Dallas · 24 November 1963
Ruby, Oswald and the loss of a trial
Lee Harvey Oswald died before he could stand trial for the assassination of President Kennedy. Jack Ruby's shooting of Oswald therefore became both a major event in the case and a subject of extensive investigation in its own right.
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The shooting
11:21 a.m., Dallas Police Headquarters
On Sunday 24 November 1963, Dallas police were preparing to transfer Oswald from the city jail to the county jail. The Warren Commission reported that at 11:21 a.m., as Oswald was brought through the police basement in view of television cameras, Jack Ruby stepped forward and shot him once. Oswald was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital and died later that day.
Because Oswald died before a criminal trial could take place, the assassination evidence was never tested through a normal prosecution in which witnesses could be examined and challenged before a jury. Later public understanding therefore depended heavily on police work, federal investigations, the Warren Commission and subsequent congressional review.
Conspiracy question
How the Warren Commission investigated Ruby
The Commission investigated Ruby's background, movements, contacts and possible relationship with Oswald. In its published report it said its investigation produced no evidence that Ruby conspired with anyone in planning or carrying out Oswald's killing. The Commission also examined allegations that Ruby and Oswald had known each other and reported that it found no evidence establishing such a relationship.
Structured archive
Search the JFK database
Search records for Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald, Dallas Police Headquarters and the events of 24 November 1963.