The Other Side of Six Seconds in

By Milicent Cranor

This is—by definition—a one-sided review pointing them out. Several witnesses to the Z nal which they were allowed to "run through... of Six Seconds in Dallas. film, both Connallys, the Parkland doctors, several times," and (3) slides made from the From a distance, Six Seconds in Dallas seems Secret Servicemen and others had all noted original. (5H138,139) to bulge with good information expressed in these separate reactions. Thompson had seen In a footnote, Thompson quotes from a literate English backed by mathematics made the "inferior" film numerous times at the Ar- memo in which Lyndal Shaneyfelt expressed vivid with pictures and actual words of wit- chives, he explains, and, he, too, was already a desire for a "more clear film print." Thomp- nesses. But these words were made to seem familiar with the separate reactions when he son then goes on to say that Shaneyfelt "never as ephemeral as the smoke on the knoll, dis- sat down to watch the original: managed to acquire his clear print." In fact. sipating in the wind. the FBI analyst obtained something much Josiah Thompson concluded there is no Once again the dark blue Lincoln began its fatal glide. . The President was hit. then the Governor. better: a set of slides made directly from the proof of conspiracy in the assassination of then the President again I knew each movement original. John E Kennedy. He continues to promote this in detail—yet this time ... the picture was infi- Mr. Orth volunteered to prepare 35-mm color slides position despite recent revelations that sug- nitely brighter and clearer than the one I had seen directly from the original.. (5H I 39) gest otherwise. To some, this may suggest only days before in the National Archives in Wash- standards of ratiocination so rigorous that ington. (Six Seconds, p.8) When we obtained the slides from Life Magazine. nothing suffices to definitively contradict the we went through those very thoroughly. because The original no doubt revealed more de- lone assassin theory. Are these standards they gave so much more detail and were so much tail, but the "inferior" copy had already con- manifest in this book? What exactly is in this clearer and analyzed again all these things about tradicted the SBT. Yet, Thompson writes on book? What was omitted, and why? the reaction of the President and Mr. Connally. try- the next page: ing to ascertain where he was reacting.. - (51-i 1421 Covering Op the Cover-up As I inspected the frames. one by one. the full im- Thompson admits the Commission had in- In Six Seconds, Thompson exposes a fatal pact of the Commission's oversight was brought dividual slides to study but, in the main body home to me... I saw for the first time enough evi- flaw in the single bullet theory (SBT). He de- of the text, does not explain that the slides dence to prove that Connally had not been hit un- were made from the original. The impression scribes noticing "for the first time" separate til... (Six Seconds. p 9) reactions to bullets, that one struck Kennedy, left is that they were made from the "infe- and another Connally, on the original Za- The Commission's "oversight" is not ap- rior" copy of the copy. (Six Seconds, p.9) Thus pruder (Z) film at Life Magazine. parent in this passage: each slide would be a copy of a copy of a copy. A disturbing question was raised by the Mr. Dulles. But ... you would think if Connally had Thompson buries in the references a mislead- U.S. government's promotion of the single been hit at the same time (he) would have reacted ing note about the origins of the slides: bullet theory: did the government lie? Thomp- in the same way. and not reacted much later as The testimony of FBI expert Lyndal Shaneyfelt im- these pictures show. son suggests they did not know any better, plies. however. that both sets of transparencies that it was "an "oversight" due to the "infe- Mr. McCloy. That is what puzzles me. were made from the original film If this is indeed rior" copy of the Z film they viewed. the case, then the only explanation for the differ- Mr. Dulles That is what puzzles me. (5H I SS) ence in quality must be that the copying lob done . the Commission had chosen to disregard his by Life for the Commission was a poor one in com- (Connally's) testimony. prompted by their desire Thompson's representation of what was parison with the one done by Life for Life (Six Sec. to believe that there had been only one assassin studied is also misleading: onds, p.17) and aided. unknowingly perhaps, by the inferior While the film we were watching at quality of the film they had used for reference (Six Life was a copy As can be seen from Shaneyfelt's com- made directly from the original_the FBI's working Seconds, p.9) copy was made not from the original but from a ments quoted earlier, he did more than imply It seemed clear, then, that the Commission had copy of it. which made their 'official' version a copy the slides were made from the original; he was either neglected or only hastily examined the pho- of a copy. or a copy once removed. And it was the explicit. tographic record of the assassination. (p 14) Washington copy of the , inferior by I was with a group of teenagers who saw comparison. with which the FBI had undertaken the absurdity of the SBT in the early sixties, Life Magazine had already shown that photoanalysis for the Commission. (Six Seconds. just by looking at Commission Exhibit 885, Kennedy was hit before Connally in their Me- pp-B-9) morial issue, November 29, 1963_ This pre- the small, blurry, black and white Xeroxed stills of the Zapruder film in the Warren Com- SBT issue featured small black and white stills The FBI studied three materials: (1) their mission Hearings. The subtle changes in Con- showing the separate reactions, with captions copy of the Secret Service film, (2) the origi- nally didn't show, of course, but something nem September-October, 1999 else did: Kennedy with his hands about his stalled one. The other two men remained with the Instead, he presents Moorman as a witness -face. while Connally holds onto his'Stetson, pickup truck along with two other officers. Shortly to the actual first shot—a shot she wasn't even :poking just fine. prior to the arrival of the motorcade. the man he aware of, according to her FBI and Warren returned with a Thompson provides an illustration de- had taken to the bank building Commission statements, in his "First Shot, second truck. and all three of the men left with First Hit" section (Six Seconds, p.36) signed to demonstrate the quality of the ma- the two trucks. one pushing the other. terials the Commission had to study (Sir Seconds, Moorman's account as recorded by the FBI: p.8): two tiny black and white versions of Z- Murphy further stated it was probable that one of ... she took a photograph of the procession as it 207, one with a splice (Archives copy) and one these men had taken something from the rear of proceeded toward her... and the photograph without (Life copy). In the caption, he com- this truck in an effort to start it. He stated that showed the police motorcycle escort preceding the ments on "the difference in clarity between these persons were under observation all during President's car In the background of this photo- the film the Commission studied and the one the period they were stalled on Elm Street because graph she said the Texas School Book Depository owned by Life is apparent in a comparison of the officers wanted the truck moved prior to the Building was visible. copies of frame 207." The faces in the frames arrival of the motorcade, and it would have been impossible for any of them to have had anything are less than 2 square millimeters—about the She took a second [author's emphasis] photograph to do with the assassination of President Kennedy. size of a gnat. of the President as his automobile passed her. and Why does Thompson say the above is just as she snapped the picture, she heard what A Man with a Gun Case enough to close this case? Because the truck she at first thought was a firecracker and very shortly thereafter heard another similar Here is an example of the care in which belonged to a company? Because the men had sound...She recalls seeing the President "sort of Thompson evaluates an extraordinary state- jobs and were in the area on business? So was lump- and start to slump sideways in the seat... ment by a witness. He accepted Dallas patrol- Oswald. Or is Thompson satisfied with the (Moorman cook an earlier photograph, yet man Joe Murphy's report to the FBI—even policemen's surveillance of the truck? Thompson refers to the Polaroid as Moorman's though it contained an inherent contradiction. The Clincher "one grainy picture" on page 13.) Did Julia Ann Mercer see a gunman carry a gun Either the truck was under observation all Moorman's testi- case onto the grassy knoll shortly before the as- during the relevant period—or it was not. If it mony: sassination? was, they would have known for sure whether As 1 snapped the picture of President Kennedy. I Answer No. (Six Seconds, p. 21 8) one of the men "had taken something from heard a shot ring out. President Kennedy kind of the rear of this truck in an effort to start it." slumped over. Then I heard another shot ring out On the morning of the assassination, Julia But in a bit of overkill, Murphy said "it was and Mrs. Kennedy jumped up in the car and said. Ann Mercer saw a green pickup truck stalled probable that one of these men had taken "My god, he has been shot." When I heard these on Elm Street not far from the overpass with something from the rear of the truck." If it shots ring out. I fell to the ground... I heard three the hood raised, obstructing traffic. While was only "probable," then they were not sure. or four shots in all. (I 9H487) waiting to pass, she said a man at the back of If they were not sure, then they could not have the truck "reached over the tailgate and took As I have previously documented in Probe, been watching the whole time. out from the truck what appeared to be a gun several witnesses heard shots after the "last" case... then proceeded to walk away from the Number of Shots one. In some cases, this is clear from their truck and, as he did, the small end of the case words alone, but sometimes this is revealed caught in the grass or sidewalk and he reached On page 25 of Six Seconds, Thompson pre- only when one compares their words with down to free it. He then proceeded to walk sents four charts. They demonstrate 1) the photographic evidence. across the grass and up the grassy hill which number of shots reported, 2) the spacing of the Charles Brehm said he saw the head forms parr of the overpass." shots, 3) the time span, and 4) the direction of wounded on the "second" shot, and then he Mercer did not go to the press seeking at- the sound. But Thompson omitted a chart on heard a third. (22H837) But when did he hear tention with this story: she merely joked with one of the most fascinating facts of all—when one for the first time? He can be seen still clap- some policeman she saw later that "The Se- the shots were heard in relation to when a re- ping as the limousine with two wounded men cret Service is not very secret." action is seen on film. Or, more important, when passes him at Z-296, so it is unclear when he Thompson dismisses this story entirely, shots were not heard. Had Thompson done so, heard a shot for the first time. based on the statements of two patrolmen, he would have revealed an incredible pattern. Chief Curry said he heard a shot after Mo- E.V Brown, and Joe Murphy. Brown told the If a witness reported three shots, it is natu- torcycle Officer Chaney rode up ro tell him what FBI he "did not see anyone remove anything ral to assume those three shots go with the was happening. (4H161) The Nix film shows from this truck." This is meaningless unless three observable reactions on the Zapruder that Chaney was still behind the limousine Brown watched the truck constantly, which is film. In too many instances, this is not so. seven frames after the headshot. unlikely. Consider the case of . She Sheriff Decker first heard a shot at the time It is Murphy's observations that Thomp- only heard three or four shots. But she did he saw a "spray of water" coming from where son said, "effectively puts to rest any linger- not hear (or register mentally) the first two. Kennedy was sitting. Then he heard one more. ing doubts about the pickup truck seen by Julia The first time she heard a shot was when she (9H458) Surely this is the same spray of bloody Ann Mercer." (Six Seconds, p.219) Excerpts: snapped her Polaroid photo of Kennedy being water from Kennedy's head that struck the mo- shot in the head, then she heard more. If we torcycle officers. Patrolman James Foster said He was unable to recall the name of the corn , combine (1) the impacts of two earlier shots the head was wounded on "second" shot; then Pant' to whom this truck belonged but stated it is on the Zap ruder film with (2) what Moorman he heard a third. (CD897) the property of the company working on the First claims she heard we would have five or six National Bank Building.. Clint Hill saw JFK's head wounded and shots in all. Thompson does not explore this heard a shot while briefly "mounted" on the There were three construction men In this truck, intriguing possibility, nor does he even expose limousine the first time, just before he fell off and he took one to the bank building to obtain the anomaly. continued on page 8 another truck in order to assist in moving the September-October, 1999 PROM ment in the country. He saw the original Z say the car was when they heard the shot. On Six Seconds film several times. He made an intense study the map provided by Thompson on page 32, the locations of these witnesses are shown in continued from page 7 of individual stills from the film. He saw the minute forward movement of Kennedy's head relation to Z-film frames. Mrs. Billie Clay is (this is seen on the Nix film; yet the Z film between Z-312 and 313. He saw a lock of at Z-205. She said the shot came a "few sec- only shows the second time he mounts limou- Connally's hair become displaced and the onds" after the car passed her. But even two sine). (2H144) The Nix film shows that JFK's Governor's cheeks puff. Yet he does not com- seconds afterward is obviously too late (18 x head was already wounded 1.5 seconds before ment on Kennedy's movements signaling 2 + 205). Hill reaches the limousine. Hill said, in effect, trouble before any part of him is obscured by Arthur Chism, located adjacent to the car's that he saw a second head shot. He was appar- the Stemmons sign. As Kennedy goes behind placement at 1-255 on Thompson's "First ently unaware of an earlier one. the sign, both hands are near his face, as if he Shot' map, does not confirm a shot in the Z- , Moorman's companion, also were having a coughing fit. The film blurs. 210-224 interval. Chism said that when the seemed unaware of the earlier shots. She testi- No matter what the ambiguities, something car was just about in front of him, Kennedy fied that she wrapped up her friend's first is obviously wrong. Yet, Thompson wrote: turned to them and waved. Afterward, he Polaroid photo and put it in her pocket before heard a shot, and Mrs. Kennedy then stood she heard any shots. (6H206) At the time she This natural waving movement continues as the up, then lay down over him. He heard only President disappears from view behind the is still in view, about four seconds after the sec- one more shot.. ond shot, the photo is still in her hand. Stemmons Freeway sign at Z207. (Six Seconds, p.31) One interpretation of his statement: Emmett Hudson saw Kennedy's head Kennedy, already hit, approached and passed wounded on the "second" shot; then heard a There is no evidence that a shot was fired prior to Chism with his hands near his face, a reac- third while on the ground when the limousine Z2 10. (Six Seconds. p.31) tion to the first bullet(s). Chism mistook these was in front of the stairs (a little over 1.5 sec- According to the FBI, the view of Kennedy gestures for waving. onds after head shot). (7H560-1) Royce Skelton from the sixth floor sniper's nest is obscured The witnesses do back up Thompson's heard a shot after seeing Kennedy react to the by trees—until Z-210. Thompson illustrates point that a shot that missed was not fired head shot. (19H496) Mrs. Philip Willis said the this with re-enactment photos from the sixth earlier, around Z-166, which is before the tree head was wounded on the "second" shot; after floor, and makes the perplexing claim that branches obscure the view. But why force the which she heard a third shot, (CD 1245) "many, many witnesses placed the first shot Zapruder film and the testimony to fit the re- In another group of witnesses, it is only in the interval Z.210-224." He also wrote: quirements of a sniper on the sixth floor? More clear that they did not hear the first shots. importantly, why not illuminate Kennedy's be- ... we can triangulate the position of the cat at Officer B.J. Martin, for example, said Clint Hill havior before Z-210? got off the backup car after the first shot. Yet. the time of the first shot. Its position falls in the the Muchmore film and the Altgens photo range of Zapruder frames 210-224. . It should be pointed out that the position.., established by tri- Bullets That Missed show that Hill is still on the back-up car well angulating these witness reports compares favor- In the chapter on the second shot, Thomp- after two shots have been fired. Altgens him- ably with the position given in early government son said that of the "several hundred wit- self said he heard a shot when he snapped his reports (Six Seconds. p.33) photo, which is considered the equivalent of nesses," none believed the second shot p.61) In fact, few com- Z-255. Still other witnesses associate the first First of all, considering the number of wit- missed. (Six Seconds. mented specifically on what the second shot or second shot with the moment witnesses nesses who did not even register the actual hit, and few seemed to be aware that Con- hit the ground. But films make it clear that first shot, one must be very careful when us- people do not hit the ground until after Z- ing testimony about a "first" shot. nally had been wounded at all, let alone when. As explained above, many did not even hear a 313. So, quite a number of people apparently Second, the majority of statements quoted second shot at the time most of us, including did not register the first or second shot. by Thompson are too vague to Lie the shot to Thompson, believe it was fired. This is dem- What about the people who say the head this short interval—as opposed to an earlier exploded on the "third" shot? It may be that, one, or a later one. Samples: onstrated by Thompson's own statistics show- ing that 40 of 65 who reported on the spacing unknown to these witnesses, Kennedy was hit She Nirgie Baker] also remarked that when this said the last two shots were very dose to- in the head earlier and what they were wit- first shot was fired the car had gone down Elm nessing was yet another head shot, a more Street partially out of sight and was -near the gether. Yet, on the Z film, it is the first two obvious one. signs" (71-1509). This plates it in the range of Z2 I 0- reactions that are close together. Secret Service Agent James Hickey said 224. In a footnote on the same page in which Thompson asserts that no witness believed the something that puts all of the above in per- Mrs. Baker said "near the signs," plural. second shot missed, he dismisses the curious spective. He said that the last two shots were There were three signs on Elm. If the limou- observations of Royce Skelton. ft is often im- fired almost simultaneously and, with one sine was between the first and second signs. possible to bring up the name of this witness shot, "the hair on the right side of his head this could be several feet (and frames) before without hearing that he has been "thoroughly flew forward and there didn't seem to be any 72I0, and still qualify for the description "near discredited by Thompson." and therefore one impact against his head. The last shot seemed the signs." should ignore what Skelton said. Let's not ig- to hit his head.-_" (18H762) is also quoted as if his re- nore what Skelton said. Thompson apparently explored none of marks confirm a shot during this interval, but the above. Kellerman said the shot came after they passed Royce G. Skelton the first sign, which would be before Z-210. Confirming FBI Location of The Stemmons sign is the second one. This statement needs qualification only by call• the First Shot Several other witnesses are used to cor- mg attention to the affidavit of Royce G. Skelton. roborate this interval because of where they Standing on the overpass. he -heard something Thompson had access to the best equip- which I thought was fireworks." and then 'saw p:103E September-October, 1999 Page 9

something hit the pavement at the left rear of the about that. Tell me. now, about the smoke—did One shot apparently hit the street past the car I car" (19H496). From Skelton's remarks it is un- you see some smoke? saw something which I thought was smoke or clear whether this "something" hit the pavement steam coming from a group of trees north of Elm After those two shots, and the car came on down alter the first or the second shot. Furthermore. it off the railroad tracks. (19H485) closer to the triple underpass, well, there was an- should be pointed out that no one else on the over- other shot—two mare shots I heard. but one of pass saw what Skelton claimed to have seen. and When Miller testified before the Warren them—I saw a bullet, or I guess it was a bullet—I the Warren Report disclosed that examination of Commission, he said nothing about the bul- take for granted it was—hit in the left front of the the area showed no indication of a bullet strike let hitting the street, or the smoke coming President's car on the cement. and when it did. t 16). (Six Seconds. p.61) from the trees near the railroad tracks. He tes- the smoke carried with it—away from the build- tified to hearing three shots, seeing JFK "fail No one else on the overpass saw what ing. forward" and he described the reaction oldie Skelton claimed to have seen? Why the quali- Mau mean there was some smoke in the building? crowd, etc. At the end of the interview was fication? If anyone anywhere saw it, that would this exchange between Miller and David Be- be important. Officer Stavis Ellis and Sheriff No: on the pavement—you know, pavement when tio: Decker, for instance reported seeing what it is hit with a hard object it will scatter—it will spread. looked like a bullet hitting the pavement. Well, you and I never met until just a few minutes (Vince Palamara has quite a database with Which way did it spread? ago, did we?

these stories, and I thank him for these two.) It spread just right in line. like you said. No. sir. But, in fact, someone else—on the overpass— did see what Skelton saw, or part of it. Austin I haven't said anything—tell me what you think it And as soon as you carne in here, we started im- Miller. (See below.) As for what the Warren was? mediately taking your testimony under oath is that correct? Report "disclosed," whywould anyone assume Like ] said—south of us—it would be southwest, it is accurate in view of the numerous ex- you know, in a direct line from the Texas Deposi- Yes. tory. (6H238) amples of deception on the part of the Com- We never talked about the facts before then. did mission? Here is Skelton's statement, and it we? is clear that Thompson has left out a great Skelton's Earlier Statement deal: No. sir. (61-1226} • Heard what he thought was "fireworks." was standing with Austin Miller. .1 heard Virgie Rackley Baker something which I thought was fireworks. I saw • Saw bullet hit pavement at left rear of the something hit the pavement at the left rear of the car; car moves into right lane. In view of the apparent evidence of wit- car. then the car got in the right hand lane and I • Heard two more shots. ness coaching in the cases of Skelton and heard two more shots... I heard a woman say "Oh Miller, it is not surprising to find discrepan- • Heard Mrs. K say "Oh, no!" and saw her no" or something and grab a man inside the car. I cies in the statements of another witness to a grab JFK. then heard another shot and saw the bullet hit pavement strike. Mrs. Virgie Baker. the pavement. The concrete was knocked to the • Heard another shot. south away from the car. It hit the pavement in Mrs. Donald Sam Baker (nee Virgie Rackley)...told the left or middle lane...(191-1496) • Saw bullet hit pavement and knock con- a Commission lawyer that she heard a "firecracker" crete south, away from car in left or middle noise and saw something hit the pavement be- Skelton's testimony before the Warren lane. hind the Presidential auto...(when it was) partially Commission is considerably different: out of sight... Mrs. Baker's deposition before Just about the same time theca; straightened up— Skelton's Warren Commission Counsel Liebeler did not agree with what she had got around the corner—I heard two shots, but I Testimony told the FBI earlier. A Match 19 statement she gave the FBI contains no mention of something hitting didn't know at that time they were shots . • Heard two shots. the pavement... while an earlier interrogation re- port notes that she saw something hit the pave- I thought that they were these dumbballs that • Thought "durnbballs" hit the cement. ment in front of the presidential car .,. (Six Seconds. they throw at the cement because I could see the • Heard two more shots. p.51) smoke coming up off the cement . • Saw bullet hit in the left front of the lim- Possibly Mrs. Baker, like Royce Skelton, This is followed by a discussion about ousine, instead of the back. saw two confusing instances of a bullet hit- where the shots seemed to come from, and ting the pavement. Possibly she saw only one how many he heard (he said he thought there • Saw concrete knocked to the west instead that hit in front of the car, but since the car were four). Then he is asked if he saw any of to the south. quickly passed, it was soon behind the car. pigeons taking off. Soon after, Ball tries to wrap Skelton seems to have been coached on Possibly she was just confused about when up the report. This is when Skelton, in trying what to say—but not on what not to say! ("Ic she saw it. Does it matter when? The fact that to be very helpful to the Commission. reveals spread just right in line, like you said.") He she and the others say they saw it at all is what that he has been coached, only not too well: reduced the number of shots from five to four, counts. Thompson implies that (1) because it and changed the location of the bullet strike. There's one thing I could say—you have that other is claimed the pavement showed nothing hit Previously, he said a bullet struck behind the report? it, and (2) because of the inconsistencies in limousine and knocked cement to the south; reporting, it therefore didn't happen at all. Is What is that? this suggests the sniper was to the right front this logical? The following statement from the of the limousine. His revision suggests the About when I saw one of the bullets where it hit Harvard Law Review on typical inconsisten- on the pavement and it hit. the smoke did come sniper was to the right rear of the limousine. cies is common sense, well expressed: from the general vicinity of where you say Oswald was. Austin Miller Frequently a witness prepares a statement about an event shortly after its occurrence. Later. in court. Wait a minute—let me ask you some questions From Miller's original statement: continued on page 10 September-October, 1999 mow Page 10

very poor at identifying faces, even at close Brennan's: Six Seconds range. I believe Josiah Thompson knows this That was probably 2 I/1 minutes alter the last continued from page 9 now, and knew this in 1967. The book Eyewit- shot...I broke and ran to the Irons and got the name ness Testimony by Elizabeth Loftus, whom he his testimony may be substantially more complete of it [the building]. I ran back and told him the often quotes, describes several studies prov- than the early statement or may even be inconsis- name of it. and about that time a construction tent with it. Both these variances generally occa- ing just how bad witnesses are when it comes worker ran from the southwest corner of the inter• section up to me and said. 1 was standing over sion an attempt by opposing counsel to cast to faces. there and saw the man in the window with the aspersions on the witness' recollection and hon- Howard Brennan was already a very prob- esty. However, our data indicated that the very act lematic witness for reasons already well rifle. He and I and the sergeant all three broke and of interrogation tended to produce much greater known. Brennan was an eye witness and, thus, ran for the door. I kepi the man there with me The sergeant ran to the back... I kept the man there completeness of recall Furthermore, we found that by definition, bad at distinguishing faces. the more accurate witnesses were often those who. until they took him across the street to the court- Despite the above, Thompson has never house..." (7H543) after interrogation. said they wanted to change the attacked his credibility the way he did so many testimony they had given m their free reports. other witnesses. Compare this CO Brennan's testimony, com- Their interrogation apparently caused them to re- pacted: consider their earlier statements. This latter find- Howard Brennan is surrounded by mys- ing is in accord with the belief of one well-known tery: And these was one officer standing at the corner psychiatrist that complete consistency in testi• Why did the FBI cut out footage from a of the Texas Book Store on the street It didn't seem mony is likely to be a sign of perjury U. Marshall. newsreel that would have revealed the iden- to me he was going in any direction. He was stand. K.H. Marquis. S. Qskamp. "Effects of Kind of Ques- tity of the mysterious "Secret Service man" in ing still. . tion and Atmosphere of Interrogation on Accu- a car to whom Howard Brennan had given his I asked him to get me someone in charge. a Secret racy and Completeness of Testimony.' Harvard tow description of a sniper? Review. 1971: V01.84:1620- 1 643, p 1631] Service man or an FE That it appeared to me that Who was the man in a car who took down they were searching Jr' the wrong direction He A digression into the present. Recently, Howard Brennan's description of the sniper, said. 'just a minute" And he had to give some Thompson seemed to dismiss this article as and why didn't he broadcast Brennan's explicit orders or something on the east side of the build- irrelevant to our studies when he said: description of the sniper's clothing? ing on Houston Street, And then he had taken me Who was the man that described the sniper to, I believe. Mt Sorrels, an automobile sitting in The focus of the study is not -salience" or -accu- to Inspector J. Herbert Sawyer? The witness front of the Texas Book Store.., I related my infor• racy- or "completeness" but, rather, methods of nation and there was a few minutes of discus- interrogation. (Thompson. JFK DPQ, VolA. #III, was not likely Brennan. Sawyer could not de- sion. and Mr. Sorrels had taken me then across the $3.13) scribe the witness at all except to say he was a street to the sheriff's building. (3H l45) white man, neither young nor old, neither tall Contrary to Thompson's assertion, the fo- nor short. He said nothing about a hard-hat. According to Forrest Sorrels of the Secret cus of the study concerned what methods of When asked if he ever saw the witness again, Service, between 20-25 minutes after the shots interrogation achieved accuracy and complete- he said he had not. Never saw the star witness were fired, he entered the back door of the ness, as is demonstrated by the authors' first again? Another reason the witness was prob- Depository building, made inquiries, went out sentence: ably not Brennan: when the inspector was asked the front door, and asked if anyone had seen How effective are current methods of direct and if there was 'Any clothing description," Saw- anything significant. Brennan was pointed out cross-examination of witnesses in achieving an ac- yer replied "Current witness can't remember to him. Sorrels questioned him, and then an- curate and complete account of events? (Emphasis that." (Time: 12:43 p.m., Sawyer Exhibit A; other witness, Amos Euins. Afterward, he took mine.) (Marshall. p.1 620) 6H31) them both to the Sheriff's office. Back to Mrs. Baker who omitted the inci- From the mystery witness: slender white It was a good 25 minutes, then, before Sor- dent from one of her statements—there are male; about 35; 5 feet 10 inches; 165 pounds; rels approached Brennan. In the meantime. numerous instances in which a witness re- carrying "what looked to be a 30-30 or some what was he doing? The second time he dis- ported information that was inconvenient to type of Winchester." Could not remember any cusses the incident, he describes being the lone assassin theory and, somehow, these clothes. (Sawyer Exhibit A) brought to "Secret Service men." (3H158) statements changed. James Worrell, for in- From Brennan: slender white male; early How long did it take you... from the time of the stance, told the Commission that, contrary to 30's; 5 feet 10 inches; 160-170. "Light colored last shot... before you got to the steps of the Texas the FBI's statement, he never said he saw the clothes, more of a khaki color (3H145) " [pants] Book Depository? similar to the same color of the shirt or a little profile of the sniper or that he resembled I could not calculate that. because before I got to Oswald. He flatly denied seeing any part of lighter" (31-1161); "may have been wearing a the steps.. I had already talked to this officer. and the sniper's face. Just about every witness who light-weight jacket or sweater..." (FBI report he had taken me to the Secret Service men I had saw anything significant found himself being of 11/22/63) talked to them. Sawyer said the witness who spoke with him either "edited" or "persuaded" to change his And you stayed behind the retaining wail for a little was escorted to the Sheriff's office where he story. Two of three witnesses who said the man while until you saw the coast was clear? in the sniper's nest was blonde found them- presumably gave a statement. This man's de- selves saying later that the man was brown scription of the sniper is nearly identical to lust seconds O13155) haired (Fischer and Edwards). Brennan's (except for the clothes), but I could He was asked how long it took for the of- The Hearings have many such examples, find a record of only one such description: ficer to take him to the man or men, and he but Thompson did not report this suspicious Brennan's. said "That was quick too." (3H158) And he pattern. Who was the police officer Brennan ran to? spoke to -the "Secret Service men" for only The Warren Report identifies him as "probably" about "3 to 5 minutes. (3H158) If this man Identity Crises William Eugene Barnett. But Barnett's descrip- (or men) said he was "Secret Service," he Studies on eye witnesses show they are tion of what happened doesn't quite match (they) may have been the Military intelligence mom September-October, 1999 officers posing as Secret Service officers. That bullet entered JFK's back, then fell out, as re- it was. may be why his image was cut out of a news- ported by the FBI. The second bullet hit Con- All of them agreed on the nature of the damage to eeel. Whatever the reason, this is a very nally. The third bullet struck the head from the Presidents neck None of them believed it to Strange story: behind—went to the left—then fragmented be an exit wound from a whole bullet (Emphasis in the middle of the brain. One bullet or bone mine.) (Six Seconds. p 53) believe you said that the car that you talked to fragment went out the throat, more bullet the Secret Service agent in was at point -G" ap- As if they considered the wound to be an proximately? fragments struck the windshield, and another hit the curb near . Such a theory exit—but from a fragment as opposed to a sight. solves the problem of too many wounds in too whole bullet. Now, are these accurate or approximate locations. little time with too few bullets. And it solves Without exception. their testimony described a ver- Mr. Brennan? another problem. tical channel of contusion (bruise). laceration. and Many critics assumed then (and now) that hematoma.., stretching above and below the tiny Well. don't you have photographs of me talking to exit hole. (Six Seconds. 03) the Secret Service men right here? a bullet from Kennedy's right rear could not both enter and exit the right side of the head. Their testimony did not describe a "tiny I don't believe so Although I believe the known head damage exit hole." Only when pressed did they say it You should have. It was on television before I got suggests a scenario other than the official one, could have been either an entrance or an exit, home—my wife saw it I am also sure the trajectory itself is possible, but they leaned coward an entrance wound. since Kennedy was turned sufficiently to his n television To further banish the notion the wound was left, as revealed by the extent to which the an entrance Thompson quotes one doctor Yes back of the head can be seen in Z-312. (In a (Jones) accurately, but out of context, with a At this timewe do not have them. Do you remem- 50-50 profile, one does not see this much tem- misleading result: ber what station they were on television? poral and occipital bone.) In addition, the street moves diagonally away from the build- all seemed to agree on the size of the hole, It No. But they had it. And I called I believe Mr. Lish ing so that it more behind, rather than to the was small—so small. in fact, that one doctor be- fFBI) who requested that he cut those films or get lieved It was too small to be even the entry hole of right, of anyone on the street that far west. them cut of the FBI. I believe you might know about a high velocity bullet (6H56). (Six Seconds, p.51) them. Somebody cut those films. because a num- This, combined with Kennedy's being so oer of times later the same films were shown, and turned to his left, brings the right front of the Jones' emphasis was not on "entry" but, that part was cut (3H 1 50) head into the path of the hypothetical south- rather, on "high velocity" Jones said that if west bound bullet. In reference to his theory one bullet had entered the throat and exited Brennan saw Oswald twice on television of a bullet from behind going into the left the head, it had to have been a high velocity before he identified him in the line-up. brain, Thompson wrote: bullet to do that kind of damage. Thompson Brennan said Oswald look "much omits Jones' testimony that he did think it was younger... a few years younger—say 5 years Such a pattern of damage would match perfectly an entrance. He also neglects to mention younger." our expectations for a shot Fired from the sixth- Jones' speculation that it could have been an Three witnesses initially identified the po- floor Depository window entering the President's acciput at Z313. (Six Seconds, p.110- I 11) exit from a low velocity bullet. (6H55) Obvi- tential sniper as blonde. ously. if it wasn't too small for art exit. it could A mysterious witness provided a descrip- The only thing the theory has going for it not have been too small for an entrance. tion generally matching Oswald, then disap- is a mysterious notation on the autopsy sheet, peared. art arrow in the alleged entrance wound in the Misrepresents Autopsy on Internal A mysterious "Secret Service man" sitting back of the head, going to the left. Otherwise, Damage in a car apparently took Brennan's description few, if any, of the reported facts support but did not broadcast it. Or, if he did, he Thompson's alternate SBT. None of the testimony from Parkland was avail- omitted an essential part—the clothing. able to the autopsy surgeons when they decided A newsreel that could probably have re- Throat Wound that the throat wound had been caused by the exit of a whole bullet traveling horizontally. One vealed the man's identity or license plates was If the throat wound can thus be attributed cut by the FBI. can search the official autopsy report in vain for to the "head shot," then it is quite easy to see any mention of what Dr. James Carrico had de- The officer identified in the Warren Report that the first bullet is not required to do all scribed in Dallas as "some contusions and he- as the one who brought Brennan to the man the Commission said it did... once the facts matoma to the right of the larynx with a minimal in the car, W.E. Barnett, was not asked to iden- about the throat wound are known. the ne- deviation of the larynx to the left- (3H360). Pi read- tify the "construction worker" who ran up to cessity for the transiting [first] bullet disap- ing of the official report makes it quite apparent that almost all the information concerning the him. He was not asked if he brought Brennan pears. (Six Seconds, p.55) throat imury was gleaned from the phone convex to a man in a car. The "facts" according to Josiah Thompson I can find no record of an attempt to con- sation with Dr. Perry. .Thus the neck area was follow. never fully dissected and the fact that it might have firm Brennan's story about a Mr. Lish cutting been a bone or bullet fragment wound went un- or obtaining a newsreel showing Brennan talk- Omits Parkland Impression of an considered...• (Six Seconds. p.54) ing to the mystery man. Entrance I can find no comment by Josiah Thomp- The contusions (expressed as "consider- Imagine a chapter on the throat wound son on any of the above. able ecchymoses") to the right of the larynx without one word about what the Parkland were in the strap muscles (within millimeters Thompson's Single Bullet doctors thought it was: an entrance. Instead, of the larynx), and they are mentioned twice Thompson creates the impression that Park- Theory in the autopsy repon: on pages 4 and 6. In land considered it an exit wound, and the only addition, the contusions are mentioned in Dr. Thompson's proposed scenario: the first equivocation was over what sort of exit wound continued on page 12 September-October, 1999 Non before a tracheotomy incision erased its outline quote Thompson selected from this half-page Six Seconds While some described it periphery as smooth and article. Why leave it out? Thompson has pre- regular (6H3. 9, 54, 3H3T2) and others remem- • continued from page 11 sented his theory as just a different, perhaps bered it as jagged (6H32. 48. 65. 141 ). (Six Sec, superior, interpretation of the same incom- Humes' testimony, along with their signifi- ends. p.51) plete information. A different interpretation cance: Thompson's list of those who said the does not necessarily reflect on the honesty of edges were "smooth and regular" omits Dr. those involved in the autopsy or its reporting. So we feel that, had this missile not made its path in that fashion, the wound made by Doctor Perry Charles Baxter. (6H42) Charles Carrico put it But the claim that a whole bullet was recov- in the neck would not have been able to produce more strongly: The hole was "rather round and ered during the autopsy...? these contusions of the musculature of the neck there were no jagged edges or stellate lacera- (2h13611) tions." (61-13) As for his list of those who said Head Wound otherwise, they used qualifying words like Thompson's report of the head wound: A Misrepresents Parkland on Internal "somewhat," "slightly," "a little bit." bullet from the sixth floor of the Depository Damage Thompson's "jagged" list is inflated. building enters the back of the head where Charles McClelland does not belong on this To support his theory of a fragment exit- Humes et. at, said there was an entrance—and list because he did not see the wound before ing the throat, Thompson characterized the goes to the left. The bullet is almost halfway it was incised. (6H21) He only repeated what internal damage as "a vertical channel of con- through the head (apparently on the left side) Malcolm Perry told him, that the wound was tusion (bruise), laceration, and hematoma" when, mysteriously, it fragments. "clear-cut (with) somewhat irregular mar- stretching at least "4 to 6 inches up and down It hasn't struck bone, it is in the middle gins." Perry told the Commission the wound the President's neck." (Six Seconds, p.54) But of soft brain and, yet, according to Thomp- was "exuding blood slowly which partially he neck itself is a vertical channel. Wane small son, it now fragments. One fragment of bul- obscured it. Its edges were neither ragged nor wound bleeds considerably. where would the let or bone—Thompson favors bone—is were they punched out, but rather clean." blood go? It would go everywhere it could, "driven downward." creating the little lacera- (31-1372) Marion Jenkins (6H48) only had a into all the spaces open to it In the neck, these tions reportedly found in the midbrain and "quick look." (Years later, the ever-accommo- spaces are necessarily vertical. And if the blood cerebral peduncle. Then it goes out the throat. datingJenkins also said that he had felt a hole collects into one place and forms a large he- Thompson doesn't say where this bone comes in the back of the neck, something he did not matoma (blood clot), this does not mean the from. A piece from the back of the head that report at the time.) Gene Akin (6H65), con- wound itself was that large. The same Park- rode in front of the bullet? If so, what made trary to what Thompson reports, did not see land doctors he references said the tissues that it suddenly change course? If it was a bullet the wound before it was incised; what he saw were actually damaged (as opposed to being fragment that went out the throat, the same was "slightly ragged." Nurse Henchcliffe covered with blood from somewhere else) question arises: what made it change course (6H141) described the wound as only "jagged were lateral to the tear in the right side of the if it didn't hit anything inside other than a little bit, " and Thompson omits what she trachea. And Parkland certainly did not say a brain? said next: "An entrance hole—it looked to me laceration extended 4 to 6 inches. Thompson A medium velocity rifle bullet would have like." reinforces this false picture: continued—leaving behind a permanent path Contrary to the impression Thompson in the left brain like the one described in the Yet the one developed above [Thompson's hypoth- leaves, entrance wounds are not perfectly right brain. And cavitation would have taken esis] deals more adequately with all the facts now round and smooth. Many have irregular place; the brain would have exploded radi- known to surround the President's throat wound edges—not to be confused with radiating lac- ally (at right angles) to the path. The left brain its small size. the 4- to 6-inch vertical injury im- erations, a certain indication of an exit. Charles mediately behind (Six Seconds. p.56) was much too undamaged for this to have hap- Carrico said there were no "stellate (radiat- pened. What "4- to 6-inch vertical injury?" One ing) lacerations." (6E13) Also inconsistent Thompson continues: "Other fragments Parkland doctor made an intriguing comment with an exiting fragment scenario is the could have continued parallel to the windpipe, (omitted by Thompson) that may suggest a wound's abrasion collar, obliquely referred to bruising the strap muscles... contusing the su- connection between the throat and head as "the damaged skin around the area." perior mediastinum and the apex of the right wounds, but not in the way Thompson de- (6H42) pleura." So fragments could have rained down scribed it. In his hospital notes, Dr. William Quotes Selectively from JAMA from the head. How are any of these fragments Kemp Clark said in passing that there was supposed to have gotten from the brain into blood from the oral pharynx. Apparently no In an effort to promote this theory further, the neck without creating a hole in the base one ever asked Clark to explain it. Thompson quotes the January 4, 1964 issue of the skull? Or, if they are supposed to have of the Journal of the AMA, which reported that Exaggerates Jaggedness of Wound come down through the foramen magnum "a small fragment of this bullet the head shot] (the opening that permits spine and brain to The Parkland physicians thought the angled down and passed out through connect), where is the damage CO the spine? wound was an entrance because of its size and Kennedy's throat." (Six Seconds, p.53) Thomp- Thompson appears to accept the autopsy shape—round and punc tate. A round, "punc- son should report what else JAMA said at that findings and x-rays. He has not declared them tate" wound is not consistent with time: to be fraudulent. Yet, he presents his scenario Thompson's magic fragment scenario—but a The First bullet reportedly hit Kenneay in the as if it were an alternate interpretation of the very jagged wound is. Thompson gave a false up- per part of the right back shoulder. The bullet did same objective findings. Thompson made a re- picture of how many people said the wound not go through his body and was recovered during interpretation seem reasonable by implying was jagged, and just how jagged it was. the autopsy. there were more blanks than actually existed. Various descriptions of the small hole... were given The bullet was recovered during the au- He goes so far as to imply there were as many at Parkland Hospital by the doctors who saw it topsy? The above lies within 1.5 inches of the mysteries about the brain and skull as there p:103 September-October, 1999 Page 13

were about the undissected neck: [RI photograph is viewed merely as a graphic por- But the Zapruder film shows what Thomp- trayal of oral testimony, and becomes admissible son describes—not what the witnesses de- True. a well-defined path downward through the only when a witness has testified that It is a cor- scribe, and especially not Mrs. Newman, brain has not been found. but neither, it should be rect and accurate representation of relevant facts whom he quotes selectively. What pointed out. was the Commission able to find a personally observed by the witness... (p 671) Thompson back-to-front path through President Kennedy's omitted: neck. Both are inferred paths. (Six Seconds. p.55- Motion pictures. when they were first sought to Just about the time President Kennedy was right 56) be introduced in evidence. were frequently objected in front of us. I heard another shot ring out and The autopsists were "unable" CO find any to and sometimes excluded on the theory that they the President put his hands up to his head. I saw path through the neck because the neck was afforded manifold opportunities for fabrication and blood all over the side of his head.. (I 9H488) undissected, but they did take a look at the distortion..." (p.673) Why omit this quote? It is corroborated brain. What they found does not support pis with the still photograph, the by William Manchester's report of what is— Thompson's theory: reliability and accuracy of the motion picture... may be estab- or was—on the film. When viewed from the vertex the left cerebra hemi- lished by testimony that the motion picture accu- sphere is intact. There is marked engorgement of rately reproduces phenomena actually perceived by Example 3, not on film: meningeal blood vessels of the left temporal and the witness. Under this theory though the requi- The few pages of Manchester's book dealing with frontal regions with considerable associated sub- site foundation may, and usually will, be laid by the actual assassination are crowded with errors... arachnoid hemorrhage_ The gyre and sulci over the the photographer. it may also be provided by any left hemisphere are of essentially normal size and witness who perceived the events filmed. Of course. but one error is substantial and especially diffi- cult to understand in light of Manchester's claim distribution Those on the right are too fragmented if the foundation testimony reveals the film to be in Look (Apr.4. 1967) that and distorted For satisfactory description. distorted in some material particular, exclusion is he had watched the the proper result. (p.673) (McCormick on Evidence'. Zapruder film 'until I had memorized every move- 3rd Ed. Edited by Edward W Cleary, West Publish- ment and found some that the Commission's in - When viewed from the basilar aspect the disrup- vestigators had missed,' His book reaches its apex tion of the right cortex is again obvious. There is a ing Co.. St. Paul, MN. 1984: Title 8. Demonstra- in describing the very moment of the President's longitudinal laceration of the mid-brain tive Evidence.Chapter 21 Demonstrative Evidence: through death: 'Now. in a gesture of infinite grace. he the floor of the third ventricle Section 214) just behind the op- raised his right hand, as though to brush back tic chiasm and the rhamillary bodies. This lacera- Obviously, judgment is called for in evalu- his tousled chestnut hair. But the motion faltered. tion partially communicates with an oblique I .5 ating whether or not a film is edited based on The hand fell back limply. He had been reaching .7z, tear through the left cerebral peduncle. There what witnesses say. But Thompson for the top of his head. But it wasn't there any- are irregular superficial lacerations over the basilar dismisses more" We know from the Zapruder film that no aspects of the left temporal and frontal lobes the possibility outright. such gesture ever occurred." Rather than superimposing corroborated (Six Seconds. p.16) Engorged vessels, blood under the mem- witness reports upon the films, Thompson We do not "know" from the Zapruder film brane, a small 1.5cm tear, superficial lacera- does the opposite: he superimposes the "in- that "no such gesture ever occurred." This tions... do not suggest the "main thrust" of violable" film upon the witness reports. But omniscient point of view is highly inappropri- the bullet went to the left brain. Humes con- sometimes he tries to superimpose a witness ate to an objective study of evidence, especially sidered the damage only "contre-coup," report onto the film—when it is not there: since other witnesses within only a few feet of brought about when the disruptive force of Kennedy said the same thing, only more ex- the injury pushed that portion of the brain Example 1, not on film; plicitly. There are numerous other examples of against the relative intact skull." (214356) corroboration between two important groups The next day The New York Times had reported that Thompson and 'Mr. Kennedy also had a massive gaping wound in of witnesses: (a) those who saw the event in the back and one on the right side of the head." person, and (b) those who minutely studied the the Zapruder Film These early reports accorded much more closely Zapruder film. One example is presented as a with what the witnesses had seen, what the Za- separate article, "The Mutation of a Quote." "photographs the only pruder film had revealed...(Six Seconds. pi i 0) inviolable form of evidence- The Zapruder film shows a wound on the Conclusion The pi esent study seeks to make proper use of the right side, but it does not reveal a ''massive Thompson said that "with all the pitfalls photographs inasmuch as they constitute the only gaping wound in the back.... of the head," al- and inaccuracies considered, eyewitness tes- inviolable form of evidence. Whereas witness re- though that part of the head was quite visible timony can be of some value if objectively and ports can be in error (and witnesses can and have on the film. Note especially the area behind cautiously studied." (Six Seconds. p.21) changed their stories) and pieces of physical evi- the right ear, the temporal bone, which was How "objectively and cautiously" did Th- dence can be tampered with (the laundering of said to have been parr of the massive defect. ompson study any testimony? How accurately Governor Connally's clothes is a good example), The did he report it? Did he omit anything that is photographic evidence is reliable. This new study. film only shows damage in the top and obviously relevant? Is there a pattern to his which uses photographs as a base and superim• front of the head. poses upon them the corroborated witness reports inaccuracies, omissions, and contrived analy- and the physical evidence, takes up where the Com- Example 2, not on film: ses? Did he report anything exciting that was m ission left off. (Six Seconds. p.1 4) not already known, or about CO be in all likeli- Gayle Newman described how the President "cov- hood? Photographic evidence is "inviolable?" ered his head with his hands" (I 91-1488). and Mari- Six Seconds in Dallas is a powerful book. It Thompson is actually saying that no film lyn Sitzman told me how he put his hands up as to guard his face." These descriptions accurately obtains its power from a source Thompson has ever been tampered with ever, that it characterize what we see on the Zapruder film: could not control—the words of the witnesses. cannot be done. He cannot possibly believe instead of clutching his throat . the President seems These words have taken on a life of their own. that. Here are a few relevant quotes from to be guarding his face with his clenched fist. his They may be as ephemeral as the smoke on what I am told is the bible on evidence, elbows elevated at either side._ (Six Seconds. p.39) the knoll, but some of us can still smell that McCormick on Evidence. smoke. + September-October, 1999 prifisi