AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORD SERIES : AGENCY FILE NUMBER : ORIGINATOR : FROM: TO: TITLE: DATE: PAGES: SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE: CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : v9.1 MW 55923 Bocid: 232261315 JFK Assassination System Date: 10/7/201 Identification Form Agency Information HSCA 180-10105-10384 NUMBERED FILES 014447 Document Information HSCA TODD, JAMES ROBERT 05/09/1978 12 HAMMOND, SUE TODD, JAMES ROBERT RUBY, JACK; BACKGROUND; DESCRIPTION AND IDENTIFICATION LEADS AND INFORMATION SUMMARY , ‘ Unclassified Open in Full Redact 08/08/1993 Attached copy of criminal record. Box 258. Page i
. KENNEDY “oy SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS — Name James Robert .Todd ee 7 Date May 9, 1978" Time 10:15. a.m. wo Address 2F4 Cates Do m Place: Offices of his attorney . , - TO ZeT_N.. Exchange St. a |. hoe Dallas, Texas _ 7 a (357- 5676) Interview: On May 9, 1978 Staff Investigators. Joseph J. Basteri: and Albert Maxwell interviewed James Robert. Todd in the offices of his attorney Jerry Biesel. Mr. Todd states.that he is self- wo employed and heads the Todd Oil and Investment Co. Inc., located at 6116 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas. (Tel :214/369-6585) « Todd states that he was born in Groesbeck, Texas and came . to Dallas in 1939 and was arrested soon after as he was mistaken: for Henry Noble, a known criminal in the area. ‘While in jail. he ww met Lois Green and their friendship continued until Lois Green was killed by an unknown assailant on Decemher 24, 1949. While mention was made that Lois Green headed. a gang that was operating in and about the Dallas area, | Todd dia not subscribe _to this description of Lois Green.. Todd states that the Green gang is nothing but propaganda generated by the local press. There was no such organized crime but only a group of fellows who hung out together. These men may have committed crimes together but it was not under the direction of Lois Green. A | _ few minutes later, while dening organized crime existed in Dallas, Date transcribed Rife 5-24-78 Mw 55923 Docid: 32261315 Page 3 a ;
MW 35925 James Robert Todd Interview Page 2. these persons to inform them that Dallas is their territory and for them to get out of town and find their own territory. Todd admitted that in the 30's and early 40's Dallas was a wide open town until a reform district attorney by the name of Will Wilson cleaned up the town. To illustrate how he and Lois Green had no law enforcement or political connections, Todd suggested we check their arrest records which will disclose the countless times they had been ‘arrested for vagrancy. He pointed out that if anyone had any connections they would certainly not. be harrassed by the police department: in such a manner. Todd answered that he does not know the following named persons: Irwin Weiner, Lenny Patrick, Sam Yaras, Barney Baker, Harry Hall, Alex Gruber, Ralph Paul, Robert Ray McKeown, Andrew Armstrong, Tom Eli Davis IIIT, William Cies, Harry Olsen and James Braden. His answer as to his relationship with the fol- lowing persons are: Lewis McWillie - Only knew him as a crap player and gam-. bler. Never. associated with him. George Senator - Only knew him as a person who. would sell clothing; has bought-: a few suits from him. George Butler - Only knew him as a police officer and he was always "tailing me." Morgan Brown - Todd said he met him for the first time two or three months ago in Dallas. The meeting concerns some Boold: 322612315 Page 4
James Robert Todd Interview © Page 3. oil properties that a doctor friend of his invested $30,000 in. After some negotations by Todd, Morgan re- turned the $30,000 back to the doctor. William Decker - Only knew him as a police.officer. He had a reputation of being a good, firm man. Word was also out that Fritz was not a man to fool around with. Jettie Bass - He is dead now. Died of a heart attack a few years ago. He was an Indian... Todd knew him as a burglar. Nick Cascio - Describes him as a very nice guy until some-. one crosses him and then he could be very tough. Has ‘known him for 35 years. Todd last saw him three or four months ago and is in bad health with cancer. He said Cascio was a burglar. Angelo Thomas Casten -~States he only knows him from ‘the Dallas area.. | Hollis de Lois Green - Has known him since 1939 and lists him as one of his best friends. Hewould not go into too- much detail as to what -type association they had but only constantly praised Lois Green as being a "great guy." Ray Brondo - A used car salesman; hasn't seen him in 25 years. R.D. Mathews - Toda states he knew Mathews very well. When we attempted to question him regarding any illegal acti- vity he and Mathews were engaged in during the Green. J Todd replied, "Let's just say we were social friends MW 55923 Doold:32261315 Page 5
James Robert Todd Interview Page 4. and leave it at that." 4 James Henry Dolan - Only knew him as a casual friend. Paul Roland Jones - Had known him for two. or three years. Did not know too much about him but questioned the fact that Ruby associated with Jones. Todd said that Jones was not the type to have Ruby around him because of his (Ruby's) association with the police. Joe Bonds - Todd said he knew him as a night club operator and that Lois Green was killed outside of Bond's night club. Campisi - Todd said he is just a guy who runs a restaurant. Never associates with him but has eaten in his restaurant. It must be noted that Todd was purposely vague about describ- ing details of..the persons that he was associated with. He also would not go’into too many facts concerning any illegal activi- ties with the exception of admitting to two crimes that he had committed. One was for the crime of homicide and the other was a burglary. He was convicted and served time for both crimes. The details Todd gave concerning his homicide arrest was as fol- lows: Todd stated that on September 3, 1953, while seated in ’ a. restaurant, a man entered, and without any provocation, pro- ceeded to cut Todd on the Side of his throat and other parts of his body. Todd ran outside, bleeding profusely, obtained a gun from R.D. MATHEWS, fired one shot into the air to make:.certain the gun was in working order and then entered the premises and MW 55923 Doold: 322615315 Page 6
James Robert Todd Interview Page 5. shot said assailant to death. He was arrested and served two years for this crime. On November 22, 1961 he received a full pardon. for this crime. The other crime Todd admitted to was ~- when he was arrested for burglary by throwing a rock through a window and stealing $500 which he gave to a friend who needed the money. Todd denied ever being engaged in safe cracking activities although his arrest record discloses 4 arrests for transporting explosives indicating the arrests may have been for carrying nitro, an explosive commonly used by safe crackers for blowing - up safes. Since the death of Lois Green in 1949 Todd said he began to break away from what he was doing and decided to get a job. He worked at different places until finally he went into the oil business and has been extremely successful.in that field. Mr. Biesel, Todd's attorney, had quoted to us during an earlier interview that Todd is now a millionaire. He heads the located at 6116 North Expressway, Dallas, Texas. When asked about Sue's Used Car Lot,.Todd replied that he was. very familar with the place as he worked there as a sales- man for several years. The car lot was operated by Sue Souther- land who later married Harry Hammond. They are still married and she is presently the Vice President of the Merchants Bank. NW 35923 Docld: 32261315 Page 7
.James Robert Todd Interview . Page 6. : Todd described Sue Hammond as an extremely honest person who would never be involved in any dishonest act. Todd denied that the Sue's Used Car Lot was used as a hangout for his cronies and that while there they planned illegal activities. Todd denied these charges, explaining that the purpose he ob- tained this job for was to offset the frequent arrests for va- grancy that he was receiving from the Dallas Police Department. He also would not allow any of his friends to use these premises for a hangout out of respect for Sue Hammond as he knew she would not approve of it and he did not want ‘her to get into trouble. According to Todd, he does not remember what year or under what circumstances he met Jack Ruby. He describes their asso- Ciation as being so casual that he really cannot recall any de- tails of even when he last saw him. Todd could not explain or understand how Ruby would have his phone number in his possession ke he does not believe he ever gave his phone number to Ruby. Todd admits to being in the Silver Spur several times and had visited the Vegas Club. He thinks he remembers Eva Grant as being at the door of the Vegas Club. Todd strongly denied hav- ing any dealings or associations with Ruby. He would explain that when he met Ruby in the street he would exchange greetings and continue: .to walk as Ruby would always try to stop and engage him in a social conversation. Todd characterized Ruby as al- ways being in the police station on social calls and he was: B WW 55925 Doold:32261315 Page 6
James Robert Todd Interview Page 7. , extremely friendly with police officers. On the other hand, Todd said he and his friends wanted nothing to do with police officers and stayed as.far away from them as possible. Todd could not conceive of Ruby being associated with anyone in- volved in any criminal organization with him (Ruby) being so closely associated with the police department. The fear was always there that Ruby could be a police informant, so stated Todd. Todd answered the questions rather freely and we were never cautioned by his attorney, Jerry Biesel, as to the type of questions being asked. The interview ended with Todd suggest- ing, if needed, we can again call him and he would be willing to speak to us again. NW 35923 Dooald: 32261315 Page 9
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vpn pe THR STATE OF TSEAS . The folicwtig is & Gonsctig’ of Se reourd, includina the most xevatly ported Cages. at shows, 10 te then of tre State Seca J idannficate: ex Rocords conceNMay our number afi , 2. . vos “apts 5% OT Pg Boat 2. BBL Newbee | 3803885 | Rekekensnenches hon ' . — ~~ — ae ary) . 5 - gene eine aT Cane SSE TES + Ss ee hane et opto OB . } Bormedt, &. ¥- Ene RR | dnaes Robert wa | vars. Ts: fee je‘). rat ‘| Bath, M ¥-. e836 dance p. ath vipasee G7 a. cep le ane 02 7 | ,Q6ebl | | Wash, DB. &. Mi1.2n sab games Robert Baa Aim. - ; Stab? «| Ghereport, ts. = | PSEC san fete A Dew. : i183 Pallas, Terae Janes Robert Tut Iw. . , Maie 3 sas J parties, Texas Jamo Robert Tod4 : 1B wretery _Mel a bot - 4 . . . ‘ . i oye Tie. Worth, Ferns James Robert Toi4 | Vag. let oa Bm ; doe} bS "Saneg Rohers Tat | itv. orn +e 7 |sanen Roser Told Ty. sett . Shrevegort, TA. - sable . Rouston, Texas Dalles, Texas n Babert Todd jBaraterg & Yan. BY $s. Teeesere. sames Pebert TAA | PR-W.D.tacenstn, ‘ . OO j wedawesel Titent th Bead. pe ape ind | Laeteky - S.Dieby. Inatian, Fexas Bo 5.6.u7 Baton Roage, Ta. .P. Todd - ata So ae Baton Pour, fA- ares F. me Efe i AONE Pe samen Elen, CaP TEOR tw Ree Uma ye Dany Fy Gib? Altaa, Pevas NW, 55923 Doolid: 32261315 Page ii
. AM BARRON, I a "que BYAtE OF TERAS. 7 tho tollawae &  treaiergt tthe record, snehutines ee EA venom 2 opeakiad 42 os tees te toe 4 he State Butea of IdyatPuber: and Ressids 0. ‘Reomung far HUMLET gpk, mua x .an4 . . . . + . bat F. & Y Numbes TEP SERS Lo. “ee 1 Mba eros 1 oe 5 7 : amy . ce] ome ; ieee on ats MR, NOM rene leet ee + Semae pen ee ae pe De 12-GkB [patie , Texne POF2ceSn [dame Robert “ati 7 ave Bargnry Het ~ GG pope . ' 5 2 ; Hp q Robeet add fiw. armed ehh & ple. if .theso finer, Texan. PORE dames FY : cae velar sl 12 Pallas, Zexs BORLA] [Janes Rabark “sd D at. pene “41 Bie te at? , . , ‘ \ Fi | " n ipaties, te teeh Tones Hobart ard Vis fee Ast tittn iA ; 120052 [Delien, Meas FISH 4 Sagientoes tn inter Cohan ‘ ‘ Dal isOWI7Ght? dames. Robert Pade: fang exploit ves rf }-09.93 Dallas, Texas Bona | one ee ba 4 A. - : . ty - 3 r a) Kel t rf " LeaeSd Dallas, Texse HTH ewes Robert Totd. cre Marit. tay rw { 7 - t - E wit yo Wen ses s * wanes Robert Todt Trans Erp i. fom ty 5-4-4) tailas, Texae ; Sc 1966" " i farttor , fare i “ - Rabere Tohd = | Tram, Mepi-etecs ty t see 5) ‘p2e52 | Seagovitie, Temas pewene § aneo Ro jae Canriae | lp x. , . - : .Bobe* Pik Alvan earl: ee ate ye SP tap. mB i-%92 9 [Pemaritns, Texas anes bes ; “tare? | : . ¥ . . . “os . . . ; 7 : . ort Band pene Hee, at ‘teh Fated oh wee ‘the ys3$  [Daline, Lexa amen Robert Told £8. Fosbe<y ( : B-#;,2.55 |Dullen, Rera3 ; Robart Bd =} urtee oye, Doe . as a 7 - | flat Runtaet ble, texts 4 TRE? amex Ra yert. T i wv oeN . we et . * i ‘ : te “@e “ a: q ee i ee snaclhngg tegen ACCT RED SE TR ERE So Bs + Fee ern et GRE GP ee tt pe penetra fe TEP = O Rewer ea ee Mh Les * MW 55923 Docld:32261315 Page i2
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