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T14 Transcript of The State vs Ruby, Examination of Prospective Jurors, Volume 9

Object number2010.027.0654
Date02/28/1964 - 02/29/1964
ClassificationsDocuments
ObjectTranscript
Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection/Estate of Melvin Belli
MediumPaper
Dimensions11 3/16 × 8 5/8 × 1 3/16 in. (28.4 × 21.9 × 3 cm)
DescriptionTranscript of The State of Texas vs. Jack Rubenstein alias Jack Ruby, Statement of Facts, Examination of Prospective Jurors, Volume Nine. Melvin Belli, Joe Tonahill, Phil Burleson and Sam Brody spoke for Ruby; Henry Wade, Dallas County District Attorney, was the prosecutor, assisted by Jim Bowie, Bill Alexander and Frank Watts. The presiding judge was Judge Joe B. Brown. Prospective jurors examined: Richard A. Smith, B. J. Small, Chester L. Skidmore, J. Waymon Rose, Thomas J. Fee, Edith Brackin, Raymond J. Thiel, John Aubrey Lee, Emmet H. Lindsay, C. W. Brown, Oslin Nation, Donald G. Abel, Erwin J. Ruhland, G. I. Bailey, Dixie Valetto, Srena Hammond, George A. Roland, Mrs. Vera Johnson, S. W. Holt, Robert R. Good, Edwin C. Shatz Jr., Mrs. A. E. Tyler and Mrs. Lois Spracklen. J. Waymon Rose was selected to the jury. Transcript retains original gray covers; pages are numbered 1996 - 2286, typed on thin onionskin paper. Typed text on the cover: "No. E. 4010-J In the Criminal District Court No. 3, of Dallas County, Texas. January Term, A. D. 1974. [sic] The State of Texas vs. Jack Rubenstein, alias Jack Ruby. Statement of Facts Examination of Prospective Jurors Volume Nine February 28 - 29, 1964 - Pages 1996 - 2286 Copy" Printed at the bottom of the cover: "James J. Muleady Official Court Reporter Phone Davis 1-5882 Dallas, Texas"
Curatorial Commentary
The Museum recorded oral histories with the following individuals named in this document: juror J. Waymon Rose, defense attorneys Joe Tonahill and Phil Burleson and Dallas County D.A. Henry Wade. In addition, an audio oral history with juror J. Waymon Rose is part of the Dr. John Mark Dempsey Collection (2014.019). - Stephen Fagin, Curator

I had the tremendous pleasure of first meeting juror J. Waymon Rose, as well as his late wife Ann, in June 2002. That year, the Roses donated a large collection of trial-related material to The Sixth Floor Museum (Waymon and Ann Rose Collection, 2002.052), including three oversized scrapbooks that Ann compiled during the Ruby trial and its aftermath. Most notably, their collection includes separate handwritten journals kept by both Waymon and Ann Rose during the course of the trial. These remarkable firsthand documents provide a unique window in the daily life of a Ruby trial juror as well as the flip-side perspective -- what it was like to be the spouse of a sequestered juror during the course of the trial. Both Waymon's journal (2002.052.0155) and Ann's journal (2002.052.0156) can be read in their entirety in our online collection.

Ann Rose recorded an oral history in 2004 and sadly passed away much too soon in 2012. J. Waymon Rose, as of late 2019, is one of two known surviving Ruby trial jurors. Waymon recorded oral history interviews in 2002 and 2013 and participated in a total of eight public and educational programs at the Museum between 2004 and 2014. Always willing to share his experiences with wit and charm, Waymon became the very first speaker in the Museum's popular "Living History" program series on February 15, 2008. (Sadly, that pilot session was Waymon's only program not to be videotaped as part of the Museum's ongoing Oral History Project.) It was a distinct honor and a great pleasure to moderate all of these conversations with Waymon over the years, and we will always consider Waymon, Ann and the rest of the Rose clan to be part of our extended Museum family. - Stephen Fagin, Curator