Courtroom sketch of press interview at Jack Ruby trial dated March 6, 1964

Object number2004.020.0006

Date03/06/1964

ClassificationsArt

Artist Charles Fisher

ObjectCourtroom sketch

Credit LineChuck Fisher Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

MediumPaper

Dimensions14 × 17 in. (35.6 × 43.2 cm)

Terms

Collections

DescriptionCourtroom pencil sketch on paper by Charles Fisher. The sketch shows members of the press interview during the trial of Jack Ruby on March 6, 1964. The sketch shows the group of attorneys and members of the press standing directly in front of the judge's bench. A large American flag and a large Texas flag protrude from the wooden scrollwork behind the judge's bench. The caption in the bottom right reads "Recess - Jack Ruby murder trial/ 3/6/1964." The artist's signature: "C. Fisher" is at the bottom right, underneath the sketch. Charles "Chuck" Fisher was the art director at KRLD-TV in 1963. Fisher made the pencil sketches during the trial of Jack Ruby for KRLD-TV after the judge barred cameras from the courtroom.

Curatorial Commentary

This sketch by KRLD-TV art director Charles Fisher was made on Friday, March 6, 1964. This day began with the screening of film footage of the Oswald shooting both out of and in the presence of the jury. This was followed by the testimony of Dallas police Captain Glen King, Sergeant Pat Dean and Carousel Club stripper Little Lynn (Karen Bennett). A telephone company employee, Ralph Templin, provided very brief testimony regarding the phone call made to Jack Ruby on November 24, 1963, that ultimately led him to the Western Union office near Dallas police headquarters. The day concluded with testimony from salesman William Serur, who offered a fascinating portrait of Jack Ruby as an unpredictable and emotional man who considered his dogs to be his children, and fellow nightclub operator William Howard. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator