JFK Assassination Plus General Discussion & Debate > JFK Assassination Plus General Discussion And Debate
Reasonable Doubts?
Michael T. Griffith:
--- Quote from: Benjamin Cole on June 07, 2026, 03:44:10 AM ---Recently I have been chided for having what I term "reasonable doubts" about the LNT-SBT, especially in connection to Gov. JBC and his Stetson hat.
AI: "Is the Warren Commission position on the possibility of Governor Connally holding onto his hat after being shot through the wrist plausible?"
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The Warren Commission's position on Governor Connally holding his hat after his wrist was shot is widely debated. However, forensic experts, physicians, and critics argue it is highly improbable for him to retain a firm grip, though holding onto the hat by reflex or trapping it as his arm fell is plausibly possible.
The Core Arguments The Injury: Governor Connally sustained a severely comminuted (shattered) fracture to his right radius bone, completely severing the bone and destroying the wrist's structural integrity. Medics noted that the median nerve was also damaged, leading to an instant loss of motor control and strength in his right hand.
The Physics: Holding a rigid cowboy hat (Stetson) firmly in the air requires grip strength and the use of the wrist joint. Once shattered, the hand would typically go limp, causing the hat to fall to the floor of the limousine instantly.
8)The Warren Commission's Stance: The Commission argued that because the bullet was losing velocity as it passed through President Kennedy, Connally’s chest, and his wrist, it retained enough kinetic energy to break the bone, but it did not tear the hand apart. They theorized Connally reflexively maintained the hat in his grasp or that the hat was simply trapped in his hand or lap as he was struck.
Connally's Rebuttal: Governor John Connally himself fundamentally rejected the Warren Commission’s Single Bullet Theory. He testified that he was hit by a separate bullet from President Kennedy and frequently maintained that he immediately dropped his hat after being shot in the wrist, which contradicts the WC's timeline of him holding it later in the Zapruder film.
The most prominent expert who explicitly used the term "highly improbable" regarding the single-bullet theory and its medical trajectory is Dr. Cyril Wecht. He was a highly renowned forensic pathologist, attorney, and former president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Dr. Cyril Wecht's Medical Critique: Dr. Wecht extensively studied the medical evidence and testified before the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA). He vehemently argued against the Warren Commission's timeline using Zapruder film frame 230.
His expert critique regarding the hat specifically centers on the following points:
The Neurological Impossibility: Dr. Wecht noted that the bullet shattered the distal end of Connally's right radius bone (wrist) and partially severed his radial nerve.
Voluntary vs. Involuntary Control: He argued that with a collapsed lung from the chest wound and a shredded wrist nerve, it is medically "incongruous" for Connally to maintain voluntary grip strength to hold up a heavy Stetson cowboy hat for 1.5 seconds after the alleged impact.
The "Highly Improbable" Quote: When summarized during investigative panels and televised CBS/CNN historical reviews, Dr. Wecht noted that while he hesitates to say anything is 100 percent impossible in forensics, the Warren Commission's exact timeline for these combined injuries and movements is "highly improbable".
Other Aligning Medical Voices
While Dr. Wecht is the specific source of that phrasing, other medical professionals expressed similar deep skepticism:
The Parkland Hospital Surgeons: Doctors like Dr. Charles Gregory (who operated on Connally’s wrist) noted that the neurovascular and bone destruction from a high-velocity military round would cause immediate, catastrophic loss of function in the hand.
Independent Forensic Analysts: Over decades, secondary medical critics—such as those featured in Jim Garrison's investigative files and various independent forensic studies—concluded that the hand would immediately go limp, meaning the hat could only remain in the hand if it was involuntarily trapped or wedged against his lap rather than actively held.
---30---
I have reasonable doubts on the ability of Gov. JBC to hold onto his Stetson hat, after being shot through the wrist. If we want to toss out Cyril Wecht as a dedicated CT'er, then we have Dr. Charles Gregory, who actually operated on JBC's wrist.
Gov. JBC is indisputably seen at Z-272 holding onto his Stetson hat. Even the WC assents to that.
Yet, the WC contends Gov. JBC was already shot through the wrist at that point...well, that is highly improbable.
This is one reason I doubt the LNT-SBT narratives.
--- End quote ---
Very good stuff, Ben.
Connally's wrist may well have been hit by the shot to which the Zapruder film shows reactions starting at around Z293. Roy Kellerman, who is sitting next to Greer, is seen to "duck" his head beginning at Z293. His head tips noticeably forward, in an apparent ducking motion. Jean Hill begins to snap her head to the right at around Z295. She is standing to the left of the limousine, across the street from Zapruder. By Z298 we can see she has turned her head and is looking to the rear of the limousine. William Greer, the limousine driver, snaps his head to the rear beginning at Z301. This shot was probably fired at right around Z285.
It is rather odd that anyone would chide you for doubting the SBT, given that we now know that three of the seven members of the WC didn't buy it, and that the WC's best wound ballistics expert, Dr. Joseph Dolce, said the SBT was preposterous.
John Corbett:
--- Quote from: Michael T. Griffith on June 09, 2026, 04:27:04 PM ---Very good stuff, Ben.
Connally's wrist may well have been hit by the shot to which the Zapruder film shows reactions starting at around Z293.
--- End quote ---
So is it your belief that JBC suddenly flipped his right arm upward at Z226 in anticipation of it being struck by a bullet 3.6 seconds later?
John Corbett:
--- Quote from: Michael T. Griffith on June 09, 2026, 04:27:04 PM ---
It is rather odd that anyone would chide you for doubting the SBT, given that we now know that three of the seven members of the WC didn't buy it, and that the WC's best wound ballistics expert, Dr. Joseph Dolce, said the SBT was preposterous.
--- End quote ---
The people who claim the SBT is preposterous rarely want to tell us why it is preposterous. When they attempt to do that, their arguments get shot down like clay pigeons.
Michael T. Griffith:
--- Quote from: John Corbett on June 09, 2026, 04:39:11 PM ---So is it your belief that JBC suddenly flipped his right arm upward at Z226 in anticipation of it being struck by a bullet 3.6 seconds later?
--- End quote ---
This is beyond silly.
--- Quote from: John Corbett on June 09, 2026, 04:39:11 PM ---The people who claim the SBT is preposterous rarely want to tell us why it is preposterous.
--- End quote ---
You have no clue what you're talking about. If you would ever dare yourself to read just some of the scholarly refutations of the SBT, you would quickly discover that they have explained in great detail why the theory is preposterous.
--- Quote from: John Corbett on June 09, 2026, 04:39:11 PM ---When they attempt to do that, their arguments get shot down like clay pigeons.
--- End quote ---
Perhaps in your dreams. BTW, which SBT do you accept? The one that has the bullet entering at C7 or the one that has the bullet entering at T1? The one that has the bullet traveling at a downward angle or the one that has the bullet traveling at a slightly upward angle? The one that has the bullet hitting JFK above the alleged exit point or the one that has the bullet hitting JFK slightly below the exit point? The one that has Connally rotated to the right by 10-15 degrees or the one that has him rotated to the right by 20-30 degrees? The one that has the magic bullet as the first shot or the one that has it as the second shot? The one that has the bullet hitting JFK at Z188-190, or the one that has the bullet hitting JFK at Z221, or the one that has the bullet hitting JFK at Z224? The one that says JFK shows no signs of reacting to the wound until Z226, or the one that says he is already reacting in Z225, or the one that says he begins to react at Z200?
Just for once, do a modicum of balanced research and educate yourself:
The Shifting Sands of the Single-Bullet Theory
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MOKXTpq1hC5UHrF-JanDjQvzk2q0HvRF/view
JFK's Clothing Proves the Single-Bullet Theory Is Impossible
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MAgWA0frOLVeWY6ok9nzdrgpRN4Wv1AL/view?usp=sharing
Ten Reasons I Reject the Single-Bullet Theory
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-7AW56BXCumXFsOwyN6lE0WTBltOzeYI/view
Zeon Mason:
I’m in agreement with the LNs that the coincidence of the in sync movements of JFK and JC from Z224-Z230 are due to one bullet going thru both men.
I’m just not on board with that bullet being CE 399.
I’m in agreement with LNs that there was probably just the one shooter in the TSBD 6th floor who fired 3 shots.
I’m just not on board that the rifle was the MC rifle found on the 6th floor because of Harold Norman’s 4 sec spacing for all 3 shots fired as per his boom click click demonstration. A bolt action rifle fired , then ejecting shells and then shells hitting the ground would be a more elaborate set of sounds such as
Boom, ( rifle firing ) clack clack ,(bolt operation) clink clink. ( sound of shells bouncing on the hard wooden plank/ plywood floor)
I’m not sure about JC’s wrist wound being caused by the Z224 shot. JC raising his right hand up clutching the hat could be just as well reaction to the bullet going ONLY thru his chest and into his thigh. The bullet might have missed his wrist depending where JC is holding his hat with his right hand at that moment.
What’s the probability of a fragment from the Z313 shot hitting JCs wrist while he was leaning back into Mrs C lap?
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