Mr. McCloy. May I ask at this point, unless I may be interfering with your examination, but was it usual for the representatives of the news media to attend showups in the police headquarters apart from this incident?
Mr. Curry. It was not unusual. This was not setting a precedent.
Mr. McCloy. It was not unusual.
Representative Ford. In such a showup where they are present, are they shielded from the person brought in for identification?
Mr. Curry. Are they shielded from——
Representative Ford. From the person who is brought up for identification?
Mr. Curry. Ordinarily the person who is brought up for identification would be behind the screen, behind this silk screen. This is for the purpose of protecting the person who is going to try to identify him more than trying to protect the person who is being shown up because witnesses ofttimes have a fear of facing someone that they are asked to identify.
For this reason this screen was provided where the prisoner could not see out, but the people can see in. It is much like a one-way glass.
Representative Ford. That was used in this case?
Mr. Curry. No; this was not used. We just brought him in front of it.