J. Thornton Boswell

[John Simkin]

Arlen Specter did not take much time interviewing J. Thornton Boswell on behalf of the Warren Commission (1964)

Mr. Specter: Have you been present here today during the entire course of Doctor Humes testimony?

Commander Boswell: I have, sir; yes.

Mr. Specter: Do you have anything that you would like to add by way of elaboration or modification to that which Doctor Humes has testified?

Commander Boswell: None, I believe. Doctor Humes has stated essentially what is the culmination of our examination and our subsequent conference, and everything is exactly as we had determined our conclusions.

Mr. Specter: And are you one of the three coauthors of the autopsy report which has been previously identified as a Commission Exhibit?

Commander Boswell: Yes; I am.

Mr. Specter: All the facts set forth therein are correct in accordance with your analysis and evaluation of the situation?

Commander Boswell: Yes.

Mr. Specter: And specifically, as to the points of entry and points of exit which have been testified to by Doctor Humes, do his views express yours as well?

Commander Boswell: They do, yes.

Mr. Specter: Doctor Boswell, would you state for the record what your conclusion was as to the cause of death of President Kennedy?

Commander Boswell: The brain injury was the cause of death.

Mr. Specter: And in the absence of brain injury, what, in your view, would have been the future status of President Kennedy's mortality, if he had only sustained the wound inflicted in 385?

Commander Boswell: I believe it would have been essentially an uneventful recovery. It could have been easily repaired, and I think it would have been of little consequence.

Mr. Specter: Those are my only questions, Mr. Chief Justice.

The Chairman: Does anyone have any questions of the Commander? If not, Commander, thank you very much, indeed. You have been very helpful to us.