Mr. Kaufman. Actually, I graduated from SMU in 1942 and was admitted to practice law in 1942. I immediately went into the service and was discharged in October 1945, and have been in active practice since a little after October 1945, when I returned to Dallas.
Mr. Hubert. Mr. Kaufman, do you know Jack L. Ruby?
Mr. Kaufman. Yes; I am acquainted with Jack Ruby.
Mr. Hubert. How long have you known him?
Mr. Kaufman. Actually, Mr. Hubert, it has been difficult in my own mind to really go back, but I did go back into my files some time ago and I believe that the statement you have here that I knew him since 1954 is pretty accurate. It may be a few years difference either way.
Mr. Hubert. Mr. Kaufman, on several occasions in the past you have been attorney or lawyer for Mr. Ruby, is that not so?
Mr. Kaufman. I have handled some matters for Mr. Ruby; yes.
Mr. Hubert. Did you have any connection as an attorney for Mr. Ruby with reference to the homicide of Lee Harvey Oswald?
Mr. Kaufman. No.
Mr. Hubert. Now, in the course of this examination, Mr. Kaufman, it may be that some of the questions that I would ask would require answers which may invade or violate in some way the lawyer-client privilege which might exist between you and Mr. Ruby. I might not know that. On the other hand, I think you are in a position to know it. I want to state to you that it is not my purpose or the Commission’s purpose to cause you to violate or to jeopardize or compromise that lawyer-client relationship or privilege in the slightest way whatsoever. Therefore, I invite you to state to me at any time that you think the questions I ask require an answer that may violate or jeopardize or compromise that lawyer-client privilege. I assure you we will drop the matter immediately. Perhaps you wish to state your position on that problem now.