Mr. Benton.

I am a correspondent for CBS News.

Mr. Hubert.

How long have you been a correspondent for CBS News?

Mr. Benton.

I have been employed by CBS News for 4 years. I have been a correspondent since February. I'll clarify that. Correspondent is a title. I have been a reporter for CBS News since 1960.

Mr. Hubert.

And what was your occupation prior to that, sir?

Mr. Benton.

I was a reporter for a television station in Charlotte, N.C.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, Mr. Benton, I am inquiring this morning about the events of November 22 through November 24, 1963 in Dallas, in particular connection with the death of President Kennedy and the death of Lee Harvey Oswald, and the connection of Jack Ruby with the latter event. Is it a fact that you were assigned as a correspondent for CBS to cover the Presidential visit to Dallas on November 22?

Mr. Benton.

That is correct.

Mr. Hubert.

When did you arrive there, sir?

Mr. Benton.

I arrived on Thursday, November 21.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, where were you when the President was shot?

Mr. Benton.

I was at television station KRLD, which is located, I believe, on Camp Street.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, after the President was shot and after his death, where did you go?

Mr. Benton.

I went to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Hubert.

How long did you stay there?

Mr. Benton.

Approximately 2 hours. A little less than 2 hours.

Mr. Hubert.

Would you state for the record, please, approximately when you got there and approximately when you left?

Mr. Benton.

I arrived at the hospital at approximately I p.m. central standard time. I would guess that I left around 2:30 or 2:45 central standard time.

Mr. Hubert.

Do you know a Scripps-Howard reporter or correspondent by the name of Seth Kantor?

Mr. Benton.

I do not.

Mr. Hubert.

Now you, of course, subsequent to November 2.2, saw and identified and could now identify a man by the name of Jack Leon Ruby, is that correct?

Mr. Benton.

I certainly could.

Mr. Hubert.

Did you see him at Parkland Memorial Hospital--

Mr. Benton.

I did not.

Mr. Hubert.

On the 22d?
Mr. BENTON No, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Did you remain in any particular place at Parkland or did you move around?

Mr. Benton.

I moved around from the emergency entrance, where I talked to Senator Yarborough--Senator Yarborough was in a car about three cars behind the Presidential car--that was the first spot to which I went. The second spot was a pressroom which had been set up, which, I believe was a nursing classroom. That's the spot at which the announcement of the President's death was made. The other place to which I went at the hospital was the nurses' quarters, which is across the street about 100 yards, and my purpose in going there was to get to a pay phone since all the phones leading to the hospital were jammed up at the time.

Mr. Hubert.

Would you tell us about what time you left Parkland to go to the nurses' home?

Mr. Benton.

Well, this was not to go and stay. This was a shuttle. I went over there several times. The first time I went was after interviewing Senator Yarborough, which I would guess to be shortly after 1p.m. The next time I went was after Mr. Kilduff had announced that the President was dead.

Mr. Hubert.

Could you tell us the circumstances under which that announcement was made?

Mr. Benton.

Yes, sir. There was a room with, I would guess, 40 to 50 reporters in it. Mr. Kilduff came in and yelled to everybody to be quiet and sit down. He said, "I have to announce that the President of the United States died at approximately 1 p.m. central standard time of bullet wounds in the