Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Intro Mike and Luke Haag drive into rifle range NARR: In the New Mexico desert, a homicide investigation begins. Set up gear; lay out guns and bullets NARR: The crime is a fifty- year old case; the murder weapon, a rifle. 2161012 (00:01:00) Luke Haag: got another rifle yet that s missing #2161012, 00:02:01 - - Mike: I would say 8-12, maybe even 14 different experiments that we re working on NARR: The homicide is a cold case that has never really gone cold: the assassination (murder???) of John Kennedy. Fast MONTAGE of assassination Jim Lehrer #2161022 (00:25:35) Oh my god, is he really dead? Oh my god, I mean who did this? NARR: Within hours, a suspect is arrested: Lee Harvey Oswald. NARR: But two days later, he himself is murdered on national television. John McAdams #2161026 (03:41:41) That was really the origin of a lot of conspiracy thinking. Jefferson Morley #2161029 (06:29:09) If the assassin has been killed, somebody s trying to silence him. Warren Report: Oswald acted alone. NARR: In 1964, the Warren Commission s report concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald fired three shots that he was the lone assassin and there was no conspiracy. House Select Committee Report: probably as a result of a conspiracy.
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 2 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 NARR: Yet fifteen years later, a second Congressional investigation finds there were four shots and two shooters - - there was a conspiracy. Robert Blakey #2161021, (01:51:11) A fourth shot occurs from the grassy knoll. // (02:00:46) If there's two shooters in the Plaza, there's probably a conspiracy. NARR: No conspiracy has ever been proven. Yet today, millions of Americans continue to believe there was one. NARR: Now, Nova asks, could more sophisticated forensic science provide new insights and uncover the truth about JFK s murder? Intro Luke & Mike Haag TRANSITION to Haags NARR: These men believe it can. For two years, they ve been working to reconstruct the Kennedy shooting. They re convinced that ballistics is the key to cracking the case. Luke: Fifty- nine point five. Luke Haag #2161013, 05:24:24) the JFK case is // the classic shooting reconstruction case // (05:25:20) It s probably the most historic case in the last century. NARR: Luke Haag has been a forensic scientist for 47 years. His specialty is firearms. Luke & Mike go back and forth, setting the target to correct distance Luke: Fifty point five. NARR: Working with Luke Haag is another experienced ballistics expert, who also happens to be Luke s son Michael Haag. Mike teaching class in Ohio: Let s go ahead and do one of the vertical angle shots. We ve got a nice area of the barrel right here that s cylindrical Mike Haag [2161005, 09:44:10] My Dad is in this business and I grew up even in grade school going out and helping him with case work and research involving firearms. NARR: Michael Haag is an investigator with the Albuquerque Crime Lab. He also teaches shooting reconstruction all over the world.
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 3 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 Michael Haag (2161005, 09:44:25) I've done the classes in as far away as Switzerland, in the U.K., all over Canada, the United States. Michael Haag #2161005, (09:42:32.07) This part of the class // We're looking at multiple different calibers of types of bullets going into, in this case, cars. Michael Haag [2161005, 09:45:17] The Kennedy assassination is unfortunately not as easy in a way. JFK Controversies MONTAGE: JFK assassination, investigation, physical evidence, & select lines of text from Warren & HSCA Reports NARR: It might seem that reconstructing the Kennedy shooting, which happened in broad daylight, should be straightforward. Motorcade shots from Press Car huge crowds Josiah Thompson Card 1 (14:21:21) There were hundreds of spectators there. (14:21:23) some 30 people taking photographs. (14:21:28) over 50 law enforcement people in Dealey Plaza. You would think it would be the easiest case in the world. Zapruder Film NARR: Among the witnesses is a dressmaker with an 8mm movie camera: Abraham Zapruder. Standing on a concrete pedestal, he shoots 26 seconds that have become the most studied home movie in history. Josiah Thompson Card 1 (14:52:03) Not only did he pick the perfect place, but // He keeps the limo right in frame thru the whole thing, as shots are fired, bullets are flying, people are hitting the ground all around him, doesn t faze him. (14:52:33) He // gets this unparalleled record of the shooting. Stephen Fagin #2161010 (05:17:21) ultimately the film ends up in the hands of the Secret Service and it becomes the crucial piece of visual evidence in the assassination investigation. NARR: Yet despite the evidence of the Zapruder film, and the hundreds of eyewitnesses, the JFK case continues to fuel speculation and debate.
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 4 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 Robert Blakey (#2161021, 01:13:30) the Kennedy assassination is a lot like a Rorschach test. If you look at the evidence, the test, and you give me a statement about the assassination, it really tells me more about you than it does about // (02:23:49) about what happened. Stephen Fagin [2161010, (04:44:28) Everything // about the assassination which points to Lee Harvey Oswald, I can share with you an alternative explanation which speaks to the possibility of a conspiracy. Sea of books and videos falling into frame Luke Haag #2161013 (05:26:34) the controversies that swirl and develop I think there s over a thousand books and articles. // not a single one of them, to my knowledge, is written by someone who deals with shooting and shooting reconstructions. Haag s with gun & bullets AERIALS of Dealey Plaza MATCH AERIAL to Archival b&w Aerial NARR: So now Luke and Michael Haag are focusing on the gun, bullets, and crime scene to try and reconstruct one of the most notorious crimes of the 20 th century. NARR: It happened in Dallas on November 22, 1963 a Friday. Transition to History Luke Haag #2161013 (05:26:06) I remember where I was, I was with my future wife, coming out of a music class John McAdams (#2161026, 03:38:51) in high school typing class. A fellow who was on staff at the high school came in and said, They ve shot Kennedy Jeff Morley (#2161028, 05:18:39) I was in kindergarten // and I remember my teacher burst into the room crying Josiah Thompson #2161035 (14:39:15) A woman ran out of the record store near the corner and said The president s been shot. I didn t believe it. Robert Blakey [#2161021, 01:00:59) I was with Bobby Kennedy the day of the assassination. In a meeting and we broke for lunch
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 5 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 Jim Lehrer (#2161022, 00:08:50) I was at Love Field // (00:08:59) And I immed- - after I got to the City Desk, I called home to talk to my wife, and I said to her, Let s get out of this place! Clint Hill #2161001 (01:49:32) I was on the left running board of the follow up car immediately behind the presidential vehicle Scene: November 22, Recap the Shooting Scene: the actual shooting We break it down moment- by- moment, through Clint Hills perspective Clint Hill #2161001 (01:49:05.14] We turn left on Elm, a very sharp turn. // (01:48:07) and there was a sign that said Texas School Book Depository. (01:48:16) // (01:49:46) All of a sudden I heard an explosive noise over my right shoulder. // [01:50:09.04] And I saw the president // grabbed at his throat // And I knew something was wrong. Presidential limo emerges from sign Kennedy is clutching his throat Clint Hill leaps off car and sprints for President Clint Hill #2161001 (01:51:26) I jumped off the running board of the follow up car. And ran toward the presidential vehicle // (01:51:44) As I was running they tell me there was another shot; I didn't hear it. Clint Hill #2161001 (01:51:49) Just as I was approaching the President's car there was a third shot. It hit the President in the head. And then it exploded out the right side of his head. Head shot Clint Hill #2161001 (01:52:09) blood and brain matter and bone fragments // (01:56:21) sprayed out across the people in the car, myself, and uh, Mrs. Kennedy. Clint Hill leaps onto limo; Jackie scrambles out onto trunk Clint Hill #2161001 (01:52:39) Pulled myself up on the rear of the car and // Mrs. Kennedy came out on the trunk. (02:01:03) she didn't even know I was there. She wasn't reaching for me. She was reaching for something that came off the president's head.
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 6 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 Clint Hill #2161001 (01:52:57) I grabbed her and I put her in the back seat. // (01:53:29) And I screamed at the driver to get us to a hospital. Limo racing for hospital Clint Hill sprawled across the trunk NARR: At eighty miles an hour, with Clint Hill sprawled across the trunk, they head for Parkland Hospital. Clint Hill #2161001 (02:04:22) the President's head was in Mrs. Kennedy's lap. And she wouldn't let go. // she didn't want anybody to see the condition he was in because it was horrible. And so I took off my suit coat. I covered up his head and his upper back and when I did that she let go. // And we rushed him into the emergency room. John McAdams #2161026 (02:39:47) The Dallas doctors try to save him. But // (03:10:12) it was a hopeless case, there was simply no possibility, he'd lost too much brain matter. NARR: Texas Governor John Connally is also wounded; he will recover. STILL: Robert Kennedy on phone NARR: As doctors abandon hope for Kennedy, Clint Hill is on the phone with Attorney General Robert Kennedy. Clint Hill #2161001 (02:07:35) He said, "Well, how bad is it?" Apparently thinking that it probably wasn't too bad. That really got me because I didn't want to tell him that his brother was dead. So I thought a second and I said, "Well, it's as bad as it can get." // And that's how he found out his brother had been killed. Scene: Carcano Rifle & Guns 101 NARR: Back at the crime scene, witnesses point to a building on the corner of Elm Street. John McAdams #2161026 (02:45:30) Several witnesses actually saw a gun or a shooter in the window of the Texas School Book depository. NARR: As police search the building, a TV news cameraman shoots this footage. Tom Alyea footage of Dallas police searching Sixth Floor
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 7 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 Stephen Fagin [2161010, 04:22:03) Deputy Sherriff Luke Mooney, within about forty- five minutes of the shooting discovered uh, three empty rifle cartridges. STILL of 3 cartridge cases on 6 th floor NARR: The fired cartridge cases are the first physical evidence. They can be tested and linked to a specific gun. ANIMATION: cartridge case, bullet, gunpowder, and primer NARR: The cartridge case holds the bullet, gunpowder, and a primer. When the firing pin strikes the primer, it acts like a spark plug, igniting the powder, which accelerates the bullet through the barrel. SLO- MO Go- Pro: Mike Haag fires & ejects used cartridge cases NARR: After the bullet leaves, the empty cartridge case is ejected from the gun so the next cartridge can be loaded. ECUs of markings under microscope SEE 1981 AFTE Report for examples (on pp 25, 29, 32) NARR: The process of loading, firing, and ejecting marks the cartridge case with tiny scratches and gouges that can be seen under a microscope. These markings can match the empty cases to the gun that fired them. Stephen Fagin [2161010, 04:22:33) And it was only about ten minutes later that // the rifle location was found // (04:22:44) a Mannlicher- Carcano wedged between two stacks of boxes. Cops finding Carcano rifle, dusting it for prints, STILLS of rifle NARR: The Mannlicher- Carcano, or Carcano, is an Italian rifle made during World War II. The serial number shows this gun was purchased from Klein s Sporting Goods in Chicago by Lee Harvey Oswald. NARR: The Carcano is a military gun that shoots military ammunition something that might be popular with gun collectors, but is almost never seen by homicide detectives. Luke Haag (#2161013, 05:42:37) In the United States, shootings then, shootings now, don t involve military, high velocity rifles with hard military bullets. // (05:27:08) Robert Frazier, the FBI examiner, in his testimony said he d never seen a 6.5 Carcano. They had no ammunition for this kind of gun in their reference collection. This is the FBI!
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 8 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 NARR: Might this highly unusual rifle have characteristics that can shed light on the Kennedy case? Luke and Michael Haag acquire one of these rifles for testing. Luke Haag (#2161012, 00:35:43) This is the 6.5 mm Carcano // (00:24:57) Car- cano is the proper pronunciation, though most Americans say Car- cano. Luke Haag (#2161012, 00:35:50) It s a mechanically operated bolt action rifle. It has an offset inexpensive telescopic sight. NARR: It s clear that for anyone planning an assassination, the Klein s ad offered far better guns. A rifle with a much easier lever action Klein ad: Marlin rifle Mike firing lever- action gun NARR: An American military gun that could shoot eight bullets without stopping Klein ad: M- 1 Garand Mike firing Garand NARR: And a small, lightweight carbine that could fire 30 rounds as fast as the shooter could pull the trigger. Klein ad: M- 1 Carbine Mike firing carbine fast NARR: By comparison, the bolt- action Carcano is slow and clumsy. Mike firing Carcano, bullet jams NARR: So why would any assassin choose the Carcano? Klein s ad prices Luke Haag (#2161012, 00:33:10) It s a matter of price. This was basically a little less than 13 dollars for the rifle, and a little more than 7 dollars for the scope. // (00:33:30) And as far as the awkwardness of it practice. Mike test fires Carcano; Luke & Mike check the target NARR: As they test the Carcano, Luke Haag quickly discovers the bullet may be even more unusual than the rifle itself. ANIMATION: anatomy of a bullet lead core and copper cladding
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 9 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 NARR: Unlike civilian bullets, it s made with a full metal jacket - - a hard copper shell that surrounds a soft lead core. Luke Haag #2161013, (05:47:31) Here are four typical military bullets from the first and second World War. // (05:47:45) They re all full metal jacketed bullets. ARCHIVAL: Dallas cops with Oswald rifle, STILLS of rifle, etc NARR: They re also tapered with a sharp point. The Carcano has no taper or point it s a unique shape among military bullets. Luke with various bullets Luke Haag (#2161013, (05:47:55) Look at the Carcano; // (05:51:31) This bullet is basically a cylinder. ANIMATION: - pointed bullet showing NARROW AREA of CONTACT - bullet travels through barrel; rifling grooves cause it to spin, but it WOBBLES NARR: The cylindrical shape, with straight sides and no taper or sharp point, affects how the bullet interacts with the rifling - - spiral ridges in the wall of the barrel that spin the bullet for stability. Pointed bullets have much less surface area contacting the barrel, so they tend to be less stable as they exit the gun. Luke Haag (#2161013, (05:59:41) They re // only // (05:50:36) gripped by the gun barrel back at the very end of the bullet. This allows the rest of the bullet to do just a little bit of wiggle as it s going up the barrel and as it emerges from the barrel. ANIMATION: - cylindrical Carcano bullet showing BROAD AREA of CONTACT (almost entire length of bullet) - Carcano bullet travels through barrel; NO WOBBLE Luke Haag (#2161013, (05:51:07) The Carcano bullet, // (05:51:36) the rifling begins grabbing it clear up here at the nose. That s, that s uncommon. I ve never seen any other, even other 6.5 rifles that do this. Scene: November 24, Oswald Murder TRANSITION: rifle beauty shots
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 10 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 NARR: Are the distinctive Carcano rifle and bullet key to understanding the Kennedy case? In 1963, little was known about this gun and its unique ammunition. NARR: But within hours of Kennedy s death, Dallas police have the rifle, and they ve arrested the man who owns it Lee Harvey Oswald. NARR: As word gets out that there s been an arrest, reporters swarm in; Dallas Police Headquarters quickly becomes a madhouse. NARR: Now that they have a suspect, the cops have a new problem: public relations. Stephen Fagin [#2161010, (04:40:22) The Dallas leadership was very concerned about the city's image in the immediate aftermath of the assassination. John McAdams #2161026 (03:42:33) They were particularly concerned that someone might believe that they were somehow abusing Oswald, and the way they responded to that was to make Oswald visible. It was what today we'd call transparency. NARR: With the entire world watching, Dallas homicide cops keep working the biggest case of their lives. Luke Haag #2161013, (06:27:26) they had recovered the firearm, cartridge cases, Oswald s fingerprints // (06:28:13) They had the case sewed up in an excellent way within two days of the incident // I give them high marks. Dallas Cop #1 SYNC: Physical evidence is the main thing we re relying on Dallas Cop #2 SYNC: I figure we have sufficient evidence to convict him John McAdams #2161026 (03:01:25) Mostly the police work was pretty good // (03:03:25) The key evidence, essentially all of it would have been admissible at trial. NARR: Police are also learning more about Lee Harvey Oswald. An ex- Marine with a security clearance, he s a Communist who lived more than two years in the Soviet Union, raising the terrifying question of Russian involvement. Jim Lehrer #2161022 (00:38:55) Was he put up to this by the Russians? // (00:45:46) As a nation we would have to take retribution. We would have to fire back if they killed our President. Oswald Murder
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 11 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 NARR: Sunday morning, less than 48 hours since Kennedy s death, Dallas police start transferring Oswald to County jail again, keeping him visible. Basement of Dallas Police HQ: Oswald being led through hallway Oswald emerges and suddenly is shot NARR: On live television, Oswald is shot and killed by Jack Ruby a strip club owner with a long arrest record. Josiah Thompson #2161035 (14:44:17) an assassination that came out of nowhere, that had no explanation, now gets weirder and weirder. NARR: Now there will be no trial, no answers to the questions: did Oswald kill Kennedy? Did he have help? Did Jack Ruby silence him to protect others? Jefferson Morley #2161029 (06:27:15) Pollsters go into the field and, // (06:27:21) And within a week 60% of respondents are saying more than one person was responsible. Jim Lehrer #2161022 (00:52:52) There is no question that Ruby killing Oswald raised big time the possibility of a conspiracy. John McAdams #2161027 (03:47:45) Policy makers were very, very sensitive to talk about a Communist conspiracy, because it had very important and very dangerous foreign policy implications. Katzenbach memo (Deputy Attorney General of the US, 1962-1965) NARR: Concerned by talk of a Communist conspiracy, Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach wants the public satisfied that Oswald was the lone assassin. Line 33: a Communist conspiracy Line 29: Oswald was the assassin did not have confederates Jefferson Morley #2161028 (05:28:33) The president's been dead for two days, // and the White House has already said "Here's what our conclusion is going to be. // (05:29:03) It strains credulity that they could come up with the complete explanation before there had been an investigation. Warren Commission
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 12 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 NARR: Five days later, President Johnson announces a commission headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren will investigate. Robert Blakey #2161021, We re looking at it now as if all they had to do was just fact- finding not true. (01:32:38) The need that led to the Warren Commission was not to find out what happened, but to assure the American people what didn't happen. NARR: The Warren Commission will spend ten months investigating. But before they even start, some of the most critical evidence in the crime of the century has been lost forever. Leaving Dallas and Autopsy Setup NARR: The problem begins at Parkland Hospital when John Kennedy is pronounced dead. Dr. Earl Rose, Dallas County Medical Examiner, is required by law to perform an autopsy. Clint Hill #2161001 (02:11:06) Well, that was not what we wanted to hear. // (02:13:46) We were going to take the president's body back to Washington. John McAdams #2161026 (03:20:42) it doesn't exactly come to blows, but there's almost the implicit threat that the Secret Service people will pull their guns if they have to. Clint Hill #2161001 (02:13:46) In the end they accepted the fact that that's what was going to happen and did happen. NARR: They take the body to Air Force One. Photos of loading casket at Love Field: Clint Hill #2161001 (02:21:23] We, the agents who brought the president there to Dallas, you know, alive, vital, energetic and now we're carrying his body in a casket up there to the rear of Air Force One in the presence of his now widow uh, it was very traumatic. Quite emotional. Jim Lehrer #2161022 (00:32:22) those Secret Service guys were just beside themselves. You know, trying their best to be cool and calm and professional // (00:32:38) to lose a president, good god. There s nothing worse for a Secret Service agent. NARR: Then, when it seems like nothing else could go wrong, something does.
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 13 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 Clint Hill #2161001 (02:19:20) With the handles on, the casket was too wide to go through the doorway. NARR: As Jacqueline Kennedy waits, they break off the handles. NARR: Returning to Washington, again the subject of autopsy is raised. Josiah Thompson #2161035 In a murder case there is no area of evidence more important than the autopsy. // (15:14:32) In a bullet murder you can infer the trajectory of the bullet, // So the autopsy in the Kennedy assassination is absolutely critical. // (15:14:18) In a murder case there is no area of evidence more important than the autopsy. // (15:14:32) In a bullet murder you can infer the trajectory of the bullet, // So the autopsy in the Kennedy assassination is absolutely critical. NARR: But the autopsy decision is made by the wrong people for the wrong reasons. John McAdams #2161026 (03:22:52) the whole Kennedy entourage does not understand the distinction between just an autopsy and a forensic autopsy. // (03:23:25) Kennedy was a navy man, so the autopsy's gonna be done at Bethesda Naval Hospital, // (03:23:42) A couple of ordinary hospital pathologists // are assigned to do the autopsy. CU ON NAMES AT BOTTOM: J. J. HUMES J THORNTON BOSWELL Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:16:45) Meanwhile nobody asks whether James Humes and J Thornton Boswell, the two hospital pathologists, are in any way qualified to do this autopsy. They weren t. They were completely over their heads. NARR: Friday evening, roughly six hours after his death, Kennedy s autopsy begins. FBI agents are present, taking notes. FBI Autopsy Report by Agents Sibert & O Neill: Cover page (11/26/63): NARR: They begin with X- rays, which reveal a bullet path through the brain. Numerous metal particles indicate that the bullet fragmented inside Kennedy s head. p.5, next- to- last para, line 2: X- Rays of the brain Line 3-4: path of a missile Line 5: disintegrated fragments Last para: 40 particles and fragmented while passing through the skull
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 14 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 p. 6, para 1, line 2: two fragments of metal were removed NARR: It s also clear that Kennedy had a tracheostomy in the ER to insert a breathing tube. Photo: throat incision p. 5, paragraph 5: tracheotomy had been performed NARR: But the doctors don t realize there was a wound there as well. John McAdams #2161026 (03:27:34) They did not know that the tracheostomy, which they saw, had obscured a wound in the throat. NARR: Then they find a bullet hole in his back which quickly becomes a problem. p. 6, 2 nd paragraph: appeared to be a bullet hole. p. 6, 4 th paragraph: at a loss to explain John McAdams #2161026 (03:28:09) they had what was clearly an entrance wound in the back. // and they couldn't account for the bullet. Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:21:11) The doctors are in a quandary because they got a bullet hole in Kennedy s back, they did total body x- rays, there s no bullet in the body. John McAdams #2161026 (03:29:25) so if a bullet hit Kennedy in the back, where did it go? p. 6, 4 th paragraph: they could find no bullets. NARR: Then, a phone call reveals a bullet has been found on a stretcher at Parkland Hospital. p. 6, paragraph 5: found on a stretcher p. 6, last paragraph: accounted for no bullet being located Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:21:41) at which the doctors rejoice. (15:21:43) Now we have a solution to the problem of the missing bullet. It undoubtedly fell out of the back wound during closed chest cardiac massage. p. 7, 3 rd paragraph: worked its way out of the body during external cardiac massage
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 15 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 NARR: With that, they conclude the autopsy and the body is taken to lie in state. But overnight, reporters learn more about what happened in the ER at Parkland Hospital. Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:18:10) The next morning they opened their Washington Post and learned that the tracheostomy incision they had observed actually covered up an existing bullet wound. It s the first time they learned that, at that point the body s gone. Autopsy Report Para 2: According to newspaper reports para 2: two perforating gunshot wounds para 2: from a point behind and somewhat above NARR: With the body gone, now realizing JFK had a wound they never even saw, they write their official report. Kennedy was hit by two shots, fired from behind and above. Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:18:40) the Washington Post gave them the skeletal official story. // (15:18:53) And basically they formed their autopsy to match that narrative. John McAdams #2161026 (03:24:17) the bottom line is, Kennedy did not have the kind of autopsy he should have had. TV MONTAGE: mourners paying respects JFK funeral NARR: The autopsy is a missed opportunity that will haunt this case forever. NARR: But there is another body of evidence still to be dissected one that allows the murder to be analyzed a fraction of a second at a time Abraham Zapruder s home movie. Zapruder Analysis NARR: By Saturday morning, Zapruder has sold the film to Time- Life. The Secret Service, FBI, and Warren Commission will also get copies. NARR: Testing Zapruder s camera, the FBI learns it runs at about 18 frames per second.
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 16 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:41:38) the Zapruder film chops time up into 18 ths of a second. So you have snapshots every 18 th of a second. NARR: Consistent with the three found cartridge cases, the majority of witnesses heard three shots. Now, investigators hope to use the film to establish a timeline. NARR: Most agree the fatal head wound was the third and final shot Zapruder frame #313. The earliest sign of trouble is at frame 225, when the car emerges from behind the sign. John McAdams #2161027 (04:00:44) Kennedy has clearly been hit when he exits from behind the Stemmons Freeway sign, at Zapruder frame 225. (04:00:52) Connally's not showing obvious pain until the 235, six, seven range. NARR: Rewinding to before the sign, at frame 210, neither man appears hit. So clearly both are shot somewhere between 210 and 240 a timespan of 30 frames or less. Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:42:40) So you got 30 Zapruder frames, that s all you ve got. // (15:43:15) And you ve got two, two guys to wound. (15:43:18) NARR: 30 frames is 1.6 seconds. Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:42:46) But now, whoops, the FBI tested the rifle, it can t be fired that fast. It can only, you need 2.3 seconds to fire it twice. John McAdams #2161027 (04:01:34) There's not enough time for a single gunman to fire two shots during that timeframe. (04:01:42) NARR: So, if a single gunman could not wound both men during that 30- frame interval, there must have been two shooters a conspiracy. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (05:26:37) then if that were true, you had a hell of a problem. // (05:27:25) it was much more convenient to have one man, one lone nut, was responsible. NARR: To explain how one shooter could wound both men in 1.6 seconds, Arlen Spector, a lawyer for the Warren Commission, concludes Kennedy and Connally were shot by the same bullet. Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:37:28) the Single Bullet Theory an enormous Achilles heel in the whole Warren Commission reconstruction. Background: Single Bullet Theory
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 17 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 742 743 744 745 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 756 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 John McAdams (#2161027, 03:59:30) The theory says a bullet hit Kennedy in the back, exited his throat, went on to hit Connally, exited the chest, hit Connally in the wrist breaking the radius bone, and then buried itself very shallowly in his left thigh. John McAdams (#2161027, 04:00:09) The single bullet theory has traditionally been the single most controversial thing that the Warren Commission came up with. It s widely ridiculed by conspiracists. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (06:05:54) One of the most important people who didn t believe the single bullet theory was Governor Connally. NARR: Connally and his wife Nellie disagree with the theory s timing. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (06:06:11) Connally said // (06:06:42) The first bullet hit Kennedy and the second bullet hit me. // (06:06:56) And his wife Nellie // said the same thing. Zapruder 235-240 for Connally s reaction NARR: In the film, Connally does appear to react later than Kennedy, as if they were not hit by the same shot. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (06:06:33) for the single bullet theory to be true, Governor Connally had to be wrong. (06:06:39) And Connally was completely unequivocal. // (06:06:51) That is not what happened. And Connally was an experienced hunter. He was a man who knew his way around a gun. NARR: Skeptics also point to the condition of the bullet found on Connally s stretcher. Jefferson Morley (#2161028, 06:04:52) That bullet was almost pristine. And that s what s called the magic bullet. Warren Exhibit #399: the stretcher bullet NARR: This is the Carcano bullet the Warren Commission said caused seven separate wounds in Kennedy and Connally. John McAdams #2161027 (04:08:25) people who see the supposed single bullet // will look at it and say, it couldn't possibly have inflicted seven wounds, because it ought to be more damaged than that. Jefferson Morley (#2161028, 06:04:57) So the bullet that was not deformed in anyway or very little, had, had lost very little of its mass, had caused seven wounds. // (06:05:10) It was just kind of hard to figure, like how did that happen?
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 18 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783 784 785 786 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 811 812 813 814 Luke Haag (#2161013, 05:41:47) How on earth can a rifle bullet, one of these bullets go through two people? And, more than that, how can it go through two people and look essentially undamaged? Pine Board Test NARR: Now Luke and Michael Haag are conducting experiments, using the Carcano rifle, to evaluate the single bullet theory. NARR: The first experiment is a test of the Carcano bullet s stability and penetrating power. Could it pass through Kennedy, Connally s torso, then Connally s wrist without being deflected? And if so, what condition would it be in? NARR: Michael Haag will test fire one round into one of the oldest ballistic test materials. Luke Haag (#2161013, 05:53:25) Pine boards. // (2013-08- 06 Haags Card 1) (13:28:50) By setting up a group of boards // you can learn a number of things: does the bullet // deflect, is it going to deviate? And once it deviates, is it now going to snap, or break, or deform? And then of course, how deep does it go? NARR: Just in case the bullet makes it all the way through the wood, a Kevlar vest will catch it. NARR: They ll use a chronograph and Doppler radar to measure the bullet s speed. And high- speed video to capture its stability. Countdown and firing sequence Luke: Velocity 2,089 - - ten feet beyond the muzzle. NARR: The instruments show the bullet is traveling just under 2100 feet per second as it leaves the gun almost twice the speed of sound. (1126 fps) NARR: High- speed video, recording 20,000 frames per second, shows the Carcano bullet is perfectly straight and stable as it hits the target. Peel away boards until they reveal the bullet NARR: The bullet has penetrated 36 inches. But what condition is it in? Luke Haag: The nose of this bullet is undeformed; it s still perfectly round. This sort of simple demonstration or experiment shows us a number of things. That this bullet is a very hard, very stable bullet; it s just plowed through three feet of pine
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 19 815 816 817 818 819 820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 839 840 841 842 843 844 845 846 847 848 849 850 851 852 853 854 855 856 857 858 859 860 boards. It s undeformed, it s still nose- forward. These bullets are capable of passing through two human beings. Tissue Simulant Test NARR: But this test only shows the bullet in one medium wood. ANIMATION: single bullet theory NARR: In the single bullet theory, it passes through multiple materials: Kennedy s neck, then air, then Connally. NARR: So the next step is to recreate what happens when a Carcano bullet hits human tissue. Luke Haag (2013-08- 06 Haags Card 1) (13:35:45) It s basically a splash, we re basically a bag of water (13:35:56) If you throw a rock into the water - - the water parts. So does muscle tissue to high- velocity bullets. SLO- MO of water splashes NARR: To learn how muscle tissue parts when penetrated by a Carcano bullet, they ll use two different tissue simulants: ballistic gelatin, and ballistic soap. NARR: Both have the same density and resistance to penetration as human muscle, but they behave differently when struck by a bullet. In gelatin like muscle a wound cavity opens, then closes. Luke Haag (2013-08- 06 Haags Card 1) (13:36:02) We re looking at a temporary cavity in gelatin that opens up (claps hands), and collapses. NARR: But ballistic soap freezes the moment in time, preserving the wound cavity. Luke Haag (2013-08- 06 Haags Card 1) (13:36:48) That temporary cavity is formed by the splash, by the plow of the bullet through, but it stays there. Recap Pine Boards Test NARR: The pine boards have already shown that a Carcano bullet can easily go straight through two people. NARR: But the single bullet theory is all about what it does after it emerges from Kennedy s neck. Does it remain intact? Is it deflected? What happens to its velocity?
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 20 861 862 863 864 865 866 867 868 869 870 871 872 873 874 875 876 877 878 879 880 881 882 883 884 885 886 887 888 889 890 891 892 893 894 895 896 897 898 899 900 901 902 903 904 905 Luke Haag (2013-08- 06 Haags Card 1) (13:34:35) Where did it go after that, and how fast was it going? That s important to know what kind of damage can we expect it to do to another gunshot victim such as Connally or to the car? NARR: In these three feet the space between Kennedy and Connally lie the answers that prove or disprove the single bullet theory. NARR: They ll start with the soap. Luke Haag #2161012 (01:58:10) It s very similar to Neutrogena, that clear amber soap that you can see through. This // (01:58:45) has the same density and same resistivity to penetration as muscle tissue. Luke Haag #2161012 (01:59:04) I ve also put this cloth on here, with a little simulated skin underneath so we can see a phenomenon called bullet wipe. #2161012 setting up soap test, Luke counts down, Mike fires Luke: Let me store this shot before I forget it. Oh good, we got a good trace Luke Haag #2161012 (02:04:40) First thing to notice is this cloth with the bullet hole in it. The dark ring you see around there is a phenomenon known to forensic scientists as bullet wipe. It s the smudgy material on the surface of a bullet that literally wipes off as it pushes through the first surface it encounters. This is important because it tells you direction: this is an in- shoot, this is an entry. There is bullet wipe around the small round hole in JFK s coat. Luke removes cloth, etc Luke Haag #2161012 (02:07:16) Okay, I ve removed the cloth and the skin simulant which has a nice round hole, that s what a medical examiner would find in skin. (02:07:28) But here we have something different, we have a representative of the temporary cavity, that the tissue would have been hurled out, propelled out, but in a real person, or in tissue or in gelatin, it d collapse back (02:07:40) Luke #2161012 (02:08:48) This is the exit, and we can see it s very little different in size than the entry. Luke cuts open block Luke Haag #2161012 (02:11:12) Okay, I ve sectioned this length- wise along the wound track. And the noticeable things are that it s perfectly straight it does not divert up, down, right, or left.
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 21 906 907 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 922 923 924 925 926 927 928 929 930 931 932 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 940 941 942 943 944 945 946 947 948 949 950 951 NARR: But near the exit, the wound path gets wider something s happening to the bullet. Luke Haag #2161012 (02:11:49) this is the entrance; the bullet stays stable, stable, stable, nose forward. Over here s the exit, and it s just starting to yaw. ANIMATION: Yaw NARR: Yaw means the bullet is changing its orientation in flight. It s still moving in a straight line but it s starting to tumble. High- Speed Shot HERE NARR: High- speed video shows the bullet beginning to yaw after it emerges from the soap. NARR: Now they try a shot through gelatin. NARR: The wound path opens up NARR: then collapses. NARR: And just like firing through soap the bullet goes into yaw. Luke SYNC: Oh, another yawing, tumbling bullet. It s almost in perfect yaw maybe an eighty instead of a ninety? NARR: Behind the target is a witness panel, a piece of quarter- inch sheetrock. It s three feet beyond the soap, the same position Connally was in, three feet beyond Kennedy. The witness panel records the bullet s orientation after exiting Kennedy s neck. Luke Haag #2161012, (02:13:03) We ve got an intact bullet. It s not deformed; we can see the profile of it there s the nose, there s the heel or the base. But it s going sideways. Luke Haag #2161012, 02:22:23 Luke: Here s an actual fired Carcano bullet, and we can see it s almost perfectly in profile. Luke Haag #2161012, (02:13:24) Connally s coat has this kind of a hole in it. (Note: Exhibit 679 = Connally s coat) a small wound roughly elliptical Surgeon s diagram:
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 22 952 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 960 961 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 972 973 974 975 976 977 978 979 980 981 982 983 984 985 986 987 988 989 990 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 NARR: And so does Connally s back, according to his surgeon. MONTAGE of Haag s testing, high- speed video, etc NARR: In test after test, the Carcano bullet plows straight through tissue simulant, but tumbles when it reenters the air. Luke Haag #2161030 (13:48:26) time after time, // (13:48:34) the instant this bullet is back out into the atmosphere, it goes into yaw. // (13:48:30) That was a real surprise. // (13:48:39) I can't explain it, // (13:49:09) but from a science standpoint, it's repeatable. Shots of YAW Witness panel holes... Stretcher bullet (NOT seen from end- on yet) NARR: A bullet hitting sideways has much more resistance, which helps explain Connally s wounds. Luke Haag #2161012 (01:47:33) Just like holding your hand out the window of a car going 90 miles an hour so you feel a lot of resistance; if you put your hand like that you feel very little. (01:47:40) So when the bullet hits Connally, it s now going sideways and it does a lot of damage. (01:47:44) NARR: Going sideways also slows the bullet down, and even a small reduction in speed means a big loss of kinetic energy. John McAdams #2161027 (04:11:01) Kinetic energy is defined as the ability to do work, work like smash a radius bone, or deform a bullet. NARR: Because the bullet s moving slowly when it hits Connally s wrist, it s easy for it to break the bone without damaging itself. NARR: And in fact, the stretcher bullet is damaged. John McAdams #2161027 (04:09:41) If you look at it from certain angles, you'll say, gosh, this isn't deformed at all. If you look at it end- on, it's mashed very considerably, it's actually in an oval shape, not round. (04:09:53) So, it has suffered some damage. NARR: And it s exactly the type of damage a bullet would get from hitting sideways. NARR: Operating on Connally s wrist, doctors found bits of lead. Luke Haag thinks the soft lead was squeezed out of the bullet s hard copper jacket like toothpaste from a tube because it was going sideways. A soda can filled with soft plastic illustrates. NOTE CU CAs at 14:17:06 14:19:14
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 23 998 999 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1030 1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 1036 1037 1038 1039 1040 1041 1042 1043 Luke Haag #2161030 (14:02:37) if I put forces on this this way, and keep it straight, it's strong. (14:02:42) If I put force on it like this, (14:02:47) now this bullet's going sideways, a moment ago it was going straight through Kennedy, now it's going sideways, some of the lead gets squeezed out. (14:02:56) // (14:03:06) Cause now the bullet s sideways when it hits hard bone, some of this breaks off. (14:03:11) MONTAGE NARR: A straight line through JFK s neck elliptical holes in Connally s back and coat, with no bullet wipe bits of lead in the wrist a bullet noticeably flattened, with lead bulging out the bottom and tests that show the Carcano bullet consistently turns sideways. To Luke Haag, it all adds up. Luke Haag #2161013 (05:55:36) it s clearly possible. There s no reason not to conclude that the single bullet theory as proposed by Arlen Specter is the correct one. Transition NARR: But the single bullet theory is not the only Warren conclusion that some find hard to accept. There s also the fatal head shot. But it takes twelve years for that controversy to erupt because the public has never seen the Zapruder film in motion, until March 1975. Zapruder Showing and HSCA NARR: Other than still frames, the public never sees the film in motion until March 1975. Geraldo Rivera Good Night America SYNC: and now, at the bottom of the screen, the head shot. That s the shot that blew off his head. And as you can see, clearly, the head is thrown violently backwards. NARR: When they re shown the film in motion, viewers are stunned to see the direction Kennedy moves when he s hit in the head. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (05:24:01) Kennedy goes backwards like this John McAdams #2161027 (04:32:37) back and to the left Josiah Thompson #2161035 (15:38:39) he s thrown backwards and to the left. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (05:24:20) if he's hit by a bullet from behind, why would his head go in the direction of that the shot came from? It seems more likely that he was driven
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 24 1044 1045 1046 1047 1048 1049 1050 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060 1061 1062 1063 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070 1071 1072 1073 1074 1075 1076 1077 1078 1079 1080 1081 1082 1083 1084 1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 backwards by a bullet from the front. Josiah Thompson #2161034 (16:07:46) But the Warren Commission had been telling us all along he got hit in the back of the head. John McAdams #2161027 (04:32:39) that convinced a lot of people there had to be a conspiracy, because they assumed he was thrown back and to the left by a shot from the right front. Josiah Thompson #2161034 (16:08:17) the American public said to themselves, what the hell is going on here? We've been told for a decade or so that he got shot in the back of the head, looks to us like he got shot in the front of the head. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (05:26:17) if there was a shot from the front, then there was clearly two gunmen, and there was some kind of conspiracy. Josiah Thompson #2161034 (16:05:26) And that tidal wave of public concern and anger really eventuated in the formation of the House Select Committee. HSCA Findings NARR: In 1976, the House Select Committee on Assassinations begins investigating the murders of John Kennedy and Martin Luther King. HSCA Report Summary of Findings: Suggested KEY phrases: Oswald fired three shots sixth floor window third shot he fired killed the President. NARR: Three years later, many of their conclusions agree with the Warren Commission: Lee Harvey Oswald fired three shots from the sixth floor of the School Book Depository the second hit Kennedy, and the third killed him. Acoustics NARR: Although the report agrees with most of the Warren conclusions, there is one major difference and it s a bombshell. HSCA Report Summary of Findings: Suggested KEY phrases: two gunmen fired
Nova: Cold Case JFK - - Fine Cut Script - - 10/10/13 p. 25 1090 1091 1092 1093 1094 1095 1096 1097 1098 1099 1100 1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 1111 1112 1113 1114 1115 1116 1117 1118 1119 1120 1121 1122 1123 1124 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130 1131 1132 1133 1134 1135 a result of a conspiracy NARR: The Committee finds there were two gunmen; there was a conspiracy. p. 81, next- to- last para: shot from the grassy knoll missed NARR: A fourth shot from the grassy knoll missed. HSCA, p84: second gunman was established only by the acoustical study NARR: The evidence for this startling conclusion is audio recordings from a Dallas police motorcycle. And they ve been controversial from the beginning. NARR: No shots are heard in the recordings. But in the static, there are patterns of impulses. Newspaper article re: 1978 test firings: Photos of HSCA acoustic tests: NARR: In 1978, experts recorded gunshots in Dealey Plaza and found patterns that seemed to match the police tapes. John McAdams #2161027 (04:46:47) the match was not exact, // and none of the correlation coefficients were anywhere near perfect correlations. (04:46:59) But // that was their basis for concluding that there were four shots. NARR: Some think the police tapes aren t even from the right time or place. Jefferson Morley #2161028 (06:19:58) there s audio evidence on that tape that suggests that those impulses might have been recorded about a minute after the assassination. John McAdams #2161027 (04:43:37) Dallas officials have basically said, no, this isn't really in Dealey Plaza. 1982 NAS Study: NARR: In 1982, the National Academy of Science examined the acoustic evidence. John McAdams #2161027 (04:50:44) they concluded, no, these conclusions are simply invalid. NARR: To this day, experts continue to disagree about the acoustic evidence.