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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. II - Page 150« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Rufus Wayne , Special Agent, Youngblood)

Mr. Youngblood.
From the beginning to the last?
Mr. Specter.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Youngblood.
I would think 5 seconds.
Mr. Specter.
And you have described the first shot as being an explosive noise. How would you describe each of the second and third shots?
Mr. Youngblood.
Well, there wasn't too much difference in the noise of the first shot and the last two. I am not really sure that there was a difference. But in my mind, I think I identified the last two positively as shots, whereas the first one I thought was just an explosive noise, and I didn't know whether it was a firecracker or a shot. It seems, as I try to think over it, there was more of a crack sound to the last two shots. That may have been distance, I don't know.
Mr. Specter.
Now, as to time interval--was there longer or less time or the same between the first and second shots and the second and third shots?
Mr. Youngblood.
There seemed to be a longer span of time between the first and the second shot than there was between the second and third shot.
Mr. Specter.
Now, did you have any reaction or impression as to the source or point of origin of the first shot?
Mr. Youngblood.
I didn't know where the source or the point of origin was, of course, but the sounds all came to my right and rear.
Mr. Specter.
Now, how about as to the latter two shots, would the same apply, or would there be a different situation there?
Mr. Youngblood.
No; all of them seemed to sound that they were from the right.
Representative Ford.
Did they sound on the surface or in the air or couldn't you discern?
Mr. Youngblood.
I couldn't say for certain. I don't know.
Mr. Specter.
Now, did you then or have you ever had any contrary impression that the shots might have come from in front as opposed to the rear of the automobile?
Mr. Youngblood.
No, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Now, you say that you hit the Vice President's shoulder, and at that time you were indicating your left hand, I believe.
Mr. Youngblood.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Which hand did you use in hitting the Vice President's shoulder?
Mr. Youngblood.
My left, sir.
Mr. Specter.
And which shoulder of the Vice President did you hit?
Mr. Youngblood.
His right, because I turned this way. I turned to my left, with the hand out, and then came into his right shoulder.
Mr. Specter.
And when you moved from the front to the rear seat, would you describe in as much detail as you can your relative position with respect to the position of President Johnson's body?
Mr. Youngblood.
Well, the Vice President says that I vaulted over. It was more of a stepping over. And then I sat on top of him, he being crouched down somewhat.
Mr. Specter.
Indicating towards the left?
Mr. Youngblood.
He moved towards the center, or towards his left, yes, sir, and down. And then I sat on this portion of his arm here.
Mr. Specter.
Indicating the right upper portion of the arm from elbow to the shoulder?
Mr. Youngblood.
Yes, sir; generally.
Mr. Specter.
And what were the positions of the other occupants of the back seat at the time you sat on the Vice President?
Mr. Youngblood.
Mrs. Johnson more or less moved into a forward--just moved forward. And Senator Yarborough also moved forward, and possibly he moved over a little to the right. I am not sure. But we were all below the window level of the car. And those two generally were forward. But the Vice President was forward and a little to his left.
Mr. Specter.
In what direction did you look when you were first sitting on the Vice President?
Mr. Youngblood.
what direction did I look?
Mr. Specter.
Yes.
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