Mr. O'Donnell. I went into the hospital and went right to Mrs. Kennedy. She was seated right outside the room where they had placed the President. I would say she was in a total daze, and as yet not knowing whether there was any hope or not.
Mr. Specter. What were your activities in the period of time immediately following that moment?
Mr. O'Donnell. Well, I stayed with her for a few minutes, and then no one seemed to be able to get any conclusive answer as to the President's condition. As I said, I had seen the shots so clearly, I had a pretty clear view. The first thing I had done—I asked them to get a priest, which they did immediately. I went into the room. There were four or five doctors there. Dr. Burkley I think was there. And I said, "I think we better get a definite answer one way or another—is there any hope at all?" I was unable to get a conclusive answer. But I think I got the answer I needed.
I don't know how Mrs. Kennedy was finally told. I may have told her about at that moment. Between the time and the time I knew definitely, I went to see the Vice President.
Mr. Specter. Who was with him at that time?
Mr. O'Donnell. Mrs. Johnson was with him and an agent who at the time I did not know. I believe it is Youngblood.
Mr. Specter. Where was Vice President Johnson?
Mr. O'Donnell. He was in a room across the hall. You had to go directly across what would probably be the reception room, which was open to the public, and into another room. And I recollect I turned to my right, and he was over more or less in the corner with a screen. He was standing on the right, Mrs. Johnson, I believe, was sitting, the agent was standing at the door.
Mr. Specter. And what conversations, if any, did you have with then-Vice President Johnson?
Mr. O'Donnell. I told him it looked very, very serious, and in my opinion that it was probably fatal. I hadn't been able to get a totally definite answer, but that I would let him know as soon as it was definite—but it looked pretty black.