Jack Ruby, born Jacob Leon Rubenstein, is best known for his role in the assassination saga of President John F. Kennedy by killing Lee Harvey Oswald. His actions and their implications have been the subject of much speculation and investigation. Here’s a detailed look at Jack Ruby’s life and his role in the Kennedy assassination:
Early Life and Background
- Birth and Family:
- Jack Ruby was born on March 25, 1911, in Chicago, Illinois, to Joseph Rubenstein and Fannie Turek Rutkowski. He was one of eight children in a Polish-Jewish immigrant family.
- Childhood and Early Life:
- Ruby had a troubled childhood marked by family instability. His parents separated, and he spent time in foster homes and juvenile institutions.
- As a young man, Ruby became involved in the street life of Chicago, engaging in various illegal activities including gambling and running errands for local mobsters.
Move to Dallas
- Career and Business Ventures:
- In the late 1940s, Ruby moved to Dallas, Texas, where he operated various nightclubs and strip clubs. His establishments included the Carousel Club and the Vegas Club.
- Ruby’s businesses were frequented by law enforcement officers, local politicians, and sometimes underworld figures, indicating his connections within the local community.
- Personality and Reputation:
- Ruby was known for his volatile temper and was described as a brash and impulsive character.
- Despite his criminal activities, Ruby was also seen as a patriotic American who was fiercely anti-communist.
Involvement in the Kennedy Assassination
- Kennedy Assassination:
- President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and charged with the murder of both Kennedy and Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit.
- Murder of Lee Harvey Oswald:
- On November 24, 1963, Ruby shot and killed Oswald in the basement of the Dallas police headquarters. The murder occurred while Oswald was being transferred from the city jail to the county jail and was broadcast live on television.
- Ruby used a .38 caliber Colt Cobra revolver to shoot Oswald, who was pronounced dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital shortly after.
Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment
- Arrest and Motive:
- Ruby was immediately arrested at the scene. During his trial, Ruby claimed that he killed Oswald out of grief and anger over Kennedy’s assassination, and to spare Jacqueline Kennedy the ordeal of a trial for Oswald.
- However, Ruby’s true motives have been widely debated, with some suggesting he was part of a larger conspiracy to silence Oswald.
- Trial and Conviction:
- Ruby’s trial began in February 1964. He was defended by prominent attorney Melvin Belli, who argued that Ruby’s actions were impulsive and driven by a psychomotor epileptic seizure.
- In March 1964, Ruby was convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to death. The conviction was later overturned on appeal in 1966, on the grounds that Ruby did not receive a fair trial due to the intense publicity surrounding the case.
- Health and Death:
- While awaiting a new trial, Ruby’s health deteriorated. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 1966.
- Jack Ruby died of a pulmonary embolism secondary to lung cancer on January 3, 1967, at Parkland Memorial Hospital, the same hospital where both Kennedy and Oswald had died.
Controversies and Conspiracy Theories
- Conspiracy Theories:
- Ruby’s murder of Oswald has fueled numerous conspiracy theories. Some believe Ruby was part of a larger plot to kill Kennedy and silence Oswald before he could reveal any information.
- Various theories implicate organized crime, the CIA, Cuban exiles, and even elements within the U.S. government. However, no conclusive evidence has emerged to support these claims.
- Investigations:
- The Warren Commission concluded that Ruby acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy involving Ruby in the assassination of Kennedy.
- The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) later suggested that Ruby’s connections to organized crime merited further investigation but did not provide definitive proof of a conspiracy.
Legacy
- Public Perception:
- Jack Ruby remains a controversial figure in American history. His killing of Oswald added another layer of mystery and intrigue to the already complex Kennedy assassination.
- Ruby’s actions and their motivations continue to be a subject of debate among historians, researchers, and conspiracy theorists.
- Cultural Impact:
- Ruby’s life and his role in the Kennedy assassination have been depicted in numerous books, films, and documentaries. His story is often explored as part of the broader narrative of the assassination and its aftermath.
In summary, Jack Ruby’s impulsive killing of Lee Harvey Oswald added a dramatic twist to the tragic events surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy. While officially considered an act of spontaneous retribution, Ruby’s actions have been the subject of much speculation and conspiracy theories, contributing to the enduring fascination with the Kennedy assassination.
Reference: National Archives – A Biography of Jack Ruby