That's not what the head of the Dallas bar said. Oswald first wanted John
Abt. If Abt couldn't represent him, Oswald said he might accept an ACLU
lawyer or, according to Nichols, "a lawyer here [Dallas] who believes in
anything I believe in."
Oswald: "A lawyer HERE".
Nichols' testimony:
He [Oswald] said, "Well, that is the man [Abt] he would like to have
represent him." Then he asked me if I knew any lawyers who were members of
the American Civil Liberties Union, and he said, "Well, I am a member of
that organization, and I would like to have somebody who is a member of
that organization represent me." And I said, "I'm sorry, I don't know
anybody who is a member of that organization."
Although, as it turned out later, a number of lawyers I know are members.
Two or three of them called me later. He said, "Well, if I can't get
either one of those, and if I can----"
Mr. STERN. That is either----
Mr. NICHOLS. "Either Mr. Abt or someone who is a member of the American
Civil Liberties Union, and if I can find a lawyer here who believes in
anything I believe in, and believes as I believe, and believes in my
innocence"-then paused a little bit, and went on a little bit and said,
"as much as he can, I might let him represent me."
I said, "What I am interested in knowing is right now, do you want me or
the Dallas Bar Association to try to get you a lawyer?"
He said, "No, not now."