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T43 Transcript of Jack Ruby Estate Proceedings in Probate Court No. 2
T43 Transcript of Jack Ruby Estate Proceedings in Probate Court No. 2

T43 Transcript of Jack Ruby Estate Proceedings in Probate Court No. 2

Object number1994.002.0003
Date06/06/1967
ClassificationsDocuments
ObjectTranscript
Credit LineDallas County District Clerk Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumPaper
Dimensions11 1/8 × 8 5/8 × 3 in. (28.3 × 21.9 × 7.6 cm)
Collections
DescriptionTranscript of Jack Ruby Estate Proceedings in Probate Court No. 2 in and for Dallas County, Texas. Judge Ted Z. Robertson presiding. Jules F. Mayer and Marvin L. Levin served as proponents for the holographic will Jack Ruby wrote and signed in August 1950. Harold G. Adams and Julian F. Foster appeared as proponents for the handwritten will Jack Ruby wrote and signed in August 1966 while he was in jail, awarding personal effects to then-deputy sheriff Norman Hooten. Phil Burleson and Alan Adelson spoke on behalf of the family of Jack Ruby who contested the August 5, 1966 will. Lawyer Marvin Thomas appeared for witness Doris Warner. Witnesses called to testify in these proceedings were Jules F. Mayer, Dr. Charles F. Mayer, Norman H. Hooten, Tom Ellis, Beverly Matthews, Lucille Lacy, Phil Burleson, Dr. L. J. West, Alan Adelson, Mrs. Eva Grant, Earl Ruby, Dr. Eugene Frankel and Doris Warner. Closing arguments were presented by Mr. Adams, Mr. Levin, Mr. Burleson, Mr. Adelson and Mr. Foster. Judge Robertson affirmed the 1950 will, naming Jules F. Mayer as executor. He denied the August 5, 1966 will or codicil to the will submitted by Norman Hooten; he also allowed that Hooten, since his application was a failure, would be responsible for legal costs associated with the proceedings. This transcript is 455 sturdy onionskin pages with original blue front and back covers. Text on cover states: "No. 67-352-P/2 In Re: Estate Of Jack L. Ruby a/k/a Jack Rubenstein, Deceased In the Probate Court No. 2 In and For Dallas County, Texas Trial Before Judge Robertson Original" Printed on the bottom of the cover and the footer of each page is the following text: "Lyle & Associates Certified Court Reporters RI 8-3090 [subsequent internal pages of transcript as "RI 7-9646"] Dallas, Texas" The last page is certified and signed by court reporter and notary public Jeanne Friou Lyle on "The 21st day of June, A. D., 1967.".
Curatorial Commentary
The Museum recorded oral histories with Jack Ruby's brother, Earl, and defense attorney Phil Burleson. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
The late Alan Adelson served as Earl Ruby's attorney and probate attorney for Jack Ruby's will. In 1988, shortly before his death, he published his memoir, The Ruby-Oswald Affair.  Adelson never actually met Jack Ruby but, as quoted by the press in 1967, his "chief job [was] to continue validating Jack Ruby's name." This was a role he would continue to fill for twenty years. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
A holographic will is an unwitnessed will that is written, signed and dated by hand. Not all states recognize holographic wills, and states that do permit them have specific requirements the document must meet. An attorney is not involved in the preparation of a holographic will. - Jan Masterson, Collections Cataloguer
A codicil is a legal document that changes specific provisions of a will but leaves all other provisions the same. Codicils can alter, change, add to or subtract from the provisions in a will resulting in explanations, modifications or revocations. - Jan Masterson, Collections Cataloguer