Mr. Ballen. When I first heard of Oswald's arrest, I didn't realize that this was the chap I had met. It only dawned upon me about 2 or 3 hours later that this was the chap I met.
I told my wife that evening that there must have been some mistake, that I didn't believe that chap was capable of this kind of thing, and she said, what do you mean? She said they picked him up and got the gun. I said Oswald wasn't that sort of guy. I told my wife that if you lined up 50 individuals, the one person who would stand out as being suspicious or strange would be Lee Harvey Oswald, but I was very surprised when Oswald was arrested.
Mr. Liebeler. Did you have any further conversations along that line with your wife?
Mr. Ballen. Well, as this story developed day by day, we would naturally discuss it.
Mr. Liebeler. Do you still have the same view that you expressed to your wife when you first learned of the assassination?
Mr. Ballen. I want to read the report that I assume the Warren Commission will ultimately publish. The circumstantial evidence as reported in the press is overwhelming, to say the least, but there remains a shadow of skepticism in my mind, and I am looking forward to seeing the published report.
Mr. Liebeler. It would certainly be fair to say, however, would it not, Mr. Ballen, that you at no time prior to the assassination had any reason to believe that Oswald was capable or would be inclined to commit an act of this sort, is that correct?
Mr. Ballen. That is correct.
Mr. Liebeler. Do you know of any contact between Oswald and Jack Ruby?
Mr. Ballen. None whatsoever.