Mr. Griffin. Did this event which you are now describing, in which you climbed up on the ashtray—did that occur before or after the press conference?
Mr. McCullough. The event that I described, stepping up on the ashtray momentarily, happened several hours prior to the press conference held by District Attorney Wade.
Mr. Griffin. How do you arrive at the conclusion that it was several hours?
Mr. McCullough. Well, there, again, I have to go on recollection. But there was this much time ensued. In other words, after meeting the man that I believed to be Ruby, I stayed for a long period—I would estimate 2 hours, before the press conference was held.
Mr. Griffin. Do you recall if Lee Oswald was brought down into that interrogation room again between the time you saw the man you think is Ruby, and the time that Henry Wade held his press conference in the basement?
Mr. McCullough. He was brought out of the interrogation room. I don’t recall that he was brought back into it before the press conference was held.
Mr. Griffin. Now, were you up on the third floor at the time that—just shortly before the press conference was held?
Mr. McCullough. Yes.
Mr. Griffin. And do you recall, were you there when Henry Wade and, I think, Captain Fritz, and perhaps Chief Curry, walked out of the homicide room, just before everybody went down into the basement? Do you recall that?
Mr. McCullough. Yes; I do. I believe that I was in an opening, or at the main corridor, at the bay near the elevators, when the three officers you mentioned, the three officials you mentioned, walked along and said there would be a press conference.