No, no preset. As Dan Rather demonstrated in the video Duncan posted, a protrusion above the shoulder isn't screamingly obvious. Moreover, yours truly tends to think the protrusion was at the bottom. It's quite easy to mistakenly not see something or misinterpret what you're seeing. Eyewitnesses do it all the time. Again, we have to fit this supposed observation into the totality of what occurred. It is not reasonable to allow Frazier's observation to drive the epistemological bus. This was precisely the point of my 2021 Ford Bronco example. It's POSSIBLE Frazier didn't make a mistake and the package didn't contain the disassembled rifle, but this is not the most PLAUSIBLE or REASONABLE conclusion. That's not my "preset" but the conclusion of a vast number of folks who have investigated the case. If you want to insist it wasn't the rifle, you need at least a reasonably plausible alternative explanation of all the facts and circumstances as set forth in my original post.
Rather doesn't say what size his "
exact" Carcano is.
Frazier is very clear how it was held and sure it was palmed at the base - it should then extend to the ear.
Mr. FRAZIER - I said from where I noticed he had it cupped in his hands. And I don't see how you could have it anywhere other than under your armpit,
because if you had it cupped in your hand it would stick over it.
Mr. BALL - Could he have carried it this way?
Mr. FRAZIER - No, sir. Never in front here. Like that. Now, that is what I was talking to you about.
No, I say he couldn't because if he had you would have seen the package sticking up like that.
From what I seen walking behind he had it under his arm and you couldn't tell that he had a package from the back.
Mr. BALL - When you cupped the bottom of your package in the hands, will you stand up, again, please, and the upper part
of the package is not under the armpit, the top of the package extends almost up to the level of your ear.
Mr. FRAZIER - Right.
