Family Dismisses Ruby’s Counsel

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 11

Family Dismisses Ruby’s Counsel

(N.Z. Press Association)

DALLAS, March 19.

The controversial San Francisco lawyer, Mr Melvin Belli, nas been fired as chief defence counsel for Jack Ruby, who was convicted and sentenced to death last Saturday for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President Kennedy.

Mrs Eva Grant, sister of the convicted killer,. told the “Dallas Morning News” she Mr-mailed a letter last night to Mr Belli’s California office stating that his services were no longer wanted. The Ruby family and the defendant himself “were dissatisfied with the defence presented by Mr Belli, and expressed shock at the tirade he

delivered after Saturday's verdict,” Mrs Grant said. Mr Belli’s televised bitter comments have brought wide criticism from Texas officials and from officials of the American Bar Association.

Ruby’s brother, Mr Hyman Ruby, of Chicago, said: “The opinion that this man expressed about Dallas, the jury, Judge Joe B. Brown, and District Attorney Henry Wade are not shared by Jack or any member of his family.” The letter outlined the family’s disagreement with Mr Belli’s “constant bitter criticism of Dallas and the people of Texas” that were aimed at “promoting only Mr Belli's personal fame and fortune.”

The letter said: “We do not know what we will do for further counsel. “We have no choice at this time. But God willing, we will get help somehow. We will pray for help, and hope that Mr Belli will do likewise.”