I’ve often wondered what would happen if Oswald had gone to trial.
There was a police officer just outside the Book Depository. He rushed in and met the building manager. The officer insists he and the manager saw Oswald in the breakroom. That would be a problem for the prosecution.
I still think Oswald did it. But preparing for trial would be challenging. Nothing a good prosecutor couldn’t over come.
I don’t really see it as a problem.
The officer (M.L. Baker) was a motorcycle cop riding in the parade. When he heard the shots, he (correctly) surmised that they came from the Depository building, although he mistakenly believed the shooter had been on the roof.
So he ran into the building and demanded the location of the stairs. The manager (Roy Truly) came forward and suggested they take the elevator.
They went to the elevator and tried to call it, but when they realized it wasn’t coming they went to the stairwell.
It was while on the second floor that Baker saw a person walking away from the stairwell towards the lunchroom. He stopped the person (who was Oswald), but left him alone when Truly identified him as an employee.
If you consider the delay that occurred while they awaited the elevator, it is eminently reasonable to conclude that Oswald had time to descend four flights of stairs.
(And if you consider the possibility that Baker had to wade through a crowd of people in order to get inside, there is even more time for Oswald to leave the sniper’s nest).
I think the identification of Oswald actually helps the prosecution, for two reasons: One, Officer Baker’s actions reflect his correct belief that the shooter was inside that building. Two, his observations confirm that Oswald was indeed inside the building (and not outside watching the parade, or having already left the location).
He did (with caveats). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIxScG3G9yc
I believe it was originally produced by Showtime in about 1986, and the trial was of course non-binding. But, it was held with a real judge, real lawyers (Gerry Spence for the defense, Vincent Bugliosi for the prosecution), and the original witnesses. Pretty fascinating stuff.
I wonder if exhuming Kennedy’s remains would shed any light on the matter. Of course, it won’t happen anytime soon (another 50 years minimum?). But there is precedent: Zachary Taylor’s body was exhumed in 1991.
By the way, I’m firmly in the no-conspiracy-because-Oswald-did-it-alone camp. The evidence is just too overwhelming.
My belief is that this show is an elaborate genius parody, ala Spinal Tap. I hope the final episode goes to 11.
Why do we know the CIA didn’t assassinate JFK? He’s dead, isn’t he? Joke used a couple times in American Gods.
Is he??