Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Could you distinguish faces in "area A"?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

The lights gave you no trouble by the time the transfer actually took place, is that correct?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir; that's correct.

Mr. Hubert.

All right. When did you first see Ruby in that crowd?

Mr. Combest.

Just as they started to lead Oswald past me, at the corner there I observed him lunge from the crowd. Almost the whole line of people pushed forward when Oswald started to leave the jail office, the door, the hall--all the newsmen were poking their sound mikes across to him and asking questions, and they were everyone sticking their flashbulbs up and around and over him and in his face. I don't--when he first lunged forward I don't think anyone noticed him. I didn't until he came apart from the crowd and continued on towards Oswald.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, did he come from the area--we have marked on this Exhibit 5100, as "area A," or as "area B," sir?

Mr. Combest.

The best I could tell he would be coming approximately half way between them there, between what you have marked as "area A," and "area B."

Mr. Hubert.

Sort of from the corner there?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

I would like for you to take the pen and mark an "X" on the spot that you first saw Ruby.

Mr. Combest.

About approximately [indicating], because

Mr. Hubert.

This was really the front line "1," through "2."

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

And I'm writing on the map, "Position where Ruby was first seen by Combest." Was he standing still then?

Mr. Combest.

No, sir; he was stepping forward and---or lunging forward, I guess would be the best way to put it.

Mr. Hubert.

You had not seen him, of course, prior to that moment?

Mr. Combest.

No, sir; I had not.

Mr. Hubert.

Had you seen him in the crowd at all?

Mr. Combest.

No, sir; I had not.

Mr. Hubert.

Had you seen him coming down ?

Mr. Combest.

No, sir; when I was standing with the crowd I couldn't see the ramp there, the Main Street ramp.

Mr. Hubert.

You could see a part of it, couldn't you, the bottom?

Mr. Combest.

Well, no, sir; it slanted up and they had an air conditioner sitting across here where you have to be almost in your--standing directly in the bottom of the ramp you couldn't see the top of it very clearly.

Mr. Hubert.

But, you testified that you knew Ruby's face well enough so that you could distinguish it in a crowd?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

You had looked into that crowd and your eyes had become accustomed to the lights?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, I ask you if you saw him in the crowd before he lunged forward?

Mr. Combest.

No, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Do you think you would have seen him had he been in that crowd during the 15 minutes or so prior to that shot, the shooting?

Mr. Combest.

Quite possibly if he had been there very long I believe I would have spotted him. I might not have, but knowing that he didn't belong there I believe I would have spotted him right off.

Mr. Hubert.

Well, now, what precautions were taken to assure that people who did not belong there would not be there?

Mr. Combest.

Well, everyone that went out into the basement from the Jail office had to have the press card, proper identification showing that they were members of the press and police officers. Other than that no one was admitted to the basement parking area.

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