Mr. Rankin. Mr. Abt, did you learn that Lee Harvey Oswald was interested in having you represent him apparently because of some prior connection of yours with the American Civil Liberties Union?
Mr. Abt. No. My assumption was, and it is pure assumption, that he read about some of my representation in the press, and, therefore, it occurred to him that I might be a good man to represent him, but that is pure assumption on my part. I have no direct knowledge of the whole matter.
Mr. Rankin. You have told us all that you know about it?
Mr. Abt. Yes. I may say that I have had no prior contact with Oswald, knew nothing about him, did not know the name, and this request came as something entirely new and surprising to me when it came.
Mr. Rankin. None of your clients had ever communicated to you about him prior to that time you heard about it over the radio?
Mr. Abt. No; I had no recollection of even having heard the name, his name, before that time.
Mr. Rankin. Thank you.
Mr. Abt. Right.