JFK Hands Never Go To-Or Toward-His Throat

[Benjamin Cole]

JC-

Years ago I did the math on the drop of a bullet at 300 fps over 70 years, and it wasn't much.

AI version:

At 300 fps, a heavy bullet like a .30-06 drops approximately 8.5 to 9 inches at 70 yards.

So a shot aimed at JFK's head from the TSBD6 would drop down to about where he was struck in the back. Remember, I said an underpowered bullet. Many witnesses describe the first shot as faint, or different in pitch and volume, from succeeding shots.

Maybe LHO hand-packed his first shot, as he seemed rather thin on ammo.

Then there is this:

AI version:

A bullet traveling at 300 fps at 70 yards will likely penetrate about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) into human tissue. Because 300 fps is roughly the speed of an airsoft gun or a highly spent projectile, it generally lacks the energy to shatter bone or reach vital organs.

So, an underpowered hits JFK were it did, but was possibly dis-jarred by the shock wave through his body by the shot at Z-313.

This narrative rests on Paul Landis being accurate in his recollections.

[Steve Barber]

   Which raises the question of why a man shot in the Back, is covering his mouth?

Great point, Royell. Please see my response to Jarrett Smith, below).

[Steve Barber]

Looking at the Altgens photo it appears JFK's mouth is distorted from a shock to his spine and/or nerves.

Hi Jarrett,

Both yourself and Royell Storing have brought up a very good points regarding President Kennedy's mouth.

   Although I have no proof  that this it happened, I have often wondered if President Kennedy gagged once the bullet ripped through his throat, thus he threw his hand up and over his mouth.  He makes two jerking motions as he exits from behind the Stemmons sign.  The first is a very sudden head-nod motion, and the second  looks like a possible gagging/heaving motion.  I made a similar post to this group a few years ago regarding JFK's hands, and one of the people who read the thread pointed out that it looked to him like JFK wipes his mouth off as he's turning his head to his left. Since then, I've wondered myself if he didn't do this, and wondered if JFK could have both gagged on blood in his mouth, and the terrible feeling he must have suffered as the bullet tore through his throat.

The Altgen's photo you've posted here is interesting regarding the unusual position of his mouth. ( Your copy is much clearer than anything I've seen-even blown up).  I thought it looks like his tongue is partially sticking out over his lower lip, and I've always thought the whole area showing him is a bit odd, and I made some graphics splicing his image because in some ways, his head position makes no sense to me, nor does his mouth position. (See the graphic below).  In your copy of Altgens here, it ALMOST looks like blood running  down his chin-which I've never noticed in other copies of Altgens 6.

Thanks for bringing this up regarding JFK's mouth position.

[John Corbett]

JC-

Years ago I did the math on the drop of a bullet at 300 fps over 70 years, and it wasn't much.

AI version:

At 300 fps, a heavy bullet like a .30-06 drops approximately 8.5 to 9 inches at 70 yards.

So a shot aimed at JFK's head from the TSBD6 would drop down to about where he was struck in the back. Remember, I said an underpowered bullet. Many witnesses describe the first shot as faint, or different in pitch and volume, from succeeding shots.

Your math skills are about as bad as your analytical skills.

70 yards is 210 feet. At 300 fps, it would take 0.7 seconds for the bullet to travel 210 feet. Here is how AI calculated the distance the bullet would drop.
 
Distance Fallen in 0.7 Seconds Near Earth’s Surface
For an object in free fall from rest near Earth’s surface, the distance fallen after time

where:

d = distance fallen (meters)

g = acceleration due to gravity ≈ 9.81 m/s²

t = time fallen (seconds) The Physics Classroom+1

Substitute
t = 0.7s:

d = 1/2 × 9.81 × (0.7)squared

d = 4.905 × 0.49

d ≈ 2.40
 
meters
Answer: The object will fall about 2.40 meters in 0.7 seconds, assuming it starts from rest and air resistance is negligible.

Maybe LHO hand-packed his first shot, as he seemed rather thin on ammo.

It doesn't matter why the bullet was underpowered. It wouldn't effect the gravitational drop.

Then there is this:

AI version:

A bullet traveling at 300 fps at 70 yards will likely penetrate about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) into human tissue. Because 300 fps is roughly the speed of an airsoft gun or a highly spent projectile, it generally lacks the energy to shatter bone or reach vital organs.

So, an underpowered hits JFK were it did, but was possibly dis-jarred by the shock wave through his body by the shot at Z-313.

This narrative rests on Paul Landis being accurate in his recollections.

Your narrative rests on accurately calculating the amount of drop. 2.4 meters is roughly 8 feet. A shot falling that far isn't going to come anywhere near JFK.

[Lance Payette]

Maybe LHO hand-packed his first shot, as he seemed rather thin on ammo.

Reloading requires crimping the shell to hold the bullet and setting the primer. It's not something you do by hand. Back in the day, when I had my own Rock-Chucker reloading setup, I was as careful as I could be and still managed to produce an embarrassing number of duds. However, even what I am calling a dud just generally means the bullet tumbles and doesn't spin as it should. For a 30.06 reload of any sort to be traveling 300 FPS sounds highly unlikely.

[Royell Storing]

   The choking issue works both ways. A shot from the Front would also impact the interior of JFK's throat and cause gagging. Blood possibly coming out of the mouth? I'm not aware of anyone at Parkland Hospital or anyone in general reporting seeing blood on the mouth, in the mouth, or on the chin of JFK. And remember that they placed SA Hill's jacket over JFK's head. Those SS agents were getting a a very good look at JFK then. I do think gagging is going on. Like somebody gagging on food stuck in their throat, JFK's gagging could be a bullet lodged in his throat. This mandated the enlarging of the tracheostomy to remove it.

[Lance Payette]

Although I have no proof  that this it happened, I have often wondered if President Kennedy gagged once the bullet ripped through his throat, thus he threw his hand up and over his mouth.  He makes two jerking motions as he exits from behind the Stemmons sign.  The first is a very sudden head-nod motion, and the second  looks like a possible gagging/heaving motion.  I made a similar post to this group a few years ago regarding JFK's hands, and one of the people who read the thread pointed out that it looked to him like JFK wipes his mouth off as he's turning his head to his left. Since then, I've wondered myself if he didn't do this, and wondered if JFK could have both gagged on blood in his mouth, and the terrible feeling he must have suffered as the bullet tore through his throat.

That does not look to me, or apparently to most other medical professionals  , like an intentional series of movements. "I am gagging and am going to wipe the blood off my mouth now." That looks to me like a completely reflexive (i.e., Thorborn-like) reaction to a neurological stimulus.

The analysis of Altgens6 looks suspiciously like pareidolia to me. I'm not convinced we're seeing his mouth at all, let alone in the level of detail being suggested. I brought this up to maximum magnification on my screen and examined it with a magnifying glass, and I was still left saying "Ya got me." I did see Bogus Haygood Imposter there in the corner, however.