Mr. Ball.

Mr. MARTIN. It was just in the front--right on the front just above the cowling on the motorcycle.
Mr. BALL. You say that when you first heard the first shot you thought it was rifle fire?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, sir--the sharp crack of it.

Mr. Ball.

Are you familiar with guns?

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

Did you ever fire a rifle?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

Do you own a rifle?

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

You have been hunting, I suppose?

Mr. Martin.

I just returned.

Mr. Ball.

You've shot high-powered rifles, have you?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, sir.
Mr. BALL. Now, what do you think the speed of the President's car was--give me your best estimate of the speed of the President's car when you heard the first shot?
Mr. MARTIN. I would say it was under 10 miles an hour-between 5 and 10 at that particular time, about the time of the shots.

Mr. Ball.

You were going downhill at that time?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, sir. The best I remember---I wasn't having any trouble keeping my motor up at that time, so that it was probably between 5 and 10 miles an hour. I don't think it was any faster than 10.

Mr. Ball.

Did you at any time come I abreast of the President's car in the motorcade?

Mr. Martin.

No, sir.
Mr. BALL. Were you under certain instructions as to how far behind the ear you were to keep?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

What were those instructions?

Mr. MARTIN. They instructed us that they didn't want anyone riding past the President's car and that we were to ride to the rear, to the rear of his car, about the rear bumper.

Mr. Ball.

I think that's all, Officer.
This will be written up and you can look it over and sign it if you wish, or you can waive your signature and we will send it on to the Commission without it.
It's your option.
What would you like to do?

Mr. Martin.

It doesn't make any difference it's the truth as I saw it that

Mr. Ball.

You Just as soon waive your signature, then?

Mr. Martin.

That would be fine.

Mr. Ball.

All right, we'll waive your signature.

Mr. Martin.

All right.

Mr. Ball.

Thanks very much for coming in.

Mr. Martin.

Okay.

Bobby W. Hargis

Testimony of Bobby W. Hargis

The testimony of Bobby W. Hargis was taken at 3:20 p.m., on April 8, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex. by Mr. Samuel A. Stern, assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. Stern.

Will you stand, please.

Do you solemnly swear that the evidence you are about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. HARGIS. I do.