Dr. Beavers. Oh, I would say that many people of unsound mind are deteriorated enough that they do not have adequate memory. Early in the course of many mental illnesses a lot of the faculties, including memory, are preserved, so that this in itself I don’t think would—because he has an apparently good memory would not mean that he is of sound mind.
Mr. Tonahill. That’s what I mean—that there’s nothing unusual about the fact that he could still be of unsound mind and still have good recall and good response to the questions asked by the polygraph operator?
Dr. Beavers. I’m a little hung up on the term “unusual,” because to me, this is a statistical matter when you put it in that phrase, and then you would be talking about what percentage of people do and what percentage of people don’t.
Mr. Tonahill. I don’t mean to do that.
I meant to ask you specifically, can Jack Ruby be of unsound mind, not know right from wrong, appreciate the nature and quality of his actions, and still have a keen memory, a good memory, and give clear response to questions that appear to place him in touch with reality?
Dr. Beavers. In my opinion this is possible for a person.
Mr. Tonahill. Is it reasonably probable from the standpoint of medical certainty in your profession?
Dr. Beavers. I think so. You have included a question that I find it very difficult to answer—this business of right and wrong.
Mr. Tonahill. Yes.
Dr. Beavers. I stated my opinion to the Dallas Criminal Bar Association concerning this particular phraseology, and you asked it inclusive, in terms of several things?