Assassination of John F. Kennedy Lecture Notes

Overview

• Date of Assassination: November 22, 1963, Dallas, Texas.
• Accused Assassin: Lee Harvey Oswald.
• Oswald was killed two days after arrest, raising conspiracy suspicions.
• Focus of the lecture: Events surrounding the Texas School Book Depository (TSBD).

Events Leading to the Assassination

Background of Lee Harvey Oswald

• September 1963: Wesley Frazier received a job offer at the TSBD.
• Frazier hired on the spot on September 13.
• Oswald was hired for a temporary position due to staff shortages.

Connections and Circumstances

• Oswald's wife, Marina, stayed with Ruth Paine due to Oswald's unemployment.
• Randle and Paine facilitated Oswald’s job application.
• Job at TSBD: Oswald filled forms and transported books, earning $1.25/hour.

Work Routine

• Lacked a driver's license; relied on Frazier for carpooling.
• On November 21, deviated from routine to visit Ruth Paine in Irving.
• Left a wedding ring at Paine's house when departing on November 22.
• Carried a large package (supposedly curtain rods) when seen before assassination.

Assassination Day: November 22, 1963

Events at TSBD

• Oswald appeared to work as usual on the morning of November 22.
• Notable interaction: He was seen looking out the window facing Elm Street shortly before the motorcade.
• The motorcade route had been confirmed just days before.

Motorcade Route and Critical Timing

• Motorcade route finalized on November 14, 1963; route decision impacted assassination timing.
• Kennedy passed by the TSBD shortly after noon, leading to the assassination.

Eyewitness Accounts

• Visible confusion among witnesses regarding the gunman’s location.
• Eyewitness reports varied; some noted a man with a rifle and conflicting descriptions surfaced.

The Shooting

Observations of the Gunfire

• Several witnesses confused the sound of gunfire with other noises.
• Kennedy shot at approximately 12:30 PM.
• Main locations of suspected shots: Sniper's Nest on the sixth floor of TSBD versus Grassy Knoll locations.

Conflicting Testimonies

Witness Contradictions and Confusion

• Many witnesses had conflicting accounts about the number and origin of shots.
• Diverging expressions of who they saw and where shots originated.
• Many witnesses claimed to hear three shots; location of shots was debated.

Oswald's Arrest and Subsequent Events

• Oswald was arrested 45 minutes after the assassination.
• Accounts of Oswald’s movements post-assassination remain disputed.
• Several contradictory claims about Oswald’s alibi.

Evidence and Conspiracy Theories

Evidence Handling

• Questions arose regarding the handling of evidence found at the TSBD.
• Discrepancies were found in the evidence collection process, including the rifle and cartridge cases.

Oswald's Alibi

• Oswald claimed to have been on the first floor when shot fired, contradicting evidence of him being in the sniper’s nest.
• Witness accounts often changed over time.

Closing Thoughts

Summary of Conspiracy Theories

• Discussion of potential cover-ups versus claims of Oswald acting alone.
• The variety of interpretations highlight the complexity of the assassination case.
• Final analysis suggests a nuanced understanding of the events rather than a black-and-white conclusion.

Audience Engagement

• Encouragement for further discussion on the nuances and details surrounding the assassination and potential conspiracies.