Ruby, Jack L.

Ruby, Jack L. (b. Rubenstein, Jacob)

(1911–67) assassin; born in Chicago. He came from a broken home and engaged in petty crimes such as "scalping" tickets. He served in the U.S. Air Force (1943–46) and operated nightclubs and dance halls in Dallas, Texas. Two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, he shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of the President. Despite many attempts to link Ruby to some conspiracy, most disinterested students believe he acted on his own. He was sentenced to death (1964) but died while awaiting a second trial.