7 Lesser-known JFK Conspiracies
The thing about reading documents in the archives is that you never know what you’re going to find -- you just know that eventually you’ll come across some good if you stay at it long enough.
For me, the beauty of the archives is that EVERYTHING is in there. Such massive quantity of documents leads to some gems like the ones I found while researching for my novel, “The Warren Omissions.” These came from letters written by every day citizens -- or every day felons -- to offer up their own theories or insights into who was actually behind JFK’s death … or how he was killed.
1. An inmate or jail guard shot JFK from the Dallas County jail located on Houston Street. This one came via a chaplain who was playing basketball with the inmates and “just got to thinking.”
2. “Phoney Christian Charisma and Phoney Adoration” according to one letter, complete with misspelled words and all. This lunatic’s manifesto didn’t proffer who did kill JFK, but rather why he was killed. The title kind of says it all.
3. Richard Case Nagel, federal prisoner, claimed he knew ahead of time it was going to happen and explain in detail how he knew. Nagel didn’t do it of course since he was in prison after firing off a gun in a bank in El Paso, Texas, about two months before JFK was assassinated. He said he did it to avoid being a patsy for killing JFK. This guy was all kinds of crazy. Of course, if I were in federal prison for such a lame crime, I’d be looking to spin it into fame of some sort, too. Though he was loony, his plan worked.
4. What conspiracy theory list wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of aliens. My favorite that I dug up was by some ex-pat living in New Zealand. His 12-page manifesto was articulate and well written until about page four when aliens were introduced.
5. Lee Harvey Oswald had a look alike, also know as “the second Oswald” theory. I’d never heard this one, but found it quite amusing. The letter I found referencing this was from the daughter of a former Louisiana congressman who demanded answers from the House Select Committee on Assassinations as to whether there was any validity in “the second Oswald” theory. Apparently, the answer was no.
6. A secret assassin named “Saul” did it, as commissioned by George de Mohrenschildt. This interesting letter referenced a book by Hugh McDonald entitled “Appointment in Dallas”, which opened like a publisher’s pitch to a buyer than the actual introduction of a conspiracy theory. I certainly appreciated the pitch as I know what it’s like to look for unique ways to market a book. With that said, it might be the most plausible of all if you start digging into the mysterious life -- and curious death -- of Mr. de Mohrenschildt.
7. The letter above … one I can't even make out. It's completely unintelligible. But there's a theory in there somewhere ... maybe the best one of all. I just can't understand it.
While there are plenty more out there -- and many more I didn’t have time to read -- I’d love to hear what are some of the crazier theories you’ve heard that aren’t so mainstream.