Dr. Perry. That I could not say. I can only determine their pathway, on the basis of these reports within the President's body.
As to their ultimate source not knowing any of the circumstances surrounding it, I would not have any speculation.
Mr. Specter. From what direction would the bullets have come based on all of those factors?
Dr. Perry. The bullets would have come from behind the President based on these factors.
Mr. Specter. And from the level, from below or above the President?
Dr. Perry. Not having examined any of the wounds with the exception of the anterior neck wounds, I could not say. This wound, as I noted was about 5 mm., and roughly circular in shape. There is no way for me to determine.
Mr. Specter. Based upon a point of entrance in the body of the President which I described to you as being 14 cm. from the right acromion process and 14 cm. below the tip of the right mastoid process and coupling that with your observation of the neck wound, would that provide a sufficient basis for you to form an opinion as to the path of the bullet, as to whether it was level, up or down?
Dr. Perry. Yes, it would.
In view of the fact there was an injury to the right lateral portion of the trachea and a wound in the neck if one were to extend a line roughly between these two, it would be going slightly superiorly, that is cephalad toward the head, from anterior to posterior, which would indicate that the missile entered from slightly above and behind.
Mr. Specter. Dr. Perry, have you been a part of or participated in any press conferences?