(Testimony of Arnold Louis Rowland)
Mr. Specter.
The barrel of the rifle?
The Chairman.
Congressman Ford, will you excuse me for just a few minutes to run across the street to my office. You conduct during my absence.
Representative Ford.
Will you proceed, Mr. Specter?
Mr. Specter.
What is your best estimate of the distance between where you were standing and the man holding the rifle whom you have just described?
(The Chief Justice left the hearing room.)
Mr. Rowland.
150 feet approximately, very possibly more. I don't know for sure.
Mr. Specter.
Are you very good at judging distances of that sort?
Mr. Rowland.
Fairly good.
Mr. Specter.
Have you had any experience or practice at judging such distances?
Mr. Rowland.
Yes. Even in using the method in physics or, you know, elementary physics of looking at a position in two different views, you can tell its distance. I did that quite frequently. And the best r can recollect it was within 150 to 175 feet.
Mr. Specter.
Can you describe the rifle with any more particularity than you already have?
Mr. Rowland.
No. In proportion to the scope it appeared to me to be a .30-odd size 6, a deer rifle with a fairly large or powerful scope.
Mr. Specter.
When you say, .30-odd-6, exactly what did you mean by that?
Mr. Rowland.
That is a rifle that is used quite frequently for deer hunting. It is an import.
Mr. Specter.
Do you own any rifles?
Mr. Rowland.
No; my stepfather does.
Mr. Specter.
Have you ever gone hunting deer with such a rifle?
Mr. Rowland.
Yes; I have.
Mr. Specter.
And is that a .30-odd-6 rifle that you have hunted deer with?
Mr. Rowland.
Yes.
Mr. Specter.
Is that a popular size of rifle in the Dallas, Tex., area?
Mr. Rowland.
I don't know about Dallas. I do know in Oregon it is one of the most popular for deer hunting.
Mr. Specter.
Was the rifle which you observed similar to, or perhaps identical with, .30-odd rifles which you have seen before?
Mr. Rowland.
The best I could tell it was of that size.
Mr. Specter.
Have you seen such .30-odd rifles before at close range which had telescopic sights?
Mr. Rowland.
Yes; one my stepfather has has a very powerful scope on it.
Mr. Specter.
And did this rifle appear similar to the one your stepfather owned?
Mr. Rowland.
From my distance, I would say very similar or of similar manufacture.
Mr. Specter.
In what manner was the rifle being held by the man whom you observed?
Mr. Rowland.
The way he was standing it would have been in a position such as port arms in military terms.
Mr. Specter.
When you say port arms you have positioned your left hand with the left elbow of your hand being about level with your shoulder and your right hand.--
Mr. Rowland.
Not quite level with my shoulder, and the right hand being lower on the trigger of the stock.
Mr. Specter.
So the waist of the imaginary rifle you would be holding would cross your body at about a 45-degree angle.
Mr. Rowland.
That is correct.
Mr. Specter.
How long was the rifle held in that position?
Mr. Rowland.
During the entire time that I saw him there.
Mr. Specter.
Did you see him hold it in any other position?
Mr. Rowland.
No, I didn't.
Mr. Specter.
For example, was he standing at any time in a parade-rest position?
Mr. Rowland.
No; not to my knowledge.
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