that type of answer, the reason I remembered it.
Mr. Ball. Do you remember any question Captain Fritz asked him?
Mr. Leavelle. I remember that the captain asked him about the shooting of the President and the shooting of the officer; I know he did ask him that and I know Oswald did deny it, both times.
Mr. Ball. That he had shot President Kennedy and Tippit?
Mr. Leavelle. Yes; he denied shooting either one. He did say this "If you want me to 'cop' out to hitting or pleading guilty to hitting a cop in the mouth when I was arrested", he said "Yeah, I plead guilty to that" but he—I do know that he denied the shooting of both the President and Tippit.
Mr. Ball. In that meeting did he ask for a lawyer?
Mr. Leavelle. No; I know Captain Fritz asked him if at one time, if—he handed him a telegram—in fact. I believe it was sent by some attorney, if my memory serves me right, and he said he did not particularly want him but he would take that and if he didn't do any better he would contact him at a later time. I do not recall what lawyer it was. It seems like some lawyer in the East sent the telegram volunteering his services to Oswald.
Mr. Ball. That is there on Sunday morning, the 24th?
Mr. Leavelle. Yes.
Mr. Ball. In the course of this meeting which you have been describing——