General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 10 Facts about Lee Oswald that make 70% of Americans Wonder... [View all]HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Those that claim Oswald was framed, and a greater number that claim Oswald was one of multiple shooters. I have not seen any conspiracies citing Oswald as a lone gunman...after all, its hard to establish a conspiracy with a lone gunman.
As to Oswald's involvement, there's just too much evidence of his guilt to believe he was framed. That would require ALL the evidence to be fabricated, which is too preposterous to believe.
As to Oswald being one of the gunman, in theory it is possible. Certainly if their was a conspiracy to assasinate in an ambush fashion, it would be logical to have multiple gunmen setting up a crossfire. That not only increases the chances of a hit, but also creates confusion which inhibits the response to an extent. However, there is no concrete evidence of any gunmen other than Oswald. No shells, no bullets, no gun spotted. What we do have: Some (a minority) of earwitnesses think they heard shots from the knoll. Some (a minority) of earwitnesses thinking they heard more than three shots. Since some earwitnesses candidly admit they couldn't tell how many shots, or from which direction, due to echos; the possibility exists that those who heard more than 3 shots or shots from the knoll were simply mistaken.
Then there is photographic evidence, supposedly revealing hidden gunmen or puffs of smoke. These aren't conclusive...people who want to believe see them, those who are skeptical don't.
Then there are the people on the knoll. Zapruder and his secretary were standing on a pedestal close to the fence. They could likely see over much of the fence, they did not see any gunman or possible fleeing gunman. The motorcycle cop who ran up the knoll did not see any fleeing gunman, and he checked behind the fence, the stockyard, and the parking lot. Other witnesses who looked did not see any fleeing gunman. One witness reported encountering a SS back there, who was tentatively ID'd as Lew Jones. He jumped out of the car in the motorcade, started to run to the Presidential limo, which took off before he reached it. Rather than stop his car to get in, he waved them on to follow the Presidential limo. He then was seen on the knoll by the witness. He didn't put this in his report, presumedly because it was a serious breach of procedure. SS are for protection only. Anyway, if there was a second gunman, he simply vanished into thin air leaving not a trace behind nor any witnesses to his presence. Most likely, no grassy knoll gunman ever existed.
This leaves us with Oswald as the sole gunman, and a quandry for the CTists. Its hard to prove a conspiracy with only one gunman. Trotting out a lineup of boogy-men (CIA, LBJ, Mafia, Cubans, etc) is an easy target and certainly sells books and movies. Each has at least some motive, and each has presumedly the capability. But that doesn't prove they did it.