In one of the most compelling scenes from Oliver Stone’s 1991 film JFK, Kevin Costner, portraying District Attorney Jim Garrison, challenges the official account of President Kennedy’s assassination.
Drawing attention to inconsistencies in the evidence, unanswered questions, and the conclusions of the Warren Commission, Garrison presents an argument that asks viewers to question what they have been told about November 22, 1963.
JFK transcript
At approximately the 2-hour, 26-minute mark, District Attorney Jim Garrison begins his powerful courtroom argument about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
2:26:04
2 hours, 26 minutes, 4 seconds
LET IT BE NOTED THAT MY OFFICE IS CHARGING CLAY SHAW WITH OUTRIGHT PERJURY ON 15 ANSWERS HE’S GIVEN TODAY, NOT ONE WORD OF TRUTH HAVING ESCAPED HIS LIP.
2:26:13
2 hours, 26 minutes, 13 seconds
YOU’RE OUT OF ORDER! NOW SIT DOWN! THAT’S THE MAN. SLIDE RIGHT OFF OF IT. INTERNATIONAL TRADE MART… HE’S TOTALLY SANE.
2:26:21
2 hours, 26 minutes, 21 seconds
OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. YOU’VE BEEN SAYING IN COURT…
2:26:24
2 hours, 26 minutes, 24 seconds
TO PROVE THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY INVOLVING CLAY SHAW, WE MUST FIRST PROVE THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE MAN INVOLVED IN THE ASSASSINATION.
2:26:32
2 hours, 26 minutes, 32 seconds
TO DO THAT, WE MUST LOOK AT THE ZAPRUDER FILM, WHICH MY OFFICE HAS SUBPOENAED.
2:26:38
2 hours, 26 minutes, 38 seconds
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS NOT SEEN THAT– THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS NOT SEEN THAT FILM
2:26:45
2 hours, 26 minutes, 45 seconds
BECAUSE IT’S BEEN LOCKED AWAY IN A VAULT FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS IN THE TIME-LIFE BUILDING IN NEW YORK CITY.
2:26:53
2 hours, 26 minutes, 53 seconds
THERE’S A REASON FOR THAT. WATCH.
2:27:47
2 hours, 27 minutes, 47 seconds
Jim: A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS, DOESN’T IT?
2:27:50
2 hours, 27 minutes, 50 seconds
THE WARREN COMMISSION THOUGHT THEY HAD AN OPEN-AND-SHUT CASE. 3 BULLETS, ONE ASSASSIN.
2:27:56
2 hours, 27 minutes, 56 seconds
BUT TWO UNPREDICTABLE THINGS HAPPENED THAT DAY THAT MADE IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
2:28:01
2 hours, 28 minutes, 1 second
1–THE 8mm HOME MOVIE TAKEN BY ABRAHAM ZAPRUDER WHILE STANDING NEAR THE GRASSY KNOLL, AND 2–THE THIRD WOUNDED MAN JAMES TAGUE,
2:28:10
2 hours, 28 minutes, 10 seconds
WHO WAS NICKED BY A FRAGMENT WHILE STANDING NEAR THE TRIPLE UNDERPASS.
2:28:15
2 hours, 28 minutes, 15 seconds
THE TIME FRAME 5.6 SECONDS ESTABLISHED BY THE ZAPRUDER FILM LEFT NO POSSIBILITY OF A FOURTH SHOT.
2:28:21
2 hours, 28 minutes, 21 seconds
SO THE SHOT OR FRAGMENT THAT LEFT A SUPERFICIAL WOUND ON TAGUE’S CHEEK HAD TO COME FROM ONE OF THE 3 BULLETS FIRED FROM THE SIXTH FLOOR OF THE DEPOSITORY.
2:28:31
2 hours, 28 minutes, 31 seconds
THAT LEAVES JUST TWO BULLETS.
2:28:33
2 hours, 28 minutes, 33 seconds
AND WE KNOW ONE WAS THE FATAL HEAD SHOT THAT KILLED KENNEDY. SO NOW A SINGLE BULLET REMAINS.
2:28:41
2 hours, 28 minutes, 41 seconds
A SINGLE BULLET HAS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE REMAINING 7 WOUNDS IN KENNEDY AND CONNALLY.
2:28:46
2 hours, 28 minutes, 46 seconds
RATHER THAN ADMIT TO A CONSPIRACY OR INVESTIGATE FURTHER, THE WARREN COMMISSION CHOSE TO ENDORSE THE THEORY PUT FORTH
2:28:53
2 hours, 28 minutes, 53 seconds
BY AN AMBITIOUS JUNIOR COUNSELOR, ARLEN SPECTER, ONE OF THE GROSSEST LIES EVER FORCED ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
2:28:59
2 hours, 28 minutes, 59 seconds
WE’VE COME TO KNOW IT AS THE MAGIC BULLET THEORY.
2:29:03
2 hours, 29 minutes, 3 seconds
THE MAGIC BULLET ENTERS THE PRESIDENT’S BACK, HEADED DOWNWARD AT AN ANGLE OF 17 DEGREES.
2:29:09
2 hours, 29 minutes, 9 seconds
IT THEN MOVES UPWARD IN ORDER TO LEAVE KENNEDY’S BODY FROM THE FRONT OF HIS NECK, WOUND NUMBER TWO,
2:29:17
2 hours, 29 minutes, 17 seconds
WHERE IT WAITS 1.6 SECONDS, PRESUMABLY IN MIDAIR, WHERE IT TURNS RIGHT, THEN LEFT, RIGHT,
2:29:25
2 hours, 29 minutes, 25 seconds
THEN LEFT, AND CONTINUES INTO CONNALLY’S BODY, AT THE REAR OF HIS RIGHT ARMPIT, WOUND NUMBER THREE.
2:29:32
2 hours, 29 minutes, 32 seconds
THE BULLET THEN HEADS DOWNWARD AT AN ANGLE OF 27 DEGREES, SHATTERING CONNALLY’S FIFTH RIB AND EXITING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS CHEST, WOUND NUMBER FOUR.
2:29:42
2 hours, 29 minutes, 42 seconds
THE BULLET THEN TURNS RIGHT AND RE-ENTERS CONNALLY’S BODY AT HIS RIGHT WRIST, WOUND NUMBER 5, SHATTERING THE RADIUS BONE.
2:29:52
2 hours, 29 minutes, 52 seconds
THE BULLET EXITS CONNALLY’S WRIST, WOUND NUMBER 6, MAKES A DRAMATIC U-TURN AND BURIES ITSELF INTO CONNALLY’S LEFT THIGH,
2:30:00
2 hours, 30 minutes
WOUND NUMBER 7, FROM WHICH IT LATER FALLS OUT AND IS FOUND IN ALMOST PRISTINE CONDITION ON A STRETCHER IN A CORRIDOR OF PARKLAND HOSPITAL.
2:30:12
2 hours, 30 minutes, 12 seconds
THAT’S SOME BULLET.
2:30:14
2 hours, 30 minutes, 14 seconds
ANYONE WHO’S BEEN IN COMBAT WILL TELL YOU NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF GUNFIRE HAS THERE BEEN A BULLET THIS RIDICULOUS.
2:30:22
2 hours, 30 minutes, 22 seconds
YET THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT CAN PROVE IT WITH SOME FANCY PHYSICS IN A NUCLEAR LABORATORY. OF COURSE THEY CAN.
2:30:29
2 hours, 30 minutes, 29 seconds
THEORETICAL PHYSICS CAN PROVE THAT AN ELEPHANT CAN HANG FROM A CLIFF WITH HIS TAIL TIED TO A DAISY. BUT USE YOUR EYES, YOUR COMMON SENSE.
2:30:39
2 hours, 30 minutes, 39 seconds
THE ARMY WOUND BALLISTICS EXPERTS AT EDWARD ARSENAL FIRED SOME COMPARISON BULLETS. NOT ONE OF THEM LOOKED ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
2:30:47
2 hours, 30 minutes, 47 seconds
TAKE A LOOK AT CE-856, AN IDENTICAL BULLET FIRED THROUGH THE WRIST OF A HUMAN CADAVER.
2:30:56
2 hours, 30 minutes, 56 seconds
JUST ONE OF THE BONES SMASHED BY THE MAGIC BULLET. 7 WOUNDS, GENTLEMEN. TOUGH SKIN.
2:31:04
2 hours, 31 minutes, 4 seconds
DENSE BONES.
2:31:07
2 hours, 31 minutes, 7 seconds
THIS SINGLE BULLET EXPLANATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE WARREN COMMISSION’S CLAIM OF A LONE ASSASSIN.
2:31:14
2 hours, 31 minutes, 14 seconds
ONCE YOU CONCLUDE THE MAGIC BULLET COULD NOT CREATE ALL 7 OF THOSE WOUNDS, YOU HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT THERE WAS A FOURTH SHOT AND A SECOND RIFLEMAN.
2:31:24
2 hours, 31 minutes, 24 seconds
AND IF THERE WAS A SECOND RIFLEMAN, BY DEFINITION, THERE HAD TO BE A CONSPIRACY, WHICH WE BELIEVE INVOLVES THE ACCUSED, CLAY SHAW.
2:31:34
2 hours, 31 minutes, 34 seconds
51 WITNESSES, GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY, THOUGHT THEY HEARD SHOTS COMING FROM THE GRASSY KNOLL, WHICH IS TO THE RIGHT AND FRONT OF THE PRESIDENT.
2:31:45
2 hours, 31 minutes, 45 seconds
KEY WITNESSES THAT DAY– CHARLES BREHM, A COMBAT VET. RIGHT BEHIND, JEAN HILL AND MARY MOORMAN.
2:31:53
2 hours, 31 minutes, 53 seconds
S.M. HOLLAND, RICHARD DODD, JAMES SIMMONS STANDING ON THE OVERPASS. J.C. PRICE OVERLOOKING THE WHOLE PLAZA.
2:32:01
2 hours, 32 minutes, 1 second
WILLIAM NEWMAN, FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN, WHO HIT THE DECK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF ELM.
2:32:08
2 hours, 32 minutes, 8 seconds
ABRAHAM ZAPRUDER.
2:32:19
2 hours, 32 minutes, 19 seconds
[GUNSHOT]
2:32:20
2 hours, 32 minutes, 20 seconds
[SCREAMING]
2:32:25
2 hours, 32 minutes, 25 seconds
[GUNSHOT]
2:32:26
2 hours, 32 minutes, 26 seconds
EACH OF THESE KEY WITNESSES HAS NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER ONE OR MORE SHOTS CAME FROM BEHIND THE PICKET FENCE.
2:32:33
2 hours, 32 minutes, 33 seconds
26 TRAINED MEDICAL PERSONNEL AT PARKLAND HOSPITAL SAW WITH THEIR OWN EYES THE BACK OF THE PRESIDENT’S HEAD BLASTED OUT.
2:32:43
2 hours, 32 minutes, 43 seconds
DR. PETERS.
2:32:45
2 hours, 32 minutes, 45 seconds
THERE WAS A LARGE 7-CENTIMETER OPENING IN THE RIGHT OCCIPITAL PARIETAL AREA.
2:32:50
2 hours, 32 minutes, 50 seconds
A CONSIDERABLE PORTION OF THE BRAIN WAS MISSING THERE.
2:32:54
2 hours, 32 minutes, 54 seconds
ALMOST A FIFTH, OR POSSIBLY A QUARTER, OF THE BACK OF THE HEAD WAS BLASTED OUT ALONG WITH THE UNDERLYING BRAIN TISSUE.
2:33:02
2 hours, 33 minutes, 2 seconds
SHOULD WE DECLARE HIM DEAD FOR LAST RITES?
2:33:05
2 hours, 33 minutes, 5 seconds
THERE WAS ALSO SOME SKULL ATTACHED TO A FLAP OF SCALP.
2:33:09
2 hours, 33 minutes, 9 seconds
THE EXIT HOLE IN THE REAR MEASURED ABOUT 120mm, OR 5 INCHES ACROSS.
2:33:15
2 hours, 33 minutes, 15 seconds
Jim: NOT ONE CIVILIAN DOCTOR WHO EXAMINED THE PRESIDENT AT PARKLAND HOSPITAL REGARDED HIS THROAT WOUND AS ANYTHING BUT AN ENTRY WOUND.
2:33:23
2 hours, 33 minutes, 23 seconds
BUT THEN THE BODY WAS ILLEGALLY MOVED TO WASHINGTON FOR THE AUTOPSY.
2:33:27
2 hours, 33 minutes, 27 seconds
BECAUSE WHEN A COUP D’ETAT HAS OCCURRED, THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED BY CIVILIAN DOCTORS AND ONE PERFORMED BY MILITARY DOCTORS UNDER ORDERS.
2:33:39
2 hours, 33 minutes, 39 seconds
DEPARTURE OF AIR FORCE ONE FROM LOVE FIELD WASN’T SO MUCH A TAKEOFF AS IT WAS A GETAWAY, WITH THE NEWLY SWORN-IN PRESIDENT.
2:33:47
2 hours, 33 minutes, 47 seconds
OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. SUSTAINED.
2:33:50
2 hours, 33 minutes, 50 seconds
ON THE PLANE, OSWALD’S GUILT WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM TO ALL PASSENGERS BEFORE ANY INVESTIGATION HAD STARTED.
2:33:57
2 hours, 33 minutes, 57 seconds
THE ANGRY LONE NUT SOLUTION BEGINNING TO TAKE ITS SHAPE. OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. SUSTAINED.
2:34:04
2 hours, 34 minutes, 4 seconds
MR. GARRISON, WILL YOU PLEASE BOTTLE THE ACT?
2:34:09
2 hours, 34 minutes, 9 seconds
THE THREE BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL DOCTORS PICKED BY THE MILITARY LEFT SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED, INSOMUCH AS NONE OF THEM HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH COMBAT GUNFIRE WOUNDS.
2:34:19
2 hours, 34 minutes, 19 seconds
THROUGH THEIR AUTOPSY, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO JUSTIFY EIGHT WOUNDS FROM JUST TWO BULLETS– THREE TO KENNEDY, FIVE TO CONNALLY, ONE OF THEM BEING THE MAGIC BULLET.
2:34:28
2 hours, 34 minutes, 28 seconds
FBI? HERE.
2:34:30
2 hours, 34 minutes, 30 seconds
COLONEL FINCK, SOMEONE TOLD YOU NOT TO DISSECT THE NECK? I WAS TOLD THE FAMILY WANTED THE HEAD EXAMINED.
2:34:38
2 hours, 34 minutes, 38 seconds
OH, CHRIST. LOOKS LIKE HALF HIS BRAIN’S GONE. LET’S WEIGH IT. 653 GRAMS.
2:34:44
2 hours, 34 minutes, 44 seconds
AS A PATHOLOGIST, IT’S YOUR OBLIGATION TO EXPLORE ALL POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DEATH. I HAD THE CAUSE OF DEATH.
2:34:50
2 hours, 34 minutes, 50 seconds
YOUR HONOR, PLEASE DIRECT THE WITNESS TO ANSWER MY QUESTION. WHY NOT DISSECT THE TRACK OF THE BULLET WOUND?
2:34:57
2 hours, 34 minutes, 57 seconds
I HEARD DR. HUMES STATING THAT… THAT’S ENOUGH. THAT’S ENOUGH. IT’S DULY NOTED. LET’S CHECK THE BACK, GENTLEMEN.
2:35:06
2 hours, 35 minutes, 6 seconds
ALL RIGHT, LET’S LIFT HIM. THERE’S SPINAL FLUID COMING OUT OF HIS RIGHT EAR.
2:35:12
2 hours, 35 minutes, 12 seconds
I CAN FEEL THE END OF THE WOUND WITH MY FINGER. THAT WON’T BE NECESSARY, COMMANDER.
2:35:21
2 hours, 35 minutes, 21 seconds
WATCH THE EAR. YES, SIR. SHOT IN THE BACK. CHEAP CRIME. Finck: HE SAID…
2:35:28
2 hours, 35 minutes, 28 seconds
WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE? I AM. I DON’T REMEMBER HIS NAME. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND, IT WAS QUITE CROWDED.
2:35:37
2 hours, 35 minutes, 37 seconds
IN CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THAT, LOOKING AT THE WOUND OF THE DEAD PRESIDENT, YOU DON’T ASK FOR NAMES AND WHO THEY ARE.
2:35:44
2 hours, 35 minutes, 44 seconds
YOU WERE A QUALIFIED PATHOLOGIST. WAS THIS ARMY GENERAL A QUALIFIED PATHOLOGIST? NO. NO, BUT YOU TOOK HIS ORDERS.
2:35:51
2 hours, 35 minutes, 51 seconds
YES. SO HE WAS DIRECTING THE AUTOPSY. NO. NO. NO, BECAUSE THERE WERE OTHERS. THERE WERE OTHERS. THERE WERE ADMIRALS.
2:36:00
2 hours, 36 minutes
ADMIRALS?
2:36:01
2 hours, 36 minutes, 1 second
YES, AND WHEN YOU’RE A LIEUTENANT COLONEL IN THE ARMY, YOU JUST FOLLOW ORDERS.
2:36:06
2 hours, 36 minutes, 6 seconds
IT’S NOT OUR BUSINESS TO DISCUSS THIS WITH ANYONE OUTSIDE THIS ROOM.
2:36:10
2 hours, 36 minutes, 10 seconds
IT WAS ADMIRAL KENNEY, THE SURGEON GENERAL OF THE NAVY. WE WERE SPECIFICALLY TOLD NOT TO DISCUSS THE CASE.
2:36:19
2 hours, 36 minutes, 19 seconds
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DAY WERE DECIDING WHAT WAS PRIVATE, NONE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’S BUSINESS.
2:36:25
2 hours, 36 minutes, 25 seconds
THE CHIEF PATHOLOGIST, COMMANDER HUGHES, BY HIS OWN ADMISSION VOLUNTARILY BURNED HIS AUTOPSY NOTES.
2:36:31
2 hours, 36 minutes, 31 seconds
PRESIDENT JOHNSON ORDERS THE BLOOD-SOAKED LIMOUSINE FILLED WITH BULLET HOLES AND CLUES TO BE IMMEDIATELY WASHED AND REBUILT.
2:36:39
2 hours, 36 minutes, 39 seconds
HE SENDS CONNALLY’S BLOODY SUIT RIGHT TO THE CLEANERS.
2:36:42
2 hours, 36 minutes, 42 seconds
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DENIED THIS OFFICE ACCESS TO THE AUTOPSY PHOTOS.
2:36:46
2 hours, 36 minutes, 46 seconds
AND WHEN WE FINALLY GET A COURT ORDER TO EXAMINE PRESIDENT KENNEDY’S BRAIN IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, HOPING TO FIND WHICH DIRECTION THE BULLET CAME FROM,
2:36:55
2 hours, 36 minutes, 55 seconds
WE’RE TOLD BY THE GOVERNMENT– YOUR GOVERNMENT– THAT THE PRESIDENT’S BRAIN HAS DISAPPEARED.
2:37:05
2 hours, 37 minutes, 5 seconds
THAT’S NOT ALL THAT’S DISAPPEARED, GENTLEMEN. WITH IT, I THINK, THE CONCEPT OF JUSTICE. OBJECTION!
2:37:11
2 hours, 37 minutes, 11 seconds
NOT ONLY IS MR. GARRISON INSULTING THE GOVERNMENT, BUT HE IS ALSO– OVERRULED, OVERRULED.
2:37:23
2 hours, 37 minutes, 23 seconds
SO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT DAY? LET’S JUST FOR A MOMENT SPECULATE, SHALL WE?
2:37:28
2 hours, 37 minutes, 28 seconds
WE HAVE THE EPILEPTIC SEIZURE AROUND 12:15 P.M., DISTRACTING THE POLICE, MAKING IT EASIER FOR THE SHOOTERS TO MOVE INTO PLACE.
2:37:37
2 hours, 37 minutes, 37 seconds
THE EPILEPTIC LATER VANISHED, NEVER CHECKING INTO THE HOSPITAL.
2:37:41
2 hours, 37 minutes, 41 seconds
THE A-TEAM GETS ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF THE DEPOSITORY.
2:37:45
2 hours, 37 minutes, 45 seconds
THEY WERE REFURBISHING THE FLOORS THAT WEEK, WHICH ALLOWED UNKNOWN WORKMEN IN AND OUT OF THE BUILDING.
2:37:51
2 hours, 37 minutes, 51 seconds
THEY MOVED QUICKLY INTO POSITION, JUST MINUTES BEFORE THE SHOOTING.
2:37:55
2 hours, 37 minutes, 55 seconds
THE SECOND SPOTTER ON THE RADIO TALKING TO THE OTHER TWO TEAMS HAS THE BEST OVERALL VIEW– THE GOD SPOT.
2:38:02
2 hours, 38 minutes, 2 seconds
B-TEAM–ONE RIFLEMAN AND ONE SPOTTER WITH A HEADSET AND ACCESS TO THE BUILDING MOVES INTO THE LOW FLOOR OF THE DAL-TEX BUILDING.
2:38:12
2 hours, 38 minutes, 12 seconds
THE THIRD TEAM, THE C-TEAM, MOVES BEHIND THE PICKET FENCE ABOVE THE GRASSY KNOLL WHERE THE SHOOTER AND THE SPOTTER ARE FIRST SEEN
2:38:20
2 hours, 38 minutes, 20 seconds
BY THE LATE LEE BOWERS IN THE WATCHTOWER OF THE RAIL YARD. THEY HAVE THE BEST POSITION. KENNEDY IS CLOSE AND ON A FLAT, LOW TRAJECTORY.
2:38:29
2 hours, 38 minutes, 29 seconds
PART OF THIS TEAM IS A COORDINATOR WHO’S FLASHED SECURITY CREDENTIALS, CHASING SEVERAL PEOPLE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AREA.
2:38:36
2 hours, 38 minutes, 36 seconds
PROBABLY 2-3 MORE MEN ARE IN THE CROWD ON ELM. 10-12 MEN. 3 TEAMS. 3 SHOOTERS.
2:38:44
2 hours, 38 minutes, 44 seconds
THE TRIANGULATION OF FIRE CLAY SHAW AND DAVID FERRIE DISCUSSED 2 MONTHS BEFORE. THEY’VE WALKED THE PLAZA.
2:38:52
2 hours, 38 minutes, 52 seconds
THEY KNOW EVERY INCH. THEY’VE CALIBRATED THEIR SIGHTS. THEY’VE PRACTICED ON MOVING TARGETS.
2:39:00
2 hours, 39 minutes
THEY’RE READY.
2:39:03
2 hours, 39 minutes, 3 seconds
KENNEDY’S MOTORCADE MAKES A TURN FROM MAIN ONTO HOUSTON. IT’S GOING TO BE A TURKEY SHOOT.
2:39:10
2 hours, 39 minutes, 10 seconds
THEY DON’T SHOOT HIM COMING UP HOUSTON, WHICH IS THE EASIEST SHOT FROM THE BOOK DEPOSITORY.
2:39:16
2 hours, 39 minutes, 16 seconds
THEY WAIT TILL HE GETS TO THE KILLING ZONE BETWEEN 3 RIFLES.
2:39:21
2 hours, 39 minutes, 21 seconds
KENNEDY MAKES A FINAL TURN FROM HOUSTON ONTO ELM, SLOWING DOWN TO SOME 11 MILES AN HOUR.
2:39:30
2 hours, 39 minutes, 30 seconds
THE SHOOTERS ACROSS DEALEY PLAZA TIGHTEN, TAKING THEIR AIM…
2:39:35
2 hours, 39 minutes, 35 seconds
WAITING FOR THE RADIO TO SAY, “GREEN! GREEN!” OR “ABORT. ABORT.”
2:39:48
2 hours, 39 minutes, 48 seconds
THE FIRST SHOT RINGS OUT, SOUNDING LIKE A BACKFIRE. IT MISSES THE CAR COMPLETELY.
2:39:55
2 hours, 39 minutes, 55 seconds
FRAME 161, KENNEDY STOPS WAVING AS HE HEARS SOMETHING. CONNALLY’S HEAD TURNS SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT.
2:40:01
2 hours, 40 minutes, 1 second
FRAME 193, THE SECOND SHOT HITS KENNEDY IN THE THROAT FROM THE FRONT.
2:40:06
2 hours, 40 minutes, 6 seconds
FRAME 225, THE PRESIDENT EMERGING FROM BEHIND THE ROAD SIGN.
2:40:09
2 hours, 40 minutes, 9 seconds
YOU SEE HE’S OBVIOUSLY BEEN HIT, RAISING HIS ARMS TO HIS THROAT.
2:40:14
2 hours, 40 minutes, 14 seconds
THE THIRD SHOT, FRAME 232, HITS KENNEDY IN THE BACK, PULLING HIM DOWNWARD AND FORWARD. CONNALLY, YOU’LL NOTICE, SHOWS NO SIGNS OF BEING HIT.
2:40:23
2 hours, 40 minutes, 23 seconds
HE IS VISIBLY HOLDING HIS STETSON, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE IF HIS WRIST IS SHATTERED.
2:40:27
2 hours, 40 minutes, 27 seconds
CONNALLY IS TURNING HERE NOW, FRAME 238, THE FOURTH SHOT.
2:40:32
2 hours, 40 minutes, 32 seconds
IT MISSES KENNEDY AND TAKES CONNALLY IN THE BACK. THIS SHOT PROVES THERE WERE TWO RIFLES.
2:40:39
2 hours, 40 minutes, 39 seconds
CONNALLY YELLS OUT, “MY GOD! THEY’RE GOING TO KILL US ALL!” AROUND THIS TIME, ANOTHER SHOT MISSES THE CAR, STRIKES JAMES TAGUE DOWN BY THE UNDERPASS.
2:40:49
2 hours, 40 minutes, 49 seconds
THE CAR BRAKES.
2:40:50
2 hours, 40 minutes, 50 seconds
THE SIXTH AND FATAL SHOT, FRAME 313, TAKES KENNEDY IN THE HEAD FROM THE FRONT. THIS IS THE KEY SHOT.
2:41:00
2 hours, 41 minutes
THE PRESIDENT GOING BACK AND TO HIS LEFT, SHOT FROM THE FRONT AND RIGHT, TOTALLY INCONSISTENT WITH THE SHOT FROM THE DEPOSITORY.
2:41:10
2 hours, 41 minutes, 10 seconds
AGAIN. BACK… AND TO THE LEFT. BACK AND TO THE LEFT.
2:41:18
2 hours, 41 minutes, 18 seconds
BACK AND TO THE LEFT. BACK AND TO THE LEFT. SO, WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
2:41:30
2 hours, 41 minutes, 30 seconds
PANDEMONIUM. LET’S GO. WE GOT HIM, BUDDY.
2:41:40
2 hours, 41 minutes, 40 seconds
THE SHOOTERS DISASSEMBLE THEIR VARIOUS WEAPONS, ALL EXCEPT THE OSWALD RIFLE.
2:41:57
2 hours, 41 minutes, 57 seconds
PATROLMAN JOE SMITH RUSHES INTO THE PARKING LOT BEHIND THE PICKET FENCE. HE SMELLS GUNPOWDER.
2:42:03
2 hours, 42 minutes, 3 seconds
THE CHARACTER PRODUCED CREDENTIALS FROM HIS POCKET THAT SHOWED HIM TO BE SECRET SERVICE. LET’S SEE YOUR I.D. SEE ANYBODY ELSE UP HERE?
2:42:11
2 hours, 42 minutes, 11 seconds
NO. KEEP LOOKING. I LET HIM GO AND CONTINUED TO SEARCH.
2:42:15
2 hours, 42 minutes, 15 seconds
I REGRETTED IT, ‘CAUSE HE LOOKED LIKE AN AUTO MECHANIC.
2:42:18
2 hours, 42 minutes, 18 seconds
HE HAD ON A SPORT SHIRT AND PANTS, BUT HE HAD DIRTY FINGERNAILS. AFTERWARD, IT DIDN’T RING TRUE.
2:42:26
2 hours, 42 minutes, 26 seconds
BUT AT THE TIME, WE WERE SO PRESSED FOR TIME.
2:42:30
2 hours, 42 minutes, 30 seconds
YET ALL SECRET SERVICE MEN IN DALLAS THAT DAY ARE ACCOUNTED FOR.
2:42:34
2 hours, 42 minutes, 34 seconds
NONE WERE ON FOOT IN DEALEY PLAZA TILL DALLAS SECRET SERVICE CHIEF FORREST SORRELS RETURNED AT 12:55.
2:42:42
2 hours, 42 minutes, 42 seconds
12 OTHER INDIVIDUALS WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY DALLAS POLICE. NO RECORD OF THEIR ARREST.
2:42:48
2 hours, 42 minutes, 48 seconds
MEN ACTING LIKE HOBOS WERE BEING PULLED OFF TRAINS, MARCHED THROUGH DEALEY PLAZA, PHOTOGRAPHED, AND YET THERE’S NO RECORDS OF THEIR ARRESTS.
2:42:58
2 hours, 42 minutes, 58 seconds
MEN IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS SECRET SERVICE AGENTS ALL OVER THE PLACE. BUT WHO WAS IMPERSONATING THEM? AND WHERE WAS LEE HARVEY OSWALD?
2:43:06
2 hours, 43 minutes, 6 seconds
AROUND 12:15, ON HER WAY OUT TO SEE THE MOTORCADE, SECRETARY CAROLYN ARNOLD SEES OSWALD IN THE SECOND-FLOOR SNACK ROOM, WHERE HE SAID HE WENT FOR A COKE.
2:43:17
2 hours, 43 minutes, 17 seconds
HE WAS IN A BOOTH ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
2:43:20
2 hours, 43 minutes, 20 seconds
HE WAS BY HIMSELF AS USUAL, APPEARED TO BE HAVING HIS LUNCH. I DIDN’T SPEAK TO HIM, BUT I RECOGNIZED HIM.
2:43:28
2 hours, 43 minutes, 28 seconds
AT THE SAME TIME, BONNIE RAY WILLIAMS IS EATING HIS CHICKEN LUNCH IN THE SIXTH FLOOR. HE’S THERE UNTIL 12:15, MAYBE 12:20.
2:43:37
2 hours, 43 minutes, 37 seconds
HE SEES NOBODY. ARNOLD ROWLAND’S DOWN ON THE STREET. HE SEES TWO MEN IN THE SIXTH-FLOOR WINDOW.
2:43:44
2 hours, 43 minutes, 44 seconds
PRESUMABLY, AFTER BONNIE RAY WILLIAMS HAD FINISHED HIS LUNCH AND LEFT.
2:43:48
2 hours, 43 minutes, 48 seconds
JOHN POWELL, A PRISONER IN THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL, SEES THEM. LOTS OF US GUYS SAW THEM. EVERYBODY WAS HOLLERING AND YELLING.
2:43:56
2 hours, 43 minutes, 56 seconds
WE THOUGHT THEY WERE SECURITY GUYS.
2:43:58
2 hours, 43 minutes, 58 seconds
IF OSWALD WAS THE ASSASSIN, HE WAS CERTAINLY NONCHALANT ABOUT MOVING HIMSELF INTO POSITION.
2:44:03
2 hours, 44 minutes, 3 seconds
LATER, HE TOLD DALLAS POLICE HE WAS IN THE SECOND-FLOOR SNACK ROOM, PROBABLY TOLD TO WAIT THERE BY HIS HANDLER FOR A PHONE CALL.
2:44:12
2 hours, 44 minutes, 12 seconds
BUT THE PHONE CALL NEVER CAME.
2:44:14
2 hours, 44 minutes, 14 seconds
A MAXIMUM 90 SECONDS AFTER KENNEDY IS SHOT, PATROLMAN MARION BAKER RUNS INTO OSWALD IN THAT SECOND-FLOOR LUNCHROOM. HEY, YOU!
2:44:23
2 hours, 44 minutes, 23 seconds
YOU KNOW THIS MAN? IS HE AN EMPLOYEE? YES, HE IS. THE PRESIDENT’S BEEN SHOT.
2:44:28
2 hours, 44 minutes, 28 seconds
THE WARREN COMMISSION WANTS US TO BELIEVE IS THAT AFTER FIRING 3 BOLT-ACTION SHOTS IN 5.6 SECONDS, OSWALD THEN LEAVES 3 CARTRIDGES
2:44:36
2 hours, 44 minutes, 36 seconds
NEATLY SIDE-BY-SIDE IN THE FIRING NEST, WIPES THE RIFLE CLEAR OF FINGERPRINTS, STASHES THE RIFLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOFT,
2:44:45
2 hours, 44 minutes, 45 seconds
SPRINTS DOWN 5 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS, PAST WITNESSES WHO NEVER SEE HIM, THEN SHOWS UP COOL AND CALM ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN FRONT OF PATROLMAN BAKER.
2:44:57
2 hours, 44 minutes, 57 seconds
ALL THIS WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF THE SHOOTING. HEY, YOU! YOU KNOW THIS MAN? IS HE AN EMPLOYEE? YES, HE IS.
2:45:04
2 hours, 45 minutes, 4 seconds
THE PRESIDENT’S BEEN SHOT. IS HE OUT OF BREATH? ACCORDING TO BAKER, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
2:45:10
2 hours, 45 minutes, 10 seconds
ASSUMING HE IS THE SOLE ASSASSIN, OSWALD IS NOW FREE TO ESCAPE FROM THE BUILDING.
2:45:15
2 hours, 45 minutes, 15 seconds
THE LONGER HE DELAYS, THE MORE CHANCE THE BUILDING WILL BE SEALED BY POLICE. IS HE GUILTY?
2:45:22
2 hours, 45 minutes, 22 seconds
DOES HE WALK OUT THE NEAREST STAIRCASE? NO. HE BUYS A COKE.
2:45:28
2 hours, 45 minutes, 28 seconds
AND AT A SLOW PACE, SPOTTED BY MRS. REED ON THE SECOND FLOOR, HE STROLLS OUT THE MORE DISTANT FRONT EXIT, WHERE THE COPS HAVE GATHERED.
2:45:38
2 hours, 45 minutes, 38 seconds
ODDLY, CONSIDERING THAT 3 SHOTS WERE FIRED FROM THERE, NOBODY SEALS THE BOOK DEPOSITORY FOR 10 MORE MINUTES. OSWALD SLIPS OUT, AS DO SEVERAL OTHER EMPLOYEES.
2:45:47
2 hours, 45 minutes, 47 seconds
OF COURSE, WHEN HE REALIZED SOMETHING HAD GONE WRONG AND THE PRESIDENT HAD BEEN KILLED, HE KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM.
2:45:54
2 hours, 45 minutes, 54 seconds
HE MAY HAVE EVEN KNOWN HE WAS THE PATSY. AN INTUITION, MAYBE. THE PRESIDENT KILLED IN SPITE OF HIS WARNING. THE PHONE CALL THAT NEVER CAME.
2:46:02
2 hours, 46 minutes, 2 seconds
PERHAPS FEAR CAME TO OSWALD FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
2:46:06
2 hours, 46 minutes, 6 seconds
SO OSWALD RETURNS TO HIS ROOMING HOUSE AROUND 1:00 P.M., A HALF-HOUR AFTER THE ASSASSINATION. LEE, A MAN SHOT THE PRESIDENT.
2:46:15
2 hours, 46 minutes, 15 seconds
HE PUTS ON HIS JACKET, GRABS HIS .38 REVOLVER, AND LEAVES AT 1:04.
2:46:20
2 hours, 46 minutes, 20 seconds
EARLENE ROBERTS, THE HOUSEKEEPER, HEARD TWO BEEPS ON A CAR HORN, AND TWO UNIFORMED COPS PULLED UP LIKE IT WAS A SIGNAL OR SOMETHING.
2:46:30
2 hours, 46 minutes, 30 seconds
OFFICER TIPPIT IS SHOT BETWEEN 1:10 AND 1:15, ABOUT A MILE AWAY.
2:46:35
2 hours, 46 minutes, 35 seconds
THOUGH NO ONE SAW HIM WALKING OR JOGGING, THE GOVERNMENT SAYS OSWALD COVERED THAT DISTANCE.
2:46:41
2 hours, 46 minutes, 41 seconds
GIVING THE GOVERNMENT THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, OSWALD HAD TO JOG A MILE IN 6-11 MINUTES, COMMIT THE MURDER, REVERSE HIS DIRECTION,
2:46:50
2 hours, 46 minutes, 50 seconds
AND WALK 3/5 MILE TO THE TEXAS THEATER AND ARRIVE SOMETIME BEFORE 1:30.
2:47:00
2 hours, 47 minutes
IT’S ALSO A USEFUL CONCLUSION AFTER ALL.
2:47:04
2 hours, 47 minutes, 4 seconds
WHY WOULD OSWALD KILL TIPPIT, UNLESS HE’D SHOT THE PRESIDENT AND FEARED ARREST? DOMINGO BENIVIDES…
2:47:12
2 hours, 47 minutes, 12 seconds
THE CLOSEST WITNESS TO THE SHOOTING, REFUSED TO IDENTIFY OSWALD AS THE KILLER AND WAS NEVER TAKEN TO A LINEUP.
2:47:20
2 hours, 47 minutes, 20 seconds
ACQUILLA CLEMONS SAW THE KILLER WITH ANOTHER MAN AND SAYS THEY WENT OFF IN SEPARATE DIRECTIONS.
2:47:25
2 hours, 47 minutes, 25 seconds
MRS. CLEMONS NEVER WENT TO A LINEUP OR TO THE WARREN COMMISSION.
2:47:29
2 hours, 47 minutes, 29 seconds
AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, OFFICER J.M. POE MARKS THE SHELLS WITH HIS INITIALS.
2:47:35
2 hours, 47 minutes, 35 seconds
THOSE INITIALS ARE NOT ON THE 3 CARTRIDGE CASES WHICH THE WARREN COMMISSION PRESENT TO HIM.
2:47:42
2 hours, 47 minutes, 42 seconds
AS EARLY AS 12:44, ONLY 14 MINUTES AFTER THE ASSASSINATION, THE POLICE PUT OUT A DESCRIPTION MATCHING OSWALD’S SIZE AND BUILD.
2:47:50
2 hours, 47 minutes, 50 seconds
OSWALD IS NEXT SEEN BY SHOE SALESMAN JOHNNY BREWER LURKING ALONG JEFFERSON AVENUE. OSWALD IS SCARED.
2:47:58
2 hours, 47 minutes, 58 seconds
HE BEGINS TO REALIZE THE FULL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS THING.
2:48:02
2 hours, 48 minutes, 2 seconds
HE GOES INTO THE TEXAS THEATER, POSSIBLY HIS PREARRANGED MEETING POINT.
2:48:06
2 hours, 48 minutes, 6 seconds
BUT THOUGH HE HAS $14 WITH HIM, HE DOES NOT BUY THE 75-CENT TICKET, AND BREWER HAS THE CASHIER CALL THE POLICE.
2:48:14
2 hours, 48 minutes, 14 seconds
IN RESPONSE TO THE CASHIER’S CALL, AT LEAST 30 OFFICERS AND A FLEET OF PATROL CARS DESCEND ON THE MOVIE THEATER.
2:48:21
2 hours, 48 minutes, 21 seconds
THIS HAS TO BE THE MOST REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF POLICE INTUITION SINCE THE REICHSTAG FIRE. AND I DON’T BUY IT.
2:48:28
2 hours, 48 minutes, 28 seconds
THEY KNEW. SOMEONE KNEW OSWALD WAS GOING TO BE THERE.
2:48:32
2 hours, 48 minutes, 32 seconds
BREWER HELPFULLY LEADS THE COPS INTO THE THEATER AND, FROM THE STAGE, POINTS OSWALD OUT.
2:48:50
2 hours, 48 minutes, 50 seconds
SIR, COULD I GET YOU TO STAND UP? THIS IS IT. KILL THE PRESIDENT, WILL YOU?
2:48:59
2 hours, 48 minutes, 59 seconds
I AM NOT RESISTING ARREST! I AM NOT RESISTING ARREST! THE POLICE HAVE THEIR MAN.
2:49:06
2 hours, 49 minutes, 6 seconds
IT’S ALREADY BEEN DECIDED IN WASHINGTON.
2:49:10
2 hours, 49 minutes, 10 seconds
BY THE TIME HE WAS BROUGHT OUT FROM THE THEATER, A LARGE CROWD IS WAITING TO SCREAM AT HIM. LEE OSWALD MUST HAVE FELT LIKE JOSEF K.
2:49:18
2 hours, 49 minutes, 18 seconds
IN KAFKA’S THE TRIAL. HE’S NEVER TOLD THE REASONS FOR HIS ARREST.
2:49:22
2 hours, 49 minutes, 22 seconds
HE DOESN’T KNOW THE UNSEEN FORCES RANGING AGAINST HIM.
2:49:25
2 hours, 49 minutes, 25 seconds
BY THE TIME HE REACHED POLICE HEADQUARTERS, HE’S BOOKED FOR MURDERING TIPPIT.
2:49:29
2 hours, 49 minutes, 29 seconds
NO LEGAL COUNSEL IS PROVIDED, NO RECORD MADE OF THE LONG QUESTIONING.
2:49:33
2 hours, 49 minutes, 33 seconds
BY THE TIME THE SUN RISES THE NEXT MORNING, HE IS BOOKED FOR MURDERING THE PRESIDENT.
2:49:39
2 hours, 49 minutes, 39 seconds
THE WHOLE COUNTRY, FUELED BY THE MEDIA, ASSUMES HE’S GUILTY.
2:49:43
2 hours, 49 minutes, 43 seconds
UNDER THE GUISE OF A PATRIOTIC NIGHT CLUB OWNER OUT TO SPARE JACKIE KENNEDY FROM HAVING TO TESTIFY AT A TRIAL,
2:49:50
2 hours, 49 minutes, 50 seconds
JACK RUBY IS SHOWN INTO AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE BY ONE OF HIS INSIDE MEN ON THE DALLAS POLICE FORCE.
2:49:56
2 hours, 49 minutes, 56 seconds
WHEN HE IS READY, LEE HARVEY OSWALD IS BROUGHT OUT LIKE THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB AND NICELY DISPOSED OF AS AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.
2:50:04
2 hours, 50 minutes, 4 seconds
OSWALD!
2:50:22
2 hours, 50 minutes, 22 seconds
WHO GRIEVES FOR LEE HARVEY OSWALD, BURIED IN A CHEAP GRAVE UNDER THE NAME OSWALD? NOBODY.
2:50:37
2 hours, 50 minutes, 37 seconds
WITHIN MINUTES, FALSE STATEMENTS AND PRESS LEAKS ABOUT OSWALD CIRCULATE THE GLOBE.
2:50:42
2 hours, 50 minutes, 42 seconds
THE OFFICIAL LEGEND IS CREATED, AND THE MEDIA TAKES IT FROM THERE.
2:50:48
2 hours, 50 minutes, 48 seconds
THE GLITTER OF OFFICIAL LIES AND THE EPIC SPLENDOR OF THE THOUGHT-NUMBING FUNERAL OF JFK CONFUSE THE EYE AND CONFOUND THE UNDERSTANDING.
2:50:57
2 hours, 50 minutes, 57 seconds
HITLER ALWAYS SAID, “THE BIGGER THE LIE, THE MORE PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE IT.” LEE HARVEY OSWALD, A CRAZED, LONELY MAN
2:51:06
2 hours, 51 minutes, 6 seconds
WHO WANTED ATTENTION AND GOT IT BY KILLING A PRESIDENT WAS ONLY THE FIRST IN A LINE OF PATSIES.
2:51:13
2 hours, 51 minutes, 13 seconds
IN LATER YEARS, BOBBY KENNEDY, MARTIN LUTHER KING– MEN WHOSE COMMITMENT TO CHANGE AND PEACE WOULD MAKE THEM DANGEROUS TO MEN COMMITTED TO WAR–
2:51:21
2 hours, 51 minutes, 21 seconds
WOULD FOLLOW, ALSO KILLED BY SUCH LONELY, CRAZED MEN– MEN WHO REMOVE OUR GUILT BY MAKING MURDER A MEANINGLESS ACT OF A LONER.
2:51:32
2 hours, 51 minutes, 32 seconds
WE’VE ALL BECOME HAMLETS IN OUR COUNTRY– CHILDREN OF A SLAIN FATHER-LEADER WHOSE KILLERS STILL POSSESS THE THRONE.
2:51:39
2 hours, 51 minutes, 39 seconds
THE GHOST OF JOHN F. KENNEDY CONFRONTS US WITH THE SECRET MURDER AT THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
2:51:45
2 hours, 51 minutes, 45 seconds
HE FORCES ON US THE APPALLING QUESTIONS– OF WHAT IS OUR CONSTITUTION MADE? WHAT IS OUR CITIZENSHIP AND, MORE, OUR LIVES WORTH?
2:51:54
2 hours, 51 minutes, 54 seconds
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF A DEMOCRACY WHERE A PRESIDENT CAN BE ASSASSINATED UNDER CONSPICUOUSLY SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE THE MACHINERY OF LEGAL ACTION SCARCELY TREMBLES?
2:52:04
2 hours, 52 minutes, 4 seconds
HOW MANY MORE POLITICAL MURDERS DISGUISED AS HEART ATTACKS, SUICIDES, CANCERS, DRUG OVERDOSES?
2:52:11
2 hours, 52 minutes, 11 seconds
HOW MANY AIRPLANE AND CAR CRASHES WILL OCCUR BEFORE THEY ARE EXPOSED FOR WHAT THEY ARE?
2:52:17
2 hours, 52 minutes, 17 seconds
“TREASON DOTH NEVER PROSPER,” WROTE AN ENGLISH POET. WHAT’S THE REASON? FOR IF IT PROSPER, NONE DARE CALL IT TREASON.
2:52:26
2 hours, 52 minutes, 26 seconds
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS YET TO SEE THE ZAPRUDER FILM. WHY?
2:52:32
2 hours, 52 minutes, 32 seconds
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS YET TO SEE THE REAL X-RAYS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AUTOPSY. WHY?
2:52:38
2 hours, 52 minutes, 38 seconds
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTS THAT COULD HELP PROVE THIS CONSPIRACY. WHY ARE THEY BEING WITHHELD OR BURNED BY THE GOVERNMENT?
2:52:45
2 hours, 52 minutes, 45 seconds
EACH TIME OUR OFFICE OR YOU THE PEOPLE HAVE ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS, DEMANDED CRUCIAL EVIDENCE, THE ANSWER FROM ON HIGH HAS ALWAYS BEEN NATIONAL SECURITY.
2:52:55
2 hours, 52 minutes, 55 seconds
WHAT KIND OF NATIONAL SECURITY DO WE HAVE WHEN WE’VE BEEN ROBBED OF OUR LEADERS?
2:53:00
2 hours, 53 minutes
WHAT NATIONAL SECURITY PERMITS THE REMOVAL OF FUNDAMENTAL POWER FROM THE HANDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND VALIDATES THE ASCENDANCY OF INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES?
2:53:10
2 hours, 53 minutes, 10 seconds
THAT KIND OF NATIONAL SECURITY IS WHEN IT SMELLS LIKE IT, FEELS LIKE IT, AND LOOKS LIKE IT,
2:53:17
2 hours, 53 minutes, 17 seconds
YOU CALL IT WHAT IT IS– FASCISM.
2:53:23
2 hours, 53 minutes, 23 seconds
I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT WHAT TOOK PLACE ON NOVEMBER 22, 1963 WAS A COUP D’ETAT.
2:53:30
2 hours, 53 minutes, 30 seconds
ITS MOST DIRECT AND TRAGIC RESULT WAS THE REVERSAL OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY’S COMMITMENT TO WITHDRAW FROM VIETNAM.
2:53:37
2 hours, 53 minutes, 37 seconds
THE WAR IS THE BIGGEST BUSINESS IN AMERICA, WORTH $80 BILLION A YEAR.
2:53:44
2 hours, 53 minutes, 44 seconds
PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS MURDERED BY A CONSPIRACY THAT WAS PLANNED IN ADVANCE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, AND IT WAS CARRIED OUT
2:53:51
2 hours, 53 minutes, 51 seconds
BY FANATICAL AND DISCIPLINED COLD WARRIORS IN THE PENTAGON AND CIA’s COVERT OPERATION APPARATUS– AMONG THEM, CLAY SHAW HERE BEFORE YOU.
2:54:00
2 hours, 54 minutes
IT WAS A PUBLIC EXECUTION, AND IT WAS COVERED UP BY LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS IN THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE SECRET SERVICE, THE FBI,
2:54:09
2 hours, 54 minutes, 9 seconds
AND THE WHITE HOUSE, ALL THE WAY UP TO, INCLUDING J. EDGAR HOOVER AND LYNDON JOHNSON, WHOM I CONSIDER ACCOMPLICES AFTER THE FACT.
2:54:18
2 hours, 54 minutes, 18 seconds
THE ASSASSINATION REDUCED THE PRESIDENT TO A TRANSIENT OFFICIAL.
2:54:23
2 hours, 54 minutes, 23 seconds
HIS JOB, HIS ASSIGNMENT, IS TO SPEAK AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE OF THIS NATION’S DESIRE FOR PEACE WHILE HE ACTS AS A BUSINESS AGENT
2:54:31
2 hours, 54 minutes, 31 seconds
IN THE CONGRESS FOR THE MILITARY AND THEIR HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS. NOW, SOME PEOPLE SAY I’M CRAZY.
2:54:38
2 hours, 54 minutes, 38 seconds
[LAUGHTER]
2:54:39
2 hours, 54 minutes, 39 seconds
A SOUTHERN CARICATURE SEEKING HIGHER OFFICE.
2:54:43
2 hours, 54 minutes, 43 seconds
WELL, THERE IS A SIMPLE WAY TO DETERMINE IF I AM PARANOID.
2:54:47
2 hours, 54 minutes, 47 seconds
LET’S ASK THE TWO MEN WHO PROFITED MOST FROM THE ASSASSINATION– YOUR FORMER PRESIDENT LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON AND YOUR NEW PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON–
2:54:55
2 hours, 54 minutes, 55 seconds
TO RELEASE THE 51 CIA DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO LEE HARVEY OSWALD AND JACK RUBY OR THE SECRET CIA MEMO
2:55:02
2 hours, 55 minutes, 2 seconds
ON OSWALD’S ACTIVITIES IN RUSSIA THAT WAS DESTROYED WHILE BEING PHOTOCOPIED.
2:55:06
2 hours, 55 minutes, 6 seconds
ALL THESE DOCUMENTS ARE YOURS, THE PEOPLE’S PROPERTY. YOU PAY FOR IT.
2:55:12
2 hours, 55 minutes, 12 seconds
BUT BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS YOU CHILDREN WHO MIGHT BE TOO DISTURBED OR DISTRESSED TO FACE THIS REALITY
2:55:18
2 hours, 55 minutes, 18 seconds
OR BECAUSE YOU MIGHT POSSIBLY LYNCH THOSE INVOLVED, YOU CANNOT SEE THESE DOCUMENTS FOR ANOTHER 75 YEARS.
2:55:26
2 hours, 55 minutes, 26 seconds
I’M IN MY EARLY 40s, SO I’LL HAVE SHUFFLED OFF THIS MORTAL COIL BY THEN, BUT I’M ALREADY TELLING MY 8-YEAR-OLD SON
2:55:35
2 hours, 55 minutes, 35 seconds
TO KEEP HIMSELF PHYSICALLY FIT SO THAT ONE GLORIOUS SEPTEMBER MORNING IN THE YEAR 2038,
2:55:42
2 hours, 55 minutes, 42 seconds
HE CAN WALK INTO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND FIND OUT WHAT THE CIA AND THE FBI KNEW. THEY MAY EVEN PUSH IT BACK THEN.
2:55:50
2 hours, 55 minutes, 50 seconds
IT MAY BECOME A GENERATIONAL AFFAIR WITH QUESTIONS PASSED DOWN FATHER TO SON, MOTHER TO DAUGHTER.
2:55:56
2 hours, 55 minutes, 56 seconds
BUT SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE MAY FIND OUT THE DAMN TRUTH. WE BETTER.
2:56:03
2 hours, 56 minutes, 3 seconds
WE BETTER OR WE MIGHT JUST AS WELL BUILD OURSELVES ANOTHER GOVERNMENT LIKE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE SAYS TO WHEN THE OLD ONE AIN’T WORKING, JUST–JUST A LITTLE FARTHER OUT WEST.
2:56:15
2 hours, 56 minutes, 15 seconds
AN AMERICAN NATURALIST WROTE, “A PATRIOT MUST ALWAYS BE READY TO DEFEND HIS COUNTRY AGAINST ITS GOVERNMENT.” I’D HATE TO BE IN YOUR SHOES TODAY.
2:56:26
2 hours, 56 minutes, 26 seconds
YOU HAVE A LOT TO THINK ABOUT.
2:56:29
2 hours, 56 minutes, 29 seconds
YOU’VE SEEN MUCH HIDDEN EVIDENCE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS NEVER SEEN.
2:56:33
2 hours, 56 minutes, 33 seconds
YOU KNOW, GOING BACK TO WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, I THINK MOST OF US IN THIS COURT ROOM THOUGHT THAT JUSTICE CAME INTO BEING AUTOMATICALLY,
2:56:42
2 hours, 56 minutes, 42 seconds
THAT VIRTUE WAS ITS OWN REWARD, THAT–THAT GOOD WOULD TRIUMPH OVER EVIL.
2:56:47
2 hours, 56 minutes, 47 seconds
BUT AS WE GET OLDER, WE KNOW THIS JUST ISN’T TRUE.
2:56:51
2 hours, 56 minutes, 51 seconds
INDIVIDUAL HUMAN BEINGS HAVE TO CREATE JUSTICE, AND THIS IS NOT EASY…
2:56:57
2 hours, 56 minutes, 57 seconds
BECAUSE THE TRUTH OFTEN POSES A THREAT TO POWER, AND ONE OFTEN HAS TO FIGHT POWER AT GREAT RISK TO THEMSELVES.
2:57:04
2 hours, 57 minutes, 4 seconds
PEOPLE LIKE S.M. HOLLAND, LEE BOWERS, JEAN HILL, WILLIE O’KEEFE– THEY’VE ALL TAKEN THAT RISK.
2:57:12
2 hours, 57 minutes, 12 seconds
THEY’VE ALL COME FORWARD.
2:57:14
2 hours, 57 minutes, 14 seconds
I HAVE HERE SOME $8,000 IN THESE LETTERS SENT–SENT TO MY OFFICE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
2:57:20
2 hours, 57 minutes, 20 seconds
QUARTERS, DIMES, DOLLAR BILLS FROM HOUSEWIVES, PLUMBERS, CAR SALESMEN, TEACHERS, INVALIDS.
2:57:27
2 hours, 57 minutes, 27 seconds
THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO SEND MONEY BUT DO.
2:57:32
2 hours, 57 minutes, 32 seconds
THESE ARE THE ONES WHO DRIVE THE CABS, WHO NURSE IN THE HOSPITALS, WHO SEE THEIR KIDS GO TO VIETNAM.
2:57:40
2 hours, 57 minutes, 40 seconds
WHY? BECAUSE THEY CARE. BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
2:57:48
2 hours, 57 minutes, 48 seconds
BECAUSE THEY WANT THEIR COUNTRY BACK.
2:57:50
2 hours, 57 minutes, 50 seconds
BECAUSE IT STILL BELONGS TO US AS LONG AS THE PEOPLE HAVE THE GUTS TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN.
2:57:59
2 hours, 57 minutes, 59 seconds
THE TRUTH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT VALUE WE HAVE BECAUSE IF THE TRUTH DOES NOT ENDURE, IF THE GOVERNMENT MURDERS TRUTH,
2:58:06
2 hours, 58 minutes, 6 seconds
IF WE CANNOT RESPECT THE HEARTS OF THESE PEOPLE, THIS ISN’T THE COUNTRY IN WHICH I WAS BORN, AND IT’S CERTAINLY NOT THE COUNTRY I WANT TO DIE IN.
2:58:15
2 hours, 58 minutes, 15 seconds
TENNYSON WROTE, “AUTHORITY FORGETS A DYING KING.” THIS WAS NEVER MORE TRUE THAN FOR JOHN F. KENNEDY,
2:58:23
2 hours, 58 minutes, 23 seconds
WHOSE MURDER WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST TERRIBLE MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.
2:58:32
2 hours, 58 minutes, 32 seconds
YOU THE PEOPLE, THE JURY SYSTEM SITTING IN JUDGMENT ON CLAY SHAW…
2:58:38
2 hours, 58 minutes, 38 seconds
REPRESENT THE HOPE OF HUMANITY AGAINST GOVERNMENT POWER.
2:58:43
2 hours, 58 minutes, 43 seconds
IN DISCHARGING YOUR DUTY AND BRINGING THE FIRST CONVICTION IN THIS HOUSE OF CARDS AGAINST CLAY SHAW,
2:58:52
2 hours, 58 minutes, 52 seconds
ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY. DO NOT FORGET… YOUR DYING KING.
2:59:03
2 hours, 59 minutes, 3 seconds
SHOW THIS WORLD THAT THIS IS STILL A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, AND BY THE PEOPLE.
2:59:12
2 hours, 59 minutes, 12 seconds
NOTHING AS LONG AS YOU LIVE WILL EVER BE MORE IMPORTANT. IT’S UP TO YOU.
2:59:44
2 hours, 59 minutes, 44 seconds
HAS THE JURY REACHED A VERDICT? YES, WE HAVE, YOUR HONOR. PLEASE HAND THE VERDICT TO THE CLERK.
3:00:00
3 hours
WILL THE DEFENDANT PLEASE RISE? THE CLERK WILL NOW READ THE VERDICT.
3:00:09
3 hours, 9 seconds
“NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA. MARCH 1, 1969.
3:00:15
3 hours, 15 seconds
“WE THE JURY FIND THE DEFENDANT CLAY SHAW NOT GUILTY.” YES, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
3:00:29
3 hours, 29 seconds
CONGRATULATIONS. HELLO, LEANDER. WE’RE GOING TO GO FISHING TOMORROW.
3:00:41
3 hours, 41 seconds
WE BELIEVE IT WAS A CONSPIRACY, BUT WHETHER CLAY SHAW WAS INVOLVED IS ANOTHER KETTLE OF FISH. THERE’S JIM! THERE’S JIM!
3:00:48
3 hours, 48 seconds
MR. GARRISON!
3:00:50
3 hours, 50 seconds
THE AMERICAN MEDIA IS REPORTING THIS AS A FULL VINDICATION OF THE WARREN COMMISSION. DO YOU AGREE?
3:00:56
3 hours, 56 seconds
ALL I THINK IT PROVES IS YOU CANNOT RUN AN INVESTIGATION IN THE LIGHT OF DAY EVEN QUESTIONING THE INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
3:01:05
3 hours, 1 minute, 5 seconds
WE UNDERSTAND THE MORNING PAPER WILL CALL FOR YOUR RESIGNATION, THAT YOU’RE UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE, THAT YOU RUINED CLAY SHAW’S REPUTATION. MR. GARRISON, WILL YOU RESIGN?
3:01:13
3 hours, 1 minute, 13 seconds
HELL, NO. I’M GOING TO RUN AGAIN, AND I’M GOING TO WIN. WHO DO YOU PLAN TO PERSECUTE NEXT?
3:01:19
3 hours, 1 minute, 19 seconds
IF IT TAKES ME 30 YEARS TO NAIL EVERY ASSASSIN, THEN I’LL CONTINUE THIS INVESTIGATION FOR 30 YEARS. I OWE THAT TO JACK KENNEDY AND THE COUNTRY.
3:01:28
3 hours, 1 minute, 28 seconds
HEY! THERE’S CLAY! THERE’S CLAY SHAW! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE ACQUITTED? A BIT EXHAUSTING, I MUST SAY. WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW?
3:01:36
3 hours, 1 minute, 36 seconds
GO HOME AND COOK SOME ETOUFFE. WERE YOU CONFIDENT ABOUT THE OUTCOME? MR. SHAW!
3:01:42
3 hours, 1 minute, 42 seconds
DO YOU THINK GARRISON WILL BE BACK FOR A SECOND ROUND? I’M SURE HE WILL.