JFK Hands Never Go To-Or Toward-His Throat

[Steve Barber]

Here are three crucial Zapruder film frames that dispel the theory that President Kennedy "grabs","grabbed" or "clutched his throat".

Note that his right hand immediately jerks upward, and either in front of his mouth or over it.  His upper body is also thrust forward, twice as his right hand appears to cover his mouth.
 
Note that, except for the forefinger on his left hand, his fingers are curled, and is either against the under side of his right hand, or just below it.  Neither hand goes toward his throat, or anywhere near it. 

Also note in frame 248, JFK's right hand is at cheek level.  He has turned his head slightly to his left, while his hand is still at the same level it was in over/in front of his mouth.

[Michael T. Griffith]

Here are three crucial Zapruder film frames that dispel the theory that President Kennedy "grabs" ,"grabbed" or "clutched his throat".

Note that his right hand immediately jerks upward, and either in front of his mouth, or over it.  His upper body is also thrust forward, twice-one after the other- as his right hand meets his mouth.
 
Note that, except for the forefinger on his left hand, his fingers are curled under, and is either against the under side of his right hand or just below it.  Neither hand goes toward his throat, or anywhere near it. Also note in frame 248, JFK's right hand is at cheek level.  He has turned his head slightly to his left, while his hand is still at the same level it was in over/in front of his mouth.

This really doesn't make much of a difference either way, but I agree that this is what the film shows. For a time, his hands are moving toward and then reach the level of his throat, but then they continue to move upward and end up at his mouth.

It is not inaccurate to say that at first his hands are moving toward the level of his throat, but it is inaccurate to say that he grabs or clutches his throat.

[Steve Barber]

This really doesn't make much of a difference either way, but I agree that this is what the film shows. For a time, his hands are moving toward and then reach the level of his throat, but then they continue to move upward and end up at his mouth.

It makes a great deal of difference in my opinion.  People have been misinterpreting what President Kennedy is doing when he's struck by the first shot for years, and not only with the first bullet to strike him, but the fatal shot as well.  This is not something people should be doing when describing what happens in the film. 

It is not inaccurate to say that at first his hands are moving toward the level of his throat, but it is inaccurate to say that he grabs or clutches his throat.

I believe it is inaccurate to say that his hands are moving toward the level of his throat, to a great degree. They quickly pass his throat on the way to where they stopped-but there is absolutely no hesitation or indication of JFK's hands going anywhere but where they ended up.  The film clearly shows this when played at regular speed. 

[John Corbett]

This is one of the reasons I dismiss Nellie Connally's account of the assassination. In her version, JFK clutched his throat. I'll cut her some slack. Under the circumstances, it's perfectly understandable why she would be so bewildered about what was happening inside the car.

[Royell Storing]

Here are three crucial Zapruder film frames that dispel the theory that President Kennedy "grabs","grabbed" or "clutched his throat".

Note that his right hand immediately jerks upward, and either in front of his mouth or over it.  His upper body is also thrust forward, twice as his right hand appears to cover his mouth.
 
Note that, except for the forefinger on his left hand, his fingers are curled, and is either against the under side of his right hand, or just below it.  Neither hand goes toward his throat, or anywhere near it. 

Also note in frame 248, JFK's right hand is at cheek level.  He has turned his head slightly to his left, while his hand is still at the same level it was in over/in front of his mouth.

    Another misnomer that is routinely accepted as being true, is the distance between JFK and Jackie. People routinely claim that Jackie was extremely close to JFK and that a (R) front shot would have struck here too. As can be seen above, there was plenty of space between JFK and Jackie. Same goes for the Z Frames leading up to 313. I think people viewing the Z Film get subconsciously caught up in 313 being almost directly in front of Zapruder and then believe the 313 fired shot was fired from that same angle. Not true.

[Lance Payette]

What is being suggested - that this is just the Thorburn reflex from a bullet hitting the cervical spine?

[Steve Barber]

What is being suggested - that this is just the Thorburn reflex from a bullet hitting the cervical spine?

I'm not suggesting anything. 

I am pointing out that President Kennedy never touched his throat like just about everyone claims when they mention his reaction to the first shot.  Clearly, he never went for his throat.  Ever.  His right hand and arm jerk upward, his hand is open, giving the appearance that his hand is covering his mouth, while his arm is splayed upward and folded at the elbow.
 
Too many people watch the Zapruder film at slower than normal speed because too many people post the Zapruder film onto YouTube at a speed slower than 18.3 frames per second and overlook how fast his right comes up in front of his face to mouth level. The left hand is clearly not touching his throat either. as can clearly be seen.