Taking it from the point that you arrived there in the corridor where Mrs. Kennedy was seated, how long a time passed before it came to your knowledge that the President was dead?
Mr. O'BRIEN. I cannot recall the length of time I had with specific knowledge. My impression is I had perhaps at the outset in the first seconds or minutes, I had some doubt this had occurred.
I think perhaps what happened is that it penetrated, without a specific statement by anyone. I just had to conclude this had occurred, and it became obvious. At that point, however, Mr. Powers, Mr. O'Donnell, and I were not at all sure that this had penetrated with Mrs. Kennedy for a few minutes.

Mr. Adams.

Do you remember anything about a priest?
Mr. O'BRIEN. Yes; I do. I recall that Mr. O'Donnell told me that he had asked the staff, or it might have been a Secret Service man, or hospital staff person--in any event--someone to immediately secure a priest. There was no priest on the premises. And he had assumed perhaps a priest was en route, because by that time the knowledge that something serious had occurred certainly had become known through police radio and what-have-you.
But the priest arrived in a relatively short time. I don't know the specific time. But it didn't seem to be an awful long time. And, as a matter of fact, my recollection is that a second priest arrived, and then a third priest.

Mr. Adams.

And you don't know who they were?
Mr. O'BRIEN. I do not.

Mr. Adams.

During this interval, between the time that you arrived where Mrs. Kennedy was seated and the time it was officially determined that the President was dead, do you recall any conversation with Mrs. Kennedy?
Mr. O'BRIEN. No conversation other than, "Is there anything we can do for you?" Or a conversation of that nature in very brief and occasional sentences--no conversation as such.

Mr. Adams.

Did Mr. Powers stay with you all that time?
Mr. O'BRIEN. Yes; he did.

Mr. Adams.

Mr. O'Donnell?
Mr. O'BRIEN. Yes.

Mr. Adams.

Did there come a time when Mr. O'Donnell left?
Mr. O'BRIEN. Mr. O'Donnell, at one point we discussed the situation--and Mr. O'Donnell at one point determined that he should cross the corridor and advise the Vice President of what the situation appeared to be at that moment. And as I recall, it was the conclusion that this was an extremely serious matter, we hadn't any formal advice or official advice on the situation, but the seriousness of it should be imparted to the Vice President.
He left briefly for that purpose, I assume, and returned to the position where we had been standing.

Mr. Adams.

How did it come officially to your notice that the President was dead?
Mr. O'BRIEN. Again, I just don't know- It was a matter of standing for what seemed to be an interminable period of time I have no idea the specific time and, again, I cannot recall a specific instance when an announcement was made. It was more just finally having what gradually became obvious penetrate with you, it was, that it was an actuality.

Mr. Adams.

How was the fact conveyed to Mrs. Kennedy. Do you remember that?
Mr. O'BRIEN. I don't remember a specific conversation by anyone with her. People came to her, hospital staff people, doctors from time to time that would lean down and whisper to her. I don't know whether at one of those occasions this was specifically stated. I think, again, perhaps it was just gradually we all came to a conclusion.

Mr. Adams.

Well, at any rate, after the fact was--had, as you well put it, had penetrated, what happened next, as far as you know?
Mr. O'BRIEN. Our concern, in our discussions--Mr. O'Donnell and I discussed what should be done. Our major concern was that obviously you just could not leave Mrs. Kennedy sitting in this chair, drenched in blood. Something certainly had to take place.

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