(Testimony of Clinton J. , Special Agent, Secret Service Hill)
Mr. Hill.
That's correct, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Can you characterize the type of acceleration which the car made after it started to speed forward- that is, the Presidential car.
Mr. Hill.
Well, the initial surge was quite violent, because it almost jerked me off the left rear step board. Then after that it was apparently gradual, because I did not notice it any more.
Mr. Specter.
What is your best estimate of the distance from the time of the shooting to Parkland Hospital?
Mr. Hill.
In time or--
Mr. Specter.
Time and distance.
Mr. Hill.
Distance, I have no idea.
Mr. Specter.
How about time?
Mr. Hill.
I would say roughly 4 minutes.
Mr. Specter.
Did Mrs. Kennedy say anything as you were proceeding from the time of the shooting to Parkland Hospital?
Mr. Hill.
At the time of the shooting, when I got into the rear of the car, she said, "My God, they have shot his head off." Between there and the hospital she just said, "Jack, Jack, what have they done to you," and sobbed.
Mr. Specter.
Was there any conversation by anybody else in the President's automobile from the time of the shooting to the arrival at Parkland Hospital?
Mr. Hill.
I heard Special Agent Kellerman say on the radio, "To the nearest hospital, quick."
Mr. Specter.
Any other comment?
Mr. Hill.
He said, "We have been hit."
Mr. Specter.
Now, was there any other comment you heard Special Agent Kellerman make?
Mr. Hill.
Not that I recall.
Mr. Specter.
Did Special Agent Greer say anything?
Mr. Hill.
No, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Mrs. Connally say anything?
Mr. Hill.
No, sir.
Representative Boggs.
Was Governor Connally conscious?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir; he was.
Mr. Specter.
Did Governor Connally say anything?
Mr. Hill.
No, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Did President Kennedy say anything?
Mr. Hill.
No, sir.
Mr. Specter.
What is your best estimate on the speed at which the President's car traveled from the point of the shooting to Parkland Hospital?
Mr. Hill.
It is a little bit hard for me to judge, since I was lying across the rear portion of the automobile. I had no trouble staying in that particular position--until we approached the hospital, I recall, I believe it was a left-hand turn and I started slipping off to the right-hand portion of the car. So I would say that we went 60, maybe 65 at the most.
Mr. Specter.
Were you able to secure a handhold or a leghold or any sort of a hold on the automobile as you moved forward?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir. I had my legs--I had my body above the rear seat, and my legs hooked down into the rear seat, one foot outside the car.
Mr. Specter.
What is your best estimate of the time of the assassination itself?
Mr. Hill.
Approximately 12:30.
Mr. Specter.
I am not sure whether I asked you about this--about how long did it take you to get from the shooting to the hospital?
Mr. Hill.
Approximately 4 minutes.
Mr. Specter.
What did you observe as to President Kennedy's condition on arrival at the hospital?
Mr. Hill.
The right rear portion of his head was missing. It was lying in the rear seat of the car. His brain was exposed. There was blood and bits of brain all over the entire rear portion of the car. Mrs. Kennedy was completely covered with blood. There was so much blood you could not tell if there had been any other wound or not, except for the one large gaping wound in the right rear portion of the head.
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