JFK conspiracy theorists bring little From England, nationwide "political action organiza- "My basis is this: I trust the experts. Germany, Japan, tion" to spur the appointment of a special They're on my side," Mr. Moore told the Australia and all prosecutor to reopen the investigation_ assembly, which appeared predisposed to over the United Other speakers sought similar new disbelieve him. States they met re- inquiries. The symposium was loaded with pro- cently at Dallas' But does the JFK movie or what was conspiracy information: witnesses testi- Hyatt Regency Ho- revealed at the symposium warrant a re- fying to a gunman firing from near the tel to analyze the opening of the Kennedy assassination? grassy knoll, detailed analysis of the fa- SUTHERLAND most infamous mur- The movie has as its protagonist the ■ ■ mous Zapruder film pointing to a shot am a der this century in discredited Jim Garrison, who failed in from the right front (not from the Texas the United States: the assassination of 1969 to convict alleged assassination con- School Book Depository where Mr. Os- President John F. Kennedy. spirator Clay Shaw. If the November is- wald allegedly fired his rifle), allega- Every November since 1963 has sue of Esquire piece on JFK is accurate, tions by photo analyst Jack White that a brought some kind of remembrance of then Mr. Stones movie will likely earn a backyard photo of Mr. Oswald holding the terrible events at Dealey Plaza on place only as an example of vindictive the assassination rifle was a fake photo, Nov. 22. This November's symposium co- propaganda. strong arguments against the single- incided with the interest being gener- Not so easy to disregard are the argu- bullet theory and allegations that Mr. ated in Oliver Stone's JFK movie. Arti- ments, ideas and suggestions touted at Oswald's killer, Jack Ruby, had ties to cles and opinion pieces critical of the the Kennedy symposium. After all, con- Mafia figures with a motive to kill the movie have already been published in spiracy proponents are quick to point to president. Researcher John Davis Esquire, the Washington Post and Time. public opinion polls showing a large ma- summed up Mr. Oswald's slaying as a Longtime conspiracy theorist Mark jority of the public agreeing that there "classic Mafia rub-out of a crucial Lane made note of the upcoming movie was a conspiracy to kill Mr. Kennedy. witness." in urging symposium participants to "I am delighted to stand with the S3 Researcher Jim Marrs offered the force a reopening of the assassination. percent of Americans who reject the overall conclusion that the Central Intel- "We know there was a conspiracy..., Warren Commission report," observed ligence Agency, members of the U.S. We've known that for a long time. What keynote speaker Cyril H. Wecht. armed forces, FBI Director J. Edgar are we going to do about it? We have an It's understandable that many Ameri- Hoover and Vice President Lyndon opportunity which we have never had cans doubt the Warren Commission's Johnson and elements of organized before. That (Oliver) Stone film, good or conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted crime all are prime suspects in killing bad, it make., no difference, will place on alone in shooting Mr. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy or facilitating a cover-up. the agenda for America a question about Waco author Jim Moore (the only "What individual most profited from the assassination. This whole country panelist at the symposium to argue a sin- the death of President Kennedy? L111." has to see that film," Mr. Lane told the gle gunman theory) offered a less- Mr. Marrs asked. His motive? "Richard symposium as he pushed for a than-convincing argument for his case. Nixon was quoted the morning of the that's new to symposium

assassination in The Dallas Morning that time, I was not sure I needed to say News on the front page as saying, 'LBJ anything." will be dropped from the '64 ticket.' So Jack White presented his case for the Lilt is facing the end of his career,' Mr. faked backyard photo, but the House Se- Marrs continued. lect Committee on Assassinations heard Much of the pro-conspiracy talk cov- many more photographic experts con- ered areas of research that have been tend the photo of Mr. Oswald holding the around for years and even decades. assassination rifle is most likely genuine. Researcher Tom Wilson presented What's more, Marina Oswald took the what was likely the highlight of the sym- photo and has never disputed its authen- posium with respect to new evidence. He ticity. At the symposium, Mr. White gave a video presentation of the results called Marina a liar. of his computer image-processing study Cyril Wecht made a strong case that of the Zapruder film and other photo- the single-bullet theory was grossly false. graphic evidence purporting to show a But eight medical experts — led by the gunman firing from the grassy knoll. chief medical examiner for New York But listening to and viewing all that City — support that theory in evidence was said and shown at the symposium presented to the House assassination was much like hearing only the prosecu- committee. tion or plaintiffs attorney in a trial. And while Tom Wilson garnered a There was much more to the truth than standing ovation for his revelations of what the pro-conspiracy advocates put the computer photographic study, the im- forth at the Hyatt Regency. ages he presented were often blurry and Jean Hill, a darling of conspiracy the- his conclusions very much open to orists, told the symposium of being at doubt. He at least is willing to challenge Dealey Plaza when the shots were fired the government to prove him wrong. and from across the street I saw some- Except perhaps for Mr. Wilson's find- one shooting from the knoll." ings, there was nothing to emerge from But in a WBAP-TV interview just the symposium that impressed this ob- hours after the assassination she denied server as warranting an official reopen- seeing anyone firing. When questioned ing of the investigation of the about the discrepancy, she replied: "It assassination. was a very traumatic time. These things did happen. . I was threatened and Larry Sutherland is an Arlington pushed in front of a TV camera and by writer.