The Clay Shaw trial testimony of Goldie Naomie Moore, continued

 

 

THE COURT: Is the State and Defense ready to proceed?

MR. DYMOND: Yes, sir.

MR. ALCOCK: Yes, sir.

THE COURT: You may proceed, Mr. Dymond.

BY MR. DYMOND:
Q: Miss Moore, do you know who paid Mr. Shaw's expenses on that trip to Portland?

A: The Portland Basin Association asked him to address them.

Q: Do you have any correspondence or any other documents in your file which might indicate who paid this bill?

A: Yes, sir, I do.

Q: May I see what you have, please.

A: (The witness complies with request of Counsel.)

MR. ALCOCK: May I see it, Irvin?

BY MR. DYMOND:
Q: Miss Moore, I show you a copy --

THE COURT: May I see it for just a second?

BY MR. DYMOND:
Q: Miss Moore, I show you a copy of a letter dated December 4, 1963 which has been marked for identification D-24 and I asked you whether you typed the original of this letter?

A: I did, sir.

Q: And what was done with the original?

A: I mailed it to Mr. Wells.

Q: And who is Mr. Wells?

A: Vice-President in Charge of the International Banking Department, First National Bank of Oregon, Post Office Box 3457, Portland 8, Oregon.

MR. DYMOND: In connection with the testimony of this witness I'd like to offer, file and produce in evidence this copy of the letter marked D-24 and I'd like to read it to the Jury.

THE COURT: Any objections?

MR. ALCOCK: As I appreciate the letter it was written by the Defendant and it is hearsay.

THE COURT: It is corroborative evidence and I will permit it. You may read it.

MR. DYMOND: December 4, 1963. "Mr. William R. Wells, Vice-President in Charge, International Banking Department, First National Bank of Oregon, Post Office Box 3457, Portland 8, Oregon.

"Dear Bill:

"I am back home again safe and sound but still seem to have the cold I picked up in the West. Everything out your way seemed to be bigger and better, including Bunyon size microbes.

"It was certainly good to be with you and I hope the talk will do some good. I am certainly appreciative of all your kindness and hospitality, particularly in view of the trying circumstances surrounding this occasion,

"I am enclosing herewith bill in the amount of $346.66 from Travel Consultants, Inc. who booked my transportation and I would appreciate it if you would have the Columbian Basin Export-Import Conference send a check directly to them in Room 100, International Trade Mart, 124 Camp Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.

"Please thank all your associates for their kindness to me and if there is any further information that you think might be helpful in furthering your World Trade Center in Portland, please do not hesitate to call upon me for anything I can tell you.

"Regards,

"Sincerely,

"/s/ Clay L. Shaw

"P.S. I will be most grateful if you could have someone send back the blow-up photograph of the Trade Mart by Railway Express collect. Thanks."

BY MR. DYMOND:
Q: Now, Miss Moore, as a result of that letter do you know whether the bill with Travel Consultants Inc. was paid?

A: I would say it was. We, I never received the check though.

Q: Did you ever receive another bill from them?

A: No, sir.

Q: Now, Miss Moore, I show you a photograph marked for identification as State-1, which has been identified as a photograph of Lee Harvey Oswald, and ask you whether you have ever seen this person in the company of the Defendant Clay Shaw or otherwise?

A: Never.

Q: I show you a photograph which has been marked for identification S-19, having been identified as a photograph of Lee Harvey Oswald with a beard drawn on it and I ask you whether you recognize that as any person with whom you have ever seen Mr. Clay Shaw, or whom you have ever seen otherwise?

A: I do not recognize him.

THE COURT: Keep your voice raised.

THE WITNESS: I do not recognize him.

BY MR. DYMOND:
Q: Now I show you a photograph marked for identification State-10, being a photograph of the late David W. Ferrie and I ask you whether you have ever seen that man with Mr. Clay Shaw or have you ever seen him anyplace else?

A: I have never seen him with Mr. Clay Shaw or any other place.

Q: Now, Miss Moore, in the years that you have known Mr. Shaw have you become familiar with his manner of dress?

A: He always wore a conservative business suit.

Q: Have you ever known him to wear tight pants?

A: Never.

Q: Have you ever known him to wear a hat?

A: Never.

Q: Have you ever seen him with a hat on --

A: No, sir -- except once a military hat, he didn't have it on but he had it in his hand right before he was dismissed from the Military Service.

Q: Right before he was dismissed from the Military Service?

A: Yes.

Q: Miss Moore, have you ever known Mr. Shaw to go by any other name other than Clay L. Shaw?

A: No, sir.

Q: Have you ever known him to go by the name of Clay Bertrand?

A: Never.

Q: Or Clem Bertrand?

A: Never.

Q: Do you know a lawyer by the name of Dean Andrews?

A: I do not know him, no, sir.

Q: Have you ever seen Mr. Andrews to your knowledge?

A: No, sir.

Q: Have you ever seen photographs of him in the press?

A: Yes, I have those.

Q: Based upon your having seen photographs of Mr. Andrews have you ever seen him in the International Trade Mart Building or in Mr. Shaw's office?

A: No, sir.

Q: Have you ever seen him with Mr. Shaw at any time?

A: Never.

MR. DYMOND: Just before I tender this witness. Your Honor, I have consulted with the State and they have no objections of my substituting a photostat of D-22. Miss Moore is concerned over keeping her files intact.

THE COURT: That copy of the letter that was given to you you can go get it photostated.

MR. DYMOND: You don't need that brochure in your file?

MISS MOORE: I think I have an extra one.

THE COURT: We will get you a copy of the copy.

MR. DYMOND: I tender the witness.

CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. ALCOCK:
Q: Miss Moore, were you Mr. Shaw's secretary for approximately 19 years, is that correct?

A: Yes, sir.

Q: Were you his personal secretary?

A: His personal secretary.

Q: I see. And during that 19-year period, have you ever been to the Defendant's apartment?

A: Never.

Q: You know any of his social friends away from work?

A: A few, yes.

Q: Who might they be?

A: A Mr. Biddison.

Q: You know -- Have you ever met Mr. Biddison?

A: Yes, I have met Mr. Biddison.

Q: When did you first meet Mr. Biddison?

A: Oh, I would assume at least 10 years ago.

Q: 10 years ago?

A: Yes, sir.

Q: Do you know whether or not the Defendant an Mr. Biddison were close friends?

A: Yes, close.

Q: Have you seen them together on occasion?

A: Uh, occasionally.

Q: Do you know where Mr. Biddison lives?

A: Not at present.

Q: Did you ever know where he lived?

A: I believe he lived on Barracks Street somewhere.

Q: Barracks Street. Do you remember how long ago that was?

A: No, it has been quite a while.

Q: Do you know of your own knowledge whether or not the Defendant ever lived with Mr. Biddison or Biddison ever lived with the Defendant?

A: No, I do not.

Q: Is it your testimony, Miss Moore, that you did generally not have any association with the Defendant after working hours, is that what you testified to?

A: My association with the Defendant after working hours would be at social events that were given by the International Trade Mart.

Q: Other than that did you have any social association with him?

A: No, sir, I hadn't.

Q: Do you know any, I think you mentioned Mr. Biddison, do you know anyone else that might have been a friend of his away from the Trade Mart and not connected with the Trade Mart?

A: A Mrs. Edgar Stern --

THE COURT: Speak louder, Miss Moore.

THE WITNESS: A Mrs. Edgar Stern, a Mrs. Muriel Frances Bultman, -- must they be in New Orleans?

BY MR. ALCOCK:
Q: No.

A: There was a Mrs. Wren, a Mr. and Mrs. Wren in Shreveport.

Q: Would that be as many as you might know right offhand?

A: Right offhand, yes, sir.

Q: Now this 90 day period you were talking about, could you tell me when this commenced, this 90-day program you were talking about that you were so busy on?

A: I would say August, September, October -- that would be four months, say, September, October, November 1963.

Q: September, October and November of '63?

MR. WEGMANN: That isn't what the witness said, she said August, September and October.

MR. ALCOCK: Your Honor, I'm going to ask Mr. Wegmann not to testify.

MR. WEGMANN: Well, then, don't misquote the witness.

THE COURT: Would you repeat your answer, Miss Moore, in a loud, clear voice?

THE WITNESS: September, October and November.

BY MR. ALCOCK:
Q: Thank you. That is what I thought you said. It was during this crash program or crash period that the Defendant made this trip to the West Coast?

A: He made it in November.

Q: Do you recall on what date he left for the West Coast?

A: The 15th of November.

Q: Do you recall on what date he returned?

A: No, sir, I do not.

Q: Do you know of your own knowledge whether or not he returned directly from the West Coast or whether he went to some other destination prior to coming back?

A: He was routed through Chicago and I don't recall whether he stopped there or not.

Q: Now, Miss Moore, do you recall the Defendant in the year 1963 renting any space to a Cuban organization in the International Trade Mart?

A: 1963?

Q: 1963.

A: No, I don't recall for the moment.

Q: Do you recall him ever renting any space for a Cuban organization or lending any Cuban organization -- use it free of charge for a time?

A: I don't recall.

Q: You don't recall?

A: No.

Q: Do you recall testifying before the Orleans Parish Grand Jury on August 23, 1967?

A: Yes, I do.

Q: Do you recall testifying at that time that the Defendant did either rent or allow a Cuban organization to use space at the Trade Mart?

A: I, uh, he may have -- I may have remembered better at that time. I don't know.

Q: Does it ring a bell at all with you now?

A: Are you alluding to the Cuban Trade Commissioner and Consul?

Q: No, no.

MR. DYMOND: Your Honor please, we are going to object unless the State tells the witness to what he is alluding.

MR. ALCOCK: She can answer the question, Your Honor.

BY MR. ALCOCK:
Q: Do you recall testifying to that effect before the Orleans Parish Grand Jury?

MR. DYMOND: I ask that my objection be ruled on.

THE COURT: I cannot tell the State or Defense how to cross-examine the witness if they are pursuing it along the proper lines and are attacking the credibility of a witness. I see no objection to the way the questions are being put so I will overrule your objection.

BY MR. ALCOCK:
Q: You recall that, Miss Moore?

A: I think it sort of comes back vaguely that for a very short while there was some organization called Americans Free Cuba or something of that and they were there for a very short while.

Q: Do you recall when that was?

A: No, I don't recall the exact year, sir.

Q: Could it have been the Freedom Democratic Party Cuban?

A: Yes, that sounds more like it.

Q: The word freedom was in the title that you recall?

A: Yes.

Q: Miss Moore, have you ever seen Mr. Biddison driving his automobile?

A: No, I haven't.

Q: Do you know of your own knowledge what type automobile he drove in 1963?

A: No, I do not.

Q: Miss Moore, you testified that except for social functions surrounding the duties, your duties at the Trade Mart, that after working hours you had no social acquaintances or acquaintances with the Defendant, is that correct?

A: Yes, sir, that is correct.

Q: Would that also hold true for weekends?

A: That is correct.

Q: And you could think of no more personal acquaintances of the Defendant away from the Trade Mart except the three that you have told us, is that correct, also?

A: At the moment I cannot think of any.

MR. ALCOCK: That's all.

RE-DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. DYMOND:
Q: One thing, Miss Moore: Do you have any documents in your file which would indicate reasonably specifically when the end of the lease negotiations for the new Trade Mart, that is, when all the leases, the negotiations were completed? Do you have anything in your file to that effect?

A: No. I do not have them with me. The ones that were taken to New York in order to consummate the financing, I think the last one was in November sometime and then of course later on there were additional ones.

Q: Do you remember when the deadline was for the commitments on the leases, the date of the deadline?

A: I think it was November 9.

MR. DYMOND: That is all.

MR. ALCOCK: No further questions.

THE COURT: Miss Moore, you are excused from the obligations of the subpoena. Mr. Dymond, we have a very weak copy but if we need it you can get a better copy from her. That is the copy of the copy.

(RECESS)

 

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