his 30-page article did much to revive the conspiracy camp in the wake of the Jim Garrison fiasco, though author is unapologetic, asserting “the CIA penetrated his [Garrison’s] case.” Contends the Warren Commission only examined 5-percent of 510 known still photos and films of the assassination and aftermath, which Sprague lists on 4 1/2 pages. Proposes using computers to codify objects and time elements observed in over 25,000 images from film sequences—and still photos—taken in Dealey Plaza, in the hopes of correlating movements and events. Grants credence to Farewell America, the Milteer tapes and terms the Umbrella Man a “visual coordinator.” Includes centerspread of Altgens photo, plus Robert Cutler’s two-page Dealey Plaza chart (detail shown) and four pages of “Tramp” enlargements. Starting with this issue until April 1975, editor Ed Berkeley published an article monthly on political assassination; then continued in the newsletter People and the Pursuit of Truth.

or tenth anniversary of assassination, Sprague contributed this ambitious 15-page article that examined some of the photo-evidence against Oswald. Features several photos at the time not generally available, including full-page reproduction of James Murray Depository photo used in Six Seconds in Dallas. Publishes Hughes frame and Dillard photos as proof that no shots fired from Oswald window, observing later photos showed window bottom raised to height necessary to afford sniper view. Gene Daniels photo of landlady putting up curtains lends credence to Oswald’s story of bringing curtain rods to work. Presents work by Fred Newcomb on the Backyard Photos; and charges Marina with lying about her participation. Contends Howard Brennan never looks up during the Zapruder film. Implicates Marina, the Paines and deMohrenshildts, and Dallas Police. Even Oswald’s landlord and landlady are drawn in, as is Oswald co-worker Buell Wesley Frazier whom Sprague mentions was a “crack shot” who “disappeared for several hours after the assassination.” (Frazier also investigated by O’Toole) Six-shot scenario. (inside page shown)

ust after going public with his “enhanced” version of the Zapruder film, Groden contributed this brief article that accompanied Robert Blair Kaiser’s article: “The JFK Assassination: Why Congress Should Reopen the Investigation.” Groden perceives Umbrella Man as a “conspirator,” proclaims Z313 shows a “glancing blow” from behind followed next frame by a shot from right front, and Z454 discloses “first assassin can be made out with his backup man.” Revised version in the 1976 anthology Government By Gunplay, with the Z454 claim mercifully deleted. Cover guy Peter Falk eventually took on the case indirectly in the 1993 novel Columbo: The Grassy Knoll.

Concise synopsis of conspiracy indicators in both Kennedy assassinations. Includes Robert Groden’s Zapruder commentary and color frames, and cover treatment of “The Man in the Doorway.” Basis for 1976 book JFK Case for Conspiracy, co-authored with Groden.

en page section gives “overview in three parts,” starting with “New Demands for Better Answers” written by George O’Toole, the new kid on the block, with his book The Assassination Tapes just published. O’Toole alleges the Rockefeller Commission may have turned a blind eye to CIA involvement in the assassination. The “Boston phenomenon” (a three-day conference at Boston U by the Assassination Information Bureau) sparked similar events on campuses across the nation. The media also became involved in the debate, as did scientists like Dr. Robert Joling, President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Commission counsel W. David Slawson and Burt Griffin endorsed a new investigation, and a formal call was introduced in the House of Representatives by Texas Rep. Henry Gonzalez. Part Two: “The Doubts Emerge—1967” by Richard Whalen is a condensation of his article first published in the January 14, 1967 issue. Solid case built by Dallas police shaken by Ruby’s “enforced silence” of Oswald. Warren Commission established by and delivered “familiar account” Report to “its anxious client.” At “tedious length,” reading the Report is a “civic chore;” by being “deep but narrow,” it “tells us too much about too little” (one example is the Oswalds’ dog in New Orleans). Single-Bullet Theory was Report’s “chief novelty…its most crucial and vulnerable finding.” Critics tempt with “something sinister…the dramatic values of uncertainty and suspense that the Warren Report so conspicuously lacks.” Using 26 volumes, researchers exposed Commission’s “highly selective attitude” and “forced conclusions;” however “the bulk of that data points to Oswald’s guilt.” Whalen believes the real doubts are in the Zapruder film, which suggest Kennedy and Connally were wounded separately, but too close in time to have been two bullets from Oswald’s rifle. Whalen details the evolution of the Single-Bullet Theory, from Humes to Spector to FBI ballistics expert Robert A. Frazier. Whalen wrongly describes CE399 as “almost intact and unmulitated;” nor did the bullet “smash a rib and shatter a wrist” (the rib was broken by pressure from the missile channel and the wrist had a slapping-type wound which left the radius fractured with all bone present). Whalen argues more lead found in Connally’s wounds than missing from CE399 (Six Seconds in Dallas disputes this). Regarding the autopsy images, Whalen notes RFK “firmly drew a line of propriety between the investigators and this vital evidence;” he then laments the lack of “a timely and discreet examination” by the Commission (as Spector had pleaded). Oswald autopsy “a model of clarity and precision” compared to Bethesda autopsy (wasn’t Lee’s murder just a bit simpler?). Whalen goes into the interaction between Humes and two FBI agents present, quoting from their report (much of the Sibert-O’Neill Report turned out to be hearsay and speculation on the part of the agents). Part Three: “The New Explosion of Controversial Research” by Mark Lane briefly relates some of his experiences on the college lecture circuit, urging “a public, open Congressional investigation.” The “new explosion” of research is undefined. Some two pages describe “Biographies of Leading Researchers” and there’s two pages of “A Bibliography for JFK Buffs.” The November and December issues ran an article each on the controversy.

14-page article that features 38 images from the photographic research of Richard E. Sprague. Altgens and Dillard photos, Zapruder frames, Umbrella Man and Three Tramps. Article online (link checked Nov. 23/04). (lead-off page shown)

uarter-million dollar reward announced on cover beneath painting of Washington praying at Valley Forge (alarmed at influence of conspiracy buffs?). Author of The Assassination Tapes interviews politicians sponsoring and/or supportive of Congressional bills that would re-investigate the assassination. Four-page article included box with details of reward. Article “The Two Henrys” about the early years of the company that created the Lincoln automobile, a descendant of which Kennedy was riding in when assassinated. Half-page ad for O’Toole’s book on page 99. Continuation of series of articles begun in September and concluded in December.

resident of the Academy of Forensic Sciences argues medicolegal issues of assassination, autopsy and investigation. Pals with Dr. Cyril H. Wecht. Some minutiae and nit-picking in three-page article. Has line-drawing version of photo of Thompson shot-sequence in December 2, 1967 Post. Conclusion of series of articles published in September and November. December 1976 Post printed editorial “On the Trail of the Rogue” about creation and focus of newly-created HSCA.

ight-page article by Tennessee author of Bulford (Walking Tall) Pusser biography; contracted with Marguerite Oswald for book. Contention by ex-CIA/FBI agent Harry Dean that a congressman and former army general were architects of right-wing conspiracy. Framed Oswald when they learned he was a Federal undercover agent. Same gang recruited Ruby to silence Oswald’s knowledge of plan. Based on Dean’s infiltration of Minutemen and John Birch Society. Shades of plot device later used in JFK movie. One of the better covers, though no photo-analysis in article. Second part called “JFK Exclusive: Oswald was U.S. Agent!” (making article eight pages in total) ran in October issue (with just text reference on cover).

hree-part series by Robert Groden repackaging his contributions to the 1976 JFK: The Case for Conspiracy. August issue looked at the ultra-right conspiracy indicated by the Milteer Tapes; cover (shown) featured Zapruder frame 335. September issue devoted seven-pages to “The Framing of Lee Harvey Oswald” (lead-off page shown). Groden alleges the ultra-right cabal pooled resources with members of the mob, Cuban exile community, FBI, CIA, and Dallas and Texas officials to assassinate Kennedy and, through Oswald, pin the blame on Castro. Oswald painted a federal agent (back from failed mission to Russia) assigned duties and impersonated to further image as Castroite. Plan to lure police to theatre after Tippit murder worked, but Oswald “made such a loud scene and moved so quickly that they had to arrest him.” (Too bad Jack Ruby wasn’t similarly put off.) Underminds Itek analysis for 1975 CBS program The American Assassins by linking network to CIA. Argues Itek wrong to deny the Hughes film reveals a man in the window set next to Oswald; HSCA (Volume VI) would later side with Itek. Conspirators behind deaths of more than 150 major witnesses including an “unbelievably large percentage” of “well-timed” suicides. Blames media apathy for Garrison fiasco, which later turned out to have been “torpedoed” by the feds. Sees hand of CIA in NBC citing “question of ownership” as grounds for not screening Groden’s Zapruder compilation film. Prints Z312, Z312 and Z321, but ignores the obvious forward movement between the first two frames. The October issue had seven pages exposing “The Rockefeller Commission: The Second JFK Whitewash” and its handling of Groden’s Zapruder film analysis. Attacks Executive Director David Belin (former staff lawyer with the Warren Commission), relating infamous episode of Belin’s “neuro-spasm” protests when Groden and Ralph Schoenman screened Groden’s Zapruder compilation. Faults Rockefeller Commission for dismissing his “assassin” and “rifle” best seen in Z413; Robert Cutler and the HSCA would later identify the “assassin” as a spectator. Prints the “third” Backyard Photo turned over to the Schweiker Sub-committee. Seems to take full credit for formation of HSCA, for whom Groden served as an “independent consultant.”

arina Oswald tells her story in two-part serialization of Johnson’s book Marina and Lee. October issue has a ten-page “Book Bonus” section that recounts Marina’s life with Lee in Russia, the return to the US and Oswald’s attempt on the life of Gen. Walker in Dallas. November issue had a 13-page excerpt that purports to disclose “Why Oswald Really Killed Kennedy.” Motivation revolves around Lee’s exaggerated self-worth, mocked by Marina’s taunting and material longing. It begins with the Oswalds’ stay in New Orleans.

ix-page article based on 18 months of research into Jack Ruby’s mob associates. Sideline hoodlum Ruby ingratiated himself with the Dallas police, as the Commission noted, and powerful mobsters, as the Commission didn’t note. Ruby’s minor participation in gun-running to Cuban rebels in 1958 (mob figured it would get them in good with Castro) later become an “unpatriotic” act that Ruby did not want known. Mob utilized this “secret life” to blackmail Ruby into shooting Oswald. Ruby admitted to one “pleasure trip” to Cuba in 1959, but Malone suggests six or more mob errands. One visit in 1959, to see best friend and gangster Lewie McWillie, supposedly triggered release from Castro’s prisons of Santos Trafficante, Loren Hall and Henry Saavedra. Research based on leaks from the HSCA, and recent FBI file releases on Cuba and organized crime not seen by the Warren Commission. Box “Rubygate” looks at 1959 FBI approach to Ruby for information and Ruby’s purchase of “professional spy equipment.” G-men claimed reports from Ruby unproductive. The now-defunct New Times was a liberal alternative to mainstream news magazines. (lead-off page shown)