John Abt
John Abt was the lawyer Lee Harvey Oswald asked for several different times before he was shot by Jack Ruby. Abt testified before the Warren Commission and in later interviews that he had no idea who Oswald was and was in a cabin in Connecticut when Oswald supposedly called him (or had Ruth Paine call him). Questions have lingered as to how Oswald knew Abt or if Abt was just a lawyer Oswald remembered reading about in the past. Some conspiracy realists have suggested that mentioning Abt’s name was just another way for Oswald to ensure the intelligence organization he was working for that he was still the same “Lefty Lee” they depended on to do their dirty work. But where is the truth about Abt? Why was Oswald adamant in asking for Abt specifically?
Here’s what we know: (all links are from Mae Brussell’s essay, “The Last Words of Lee Harvey Oswald”)
- Oswald asked specifically for Abt on several occasions. The first was during the second interrogation by Captain Fritz between 4:45 and 6:00 pm on 11/22/63. Oswald stated:
I want that attorney in New York, Mr. Abt. I don’t know him personally but I know about a case that he handled some years ago, where he represented the people who had violated the Smith Act, [which made it illegal to teach or advocate the violent overthrow of the U.S. government] . . . I don’t know him personally, but that is the attorney I want. . . . If I can’t get him, then I may get the American Civil Liberties Union to send me an attorney.
- He then asked for Abt again during the second lineup for witnesses Mcwatters, Guinyard and Calloway around 6:30 pm:
“I didn’t shoot anyone,” Oswald yelled in the halls to reporters. . . . “I want to get in touch with a lawyer, Mr. Abt, in New York City. . . . I never killed anybody
- At 1:35 am, Oswald is arraigned before Judge Johnston and mentions Abt a third time:
“Well, sir, I guess this is the trial. . . . I want to contact my lawyer, Mr. Abt, in New York City. I would like to have this gentleman. He is with the American Civil Liberties Union.” (John J. Abt now in private practice in New York, was the general counsel for the Senate Sub-Committee on Civil Liberties from 1935-1937, and later served as legal adviser for the Progressive party from 1948-1951. Mr. Abt has never been a member of the ACLU.)
- At 10:30 am the next morning, he mentions Abt AGAIN:
“I said I wanted to contact Attorney Abt, New York. He defended the Smith Act cases in 1949, 1950, but I don’t know his address, except that it is in New York. .
- At 1:10 on 11/23 he again mentions Abt to his mother Marguerite and his wife Marina:
(To his Mother.) “No, there is nothing you can do. Everything is fine. I know my rights, and I will have an attorney. I already requested to get in touch with Attorney Abt, I think is his name. Don’t worry about a thing.”
(To his Wife.) “Oh, no, they have not been beating me. They are treating me fine. . . . You’re not to worry about that. Did you bring June and Rachel? . . . Of course we can speak about absolutely anything at all. . . . It’s a mistake. I’m not guilty. There are people who will help me. There is a lawyer in New York on whom I am counting for help. . . . Don’t cry. There is nothing to cry about. Try not to think about it. . . . Everything is going to be all right. If they ask you anything, you have a right not to answer. You have a right to refuse. Do you understand? . . . You are not to worry. You have friends. They’ll help you. If it comes to that, you can ask the Red Cross for help. You mustn’t worry about me. Kiss Junie and Rachel for me. I love you. . . . Be sure to buy shoes for June.”
- At 3:40 pm, Oswald calls Ruth Paine and says:
This is Lee. Would you please call John Abt in New York for me after 6:00 P.M. The number for his office is ___________, and his residence is _______________ . . . . Thank you for your concern.” How did Oswald have Abt’s number and address?
- And the last time he mentions Abt’s name is to Louis Nichols of the Dallas Bar Association at approximately 5:30 pm:
“Well, I really don’t know what this is all about, that I have been kept incarcerated and kept incommunicado. . . . Do you know a lawyer in New York named John Abt? I believe in New York City. I would like to have him represent me. That is the man I would like. Do you know any lawyers who are members of the American Civil Liberties Union? I am a member of that organization, and I would like to have somebody who is a member of that organization represent me.”
Abt’s name is mentioned by Oswald at least eight times according to Mae Brussell. Why? How did Oswald have Abt’s contact information? Why did Abt deny knowing Oswald?
To be continued…..
