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Image of the crowd lining up to see the Jack Ruby trial
Image of the crowd lining up to see the Jack Ruby trial

Image of the crowd lining up to see the Jack Ruby trial

Object number2004.058.0190.0002
Date02/21/1964
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)
Collections
DescriptionOriginal black and white negative on Kodak Safety Film taken by Dallas Morning News photographer Bill Winfrey. The image shows a line of people waiting inside the doors of the Criminal Courts and Jail and spilling out onto the sidewalk during Jack Ruby's trial. February 21, 1964 was the second day of jury selection. The Old Red Courthouse on the east side of Dealey Plaza is visible in the background.
Curatorial Commentary
Crowds formed each morning of the Jack Ruby trial as spectators waited in line for a chance to secure a seat inside the courtroom. Seating was very limited, and registered members of the news media were given priority access. Some of the interesting individuals to attend one or more days of the Jack Ruby trial included Marguerite Oswald, mother of accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald; the brothers and sisters of Jack Ruby; Ann Rose, wife of juror #10 J. Waymon Rose, who had no other way to see her husband while he was sequestered; and Joyce Martin, wife of ABC News broadcaster Murphy Martin. Joyce Martin took detailed notes for her husband, who waited outside to conduct interviews with witnesses coming out of the courtroom. - Stephen Fagin, Curator