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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VI - Page 291« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of B.j. Martin)

Mr. BALL. He would have been closer to the President's car than you would have?
Mr. MARTIN. Yes, sir---he would have been---I would say 3- or 4-foot closer than I was.
Mr. BALL. You traveled along the street about 3 or 4 feet apart from each other?

Mr. Martin.
Yes, sir---something like that.

Mr. BALL. When you heard the first shot, did you have any idea of the direction which the shot was coming from?
Mr. Martin.
No, sir; I didn't. I couldn't tell from which direction it was coming---any of the shots.
Mr. Ball.
Did you look?
Mr. Martin.
Yes, sir; I looked back to my right.
Mr. Ball.
After which shot?
Mr. Martin.
After the first shot.
Mr. Ball.
You looked to your right?
Mr. Martin.
I looked back to my right.
Mr. Ball.
What did you look at?
Mr. Martin.
At the building on the right there.
Mr. Ball.
Is that the Texas School Book Depository Building?
Mr. Martin.
Yes; it is.
Mr. Ball.
Did you see anything?
Mr. Martin.
No, sir.
Mr. BALL. As you turned to the right, did you turn your motorcycle also, or did you turn your body?
Mr. MARTIN. I believe I just turned my body. I don't believe I ever turned my motor. I believe I kept my motor headed down Elm Street---west on Elm.
Mr. Ball.
Did you take any notice of the President after the first shot?
Mr. Martin.
Yes, sir; I looked at the President after I heard the shot and he was leaning forward--I could see the left side of his face. At the time he had no expression on his face.
Mr. BALL,. Then, did you hear some more shots?
Mr. Martin.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Ball.
How many?
Mr. Martin.
Two more shots.
Mr. BALL. Did you see anything when you looked at the School Depository Building?
Mr. Martin.
No, sir--just the building.
Mr. BALL. And were you able to tell---to determine or did you have any opinion, as to the direction from which the shots were coming---the last two shots---from which direction they came?
Mr. Martin.
No, sir; you couldn't tell just where they were coming from.
Mr. Ball.
Was there any breeze that day?
Mr. Martin.
Yes; there was.
Mr. Ball.
From what direction?
Mr. Martin.
I believe it was blowing out of the southwest at that particular location. It seemed like we were going to turn into the wind as we turned off of Houston onto Elm.
Mr. Ball.
The wind was in your face?
Mr. Martin.
Yes; the best I can recall.
Mr. Ball.
Now, afterward, did the motorcade pick up speed then?
Mr. Martin.
After we turned onto Houston?
Mr. Ball.
No; after the shots?
Mr. Martin.
Yes--after the shots we picked up speed.
Mr. Ball.
Did you go on to Parkland?

Mr. MARTIN. Yes, sir; I did. I rode just part of the time alongside of the President's car. At times we were forced to the rear because of the pedestrians standing out on Stemmons and there just wasn't enough room to ride in there.
Mr. Ball.
Could you see the President?
Mr. MARTIN. No, sir; I couldn't see him---immediately after the first shot I saw him and after that I couldn't see him.
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