Skip to main content
Image of journalist Dorothy Kilgallen going through security at the Ruby trial
Image of journalist Dorothy Kilgallen going through security at the Ruby trial

Image of journalist Dorothy Kilgallen going through security at the Ruby trial

Object number2004.058.0077.0001
Date1964
ClassificationsPhotographs
Photographer Bill Winfrey
ObjectNegative (b&w)
Credit LineBill Winfrey Collection, The Dallas Morning News/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumFilm
Dimensions2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. (5.7 x 5.7 cm)
DescriptionOriginal black and white negative on Kodak Safety Film by Dallas Morning News photographer Bill Winfrey showing Dallas County employee Rosemary Allen inspecting the purse of journalist Dorothy Killgallen at a security checkpoint for the 1964 Jack Ruby trial.
Curatorial Commentary
The security in place at the Dallas County Criminal Courts building during the Jack Ruby trial--which included bag searches and basic pat-downs--was a new concept to many who attended the trial.  The news media reported on the unprecedented security precautions, and a number of news photographs were taken of individuals participating in the procedures. Interestingly, based on the facial expressions of some reporters being searched, a few did not take the situation very seriously. - Stephen Fagin, Curator