PDF Summary:The Man Who Killed Kennedy, by Roger Stone

In The Man Who Killed Kennedy, Roger Stone investigates one of America's most infamous events—the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He presents the theory that Lyndon B. Johnson conspired with criminal organizations and rogue CIA elements to orchestrate the murder of Kennedy and subsequently cover up any traces of their involvement.

The book examines Johnson's rise to power, which was marked by dubious associations and unscrupulous actions, suggesting he had both the means and the motive to assassinate Kennedy. It delves into oddities surrounding the Dallas shooting, investigating tactics that facilitated the murder and contradictory witness accounts that challenged official conclusions. The narrative also examines purported efforts to conceal incriminating evidence involving the president's body and the car he rode in.

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In this segment of the narrative, Stone posits that Johnson's deep-seated ties to renegade agents within the agency, especially those associated with Operation 40, a team authorized by the CIA to carry out assassinations, gave him a significant advantage in planning and hiding the details of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Johnson harnessed his distinctive ability to coordinate the murder of Kennedy, all the while overseeing the suppression of any condemning evidence or intelligence, leveraging his Senate role that oversaw CIA funding and his joint endeavors with the agency aimed at deposing Fidel Castro in Cuba.

The partnership between the intelligence community and the mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro uncovers a clandestine relationship equipped with the capability for executing high-profile killings, potentially implicating them in the assassination of JFK.

Stone presents a meticulously crafted account of the failed joint efforts by the intelligence agencies and the criminal underworld to assassinate Fidel Castro. The agency's strategy was bolstered by forging alliances with organized crime groups in Cuba. The operation uncovered a covert system with the capacity to execute targeted killings, involving CIA operatives, spies, and affiliates from the criminal world. Stone contends that Johnson was aware of the unit's activities and ultimately harnessed their skills to execute the assassination of Kennedy.

E. Howard Hunt's assertion that LBJ, along with rogue elements from the CIA, played a pivotal part in the plot to assassinate JFK lends further credence to the theory that Johnson was deeply involved in the scheme.

Roger Stone bolsters the case regarding Johnson's role by citing the deathbed confession of E. Howard Hunt, a Watergate burglar and rogue CIA agent, who accused Johnson of orchestrating the plot and working with covert intelligence officials to devise and hide the details of the assassination. Hunt was a member of Operation 40, a notorious CIA group that took part in the failed invasion of Cuba's Bay of Pigs and devised multiple plots to eliminate Castro. The author finds Hunt's claims believable, noting that he pinpointed specific people, including Bill Harvey and David Morales, who were linked to the CIA. The individual in question was Cord Meyer Jr.

Other Perspectives

• The theory of LBJ's involvement in JFK's assassination is not universally accepted and lacks concrete evidence; it is one of many conspiracy theories surrounding the event.
• Connections with unsavory characters do not necessarily imply criminal activity or involvement in an assassination plot.
• The support from the Chicago Outfit in the 1960 election could be seen as part of the broader context of political alliances rather than direct evidence of a quid pro quo or criminal conspiracy.
• The capabilities of the intelligence community and the mob to carry out high-profile assassinations do not directly implicate them in JFK's assassination without specific evidence linking them to the crime.
• E. Howard Hunt's deathbed confession is controversial and has been questioned by many historians and researchers for its veracity and lack of corroborating evidence.
• The use of rogue elements within the CIA as a basis for the assassination plot is speculative and part of a larger narrative of distrust towards the government that is not necessarily grounded in proven facts.
• Alternative theories exist that attribute JFK's assassination to Lee Harvey Oswald acting alone, as concluded by the Warren Commission, or to other individuals or groups, each with varying degrees of evidence and credibility.

The complexities of the Dallas assassination, along with the subsequent investigation and attempts to obscure the actual facts, implicated additional prominent figures.

Roger Stone presents the case that the details of Kennedy's trip to Dallas were meticulously arranged by associates of LBJ to guarantee the assassination was carried out without fail. Dealey Plaza, the site of the assassination, posed significant security risks that were neglected. The subsequent inquiry, particularly the findings of the Warren Commission, deliberately concealed the reality in order to shield the true conspirators. The book elaborates on the roles played by other crucial figures in hiding the reality. The author puts forth a persuasive argument that strongly substantiates the presence of a plot.

The details of Kennedy's journey to Dallas highlight the extent of the assassination's groundwork that was masterminded by LBJ.

Stone reveals the covert operations that took place before Kennedy's arrival in Dallas. The author examines the choice to organize a luncheon at the Trade Mart, emphasizing the notably insufficient security measures in place where the assassination occurred. The intentional placement of the mistakes has been ascribed to the mastermind, Lyndon B. Johnson.

The choice to have Kennedy deliver his speech at the Dallas Trade Mart required a change in the motorcade route, which unfortunately directed it through Dealey Plaza, where the assassination took place.

Stone contends that by choosing the Trade Mart as the venue for Kennedy's luncheon address, it gave LBJ the chance to modify the path of the motorcade to pass through Dealey Plaza, a location Stone deems perfect for carrying out a plot to assassinate. The relocation of the luncheon required a tight turn near a particular structure, which considerably slowed down the speed at which the president's car was traveling. The Secret Service did not rectify a conspicuous oversight in security.

The multitude of lapses in protection at Dealey Plaza imply that LBJ may have played a role in enabling the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Stone suggests that the intentional decrease in protective measures at the location where President Kennedy met his demise hints at the possibility that orders for these security oversights originated with Lyndon B. Johnson. The security lapses included reducing the motorcycle police detail for the motorcade, allowing access to skyscrapers adjacent to the parade route, and halting surveillance operations in the vicinity of the presidential procession's route. Directives issued by the Secret Service's chief resulted in deviations from the agency's usual protocols. The connection with Lyndon Johnson was widely acknowledged and had been established for a considerable time. Stone regarded this as more than mere happenstance.

Accounts from individuals who observed the event and results from scientific examinations question the conclusions of the Warren Commission, suggesting the possibility of a conspiracy and efforts to conceal it.

In this section, Stone advances the idea that witness accounts and irrefutable evidence suggesting a conspiracy was central to Kennedy's assassination, and that the ensuing investigation was designed more to obscure the facts than to identify the assassin. Numerous witnesses offered descriptions of the assassination that diverged from the account later solidified by the Commission. Stone contends that these narratives are trustworthy and criticizes the investigative body for their attempts to obscure the truth by dismissing these accounts.

Reports from witnesses indicating that two shooters were positioned close to the Texas School Book Depository cast doubt on the single-assassin hypothesis and support the possibility that Mac Wallace was involved.

Stone offers detailed narratives from observers who noticed a pair of people in the TSBD window, thereby questioning the lone gunman theory proposed by the government's investigation. The witnesses remembered seeing two gunmen, one of whom was tall with spectacles, and the other being a man with a darker skin tone clad in a white shirt. The argument for a conspiracy is bolstered by citing Loy Factor, an additional marksman in the sniper's nest, who corroborated the narrative of multiple gunmen being involved. Stone argues that Factor's narrative is credible because it avoids accusing additional parties and provides thorough descriptions, including the presence of a table saw at the location of the assassin and the use of a station wagon for the getaway. Richard Carr, along with other witnesses, confirmed seeing a station wagon painted in shades of blue and white hastily leaving the vicinity of the Depository, believed to be carrying the individuals involved in the assassination.

The hypothesis suggesting that there was deliberate alteration of President Kennedy's autopsy results, along with the so-called "Magic Bullet," highlights a concerted effort to conceal the actual events.

Drawing on the expertise of medical professionals and examination of autopsy photographs, the assertion of intentional obfuscation and pervasive dishonesty is substantiated. Upon President Kennedy's arrival at Parkland Hospital, Dr. Charles A. Crenshaw, who was among the medical professionals providing care, noted a small perforation in the neck area, a detail confirmed by additional medical personnel but notably missing from the official autopsy report. The theory of a lone bullet, presented by the Warren Commission, aimed to counter the notion of a separate wound in Kennedy's throat by suggesting that one bullet traversed Kennedy's neck and then caused seven wounds to Governor Connally, who was seated in front of Kennedy. Stone offers medical evaluations and photographic evidence to challenge the possibility of a single bullet causing several wounds, a theory devised to support the assertion that Oswald was the sole shooter and that merely three shots were discharged in Dealey Plaza.

Other Perspectives

• The Warren Commission, along with numerous subsequent investigations, found no credible evidence linking Lyndon B. Johnson to the assassination of President Kennedy.
• The security arrangements in Dealey Plaza were consistent with the standards of the time, and there is no definitive proof that any lapses were intentional or orchestrated by any high-ranking officials.
• The Warren Commission's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone is supported by a significant body of evidence, including ballistic tests, eyewitness accounts, and Oswald's own actions following the assassination.
• Many of the witness accounts cited as evidence for a conspiracy have been contested or discredited due to inconsistencies or lack of corroboration.
• The "Magic Bullet" theory has been supported by forensic evidence and expert analysis, which suggest that the bullet's trajectory was consistent with the injuries sustained by Kennedy and Connally.
• The hypothesis of multiple gunmen has not been substantiated with physical evidence that meets the standards of criminal investigation and has been widely disputed by experts in ballistics and forensic science.
• Claims of alterations to President Kennedy's autopsy results have been challenged by other medical professionals who were present or involved in the subsequent analysis, and the official autopsy report has been upheld by numerous experts.
• The presence of a station wagon and the descriptions of individuals leaving the scene have not been conclusively linked to the assassination, and alternative explanations have been provided for these observations.

The complex interplay among government agencies, clandestine units, and illicit organizations.

This section of the narrative delves into the recurring theme of the nexus between those who are supposed to uphold the law and those who engage in illicit activities, a connection that spans from lower-level political roles to the uppermost tiers of governance. Stone posits that such connections might undermine democratic principles and may have played a role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The dangerous intersection of these groups as a serious threat to democracy

The publication authored by Roger Stone explores the complex ties that intertwine the political scene of the United States with criminal syndicates, emphasizing the threat to democratic values posed by Joe Kennedy Sr.'s dealings with organized crime. Stone points out that while the mob backed Kennedy in the 1960 election, they also pledged their loyalty to Nixon. By initiating a crackdown on organized crime, Attorney General Robert Kennedy was, in effect, targeting the very group that had assisted in electing his brother to the presidency. Stone contends that these associations not only tarnished the standing of the Kennedy family but also undermined the entire integrity of the democratic system.

Joe Kennedy Sr. solicited the help of underworld figures to bolster his son John F. Kennedy's bid for the presidency in 1960, showcasing the persistent influence these factions have maintained since their initial political collaborations in the early 1900s.

The publication authored by Roger Stone narrates how Joe Kennedy Sr. worked in conjunction with the Chicago mafia to secure John F. Kennedy's win in the 1960 presidential election by obtaining votes. Stone elucidates the connection between this event and the mechanisms of machine politics, which secures voter loyalty by pledging rewards and frequently employs coercion. While the apparatus was designed to help immigrants assimilate socially and economically, it also partook in corrupt practices, compelling political support through the promise of governmental advantages. Stone contends that since the early 20th century, organizations involved in illegal operations have exerted control over the political landscape within the US.

The way in which J. Edgar Hoover utilized secret documents to dominate political leaders highlights the perils of those in authority misusing police organizations for their own safeguarding, and shows how these institutions can function with intentions that might be unlawful or completely contrary to their designed role.

The book discloses that the director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, amassed and protected comprehensive files containing sensitive information on numerous political and public personalities.

Hoover wielded the information from these records as a means to exert control over political figures, using the threat of public disgrace as a tool to thwart the ambitions of those he viewed as opponents. The narrative illustrates the extent of Hoover's power over the President and his willingness to undermine the presidency's stature by revealing the President's affair. Stone suggested that Hoover was concerned about the possibility of being removed from his post by the new administration. Upon taking office as President, John F. Kennedy was sixty-six years old, an age at which he was approaching the stage in life where he had planned to retire before starting another term.

Other Perspectives

• The extent to which the nexus between government agencies, clandestine units, and illicit organizations poses a threat to democracy can be overstated, as democratic institutions have checks and balances designed to prevent such influences from undermining the system entirely.
• The involvement of Joe Kennedy Sr. with underworld figures during John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign is a matter of historical debate, and some argue that the influence of organized crime on the election's outcome has been exaggerated.
• While organized crime has had a presence in US politics, to suggest it has controlled or significantly influenced the political landscape could diminish the role of legitimate, law-abiding public servants and the electorate in shaping policy and governance.
• The use of secret documents by J. Edgar Hoover, while ethically questionable, may have been part of broader strategies to maintain national security and order, rather than purely for personal gain or control over political leaders.

Lyndon Johnson's quest for authority and control ensued after the assassination.

In the wake of the catastrophe, LBJ quickly amassed proof to support the lone gunman hypothesis, thereby consolidating his role as the successor to the presidency and to remove any incriminating evidence against him. The dubious actions give weight to the idea that Johnson played a role in conspiring to murder JFK.

The behavior of LBJ following the assassination is indicative of his potential complicity.

After Kennedy's death, Johnson deliberately took steps to strengthen his grip on power and at the same time worked to hide any possible complicity he could have had in orchestrating the assassination. Stone contends that the lack of substantial action from Johnson following Kennedy's death, coupled with his strategic maneuvers to assume the presidency, solidly positions him as a participant in the conspiracy.

The decision by Johnson to forgo the bullet-resistant canopy on the presidential car and to utilize Air Force One for the conveyance of the former president's body suggests his intent to control pivotal evidence.

Stone contends that the removal of the security measures for the presidential vehicle at Johnson's insistence, coupled with his stipulation that the plane carrying the late president's body could not leave Dallas without him and Jackie Kennedy on board, implies his involvement in the tragic event. Roger Stone posits that the presence of a protective covering atop the presidential car posed a significant obstacle for the individuals attempting to carry out the murder. Bill Moyers, an aide to Johnson, instructed that it be taken down, which resulted in a less obstructed line of fire for the assassins in Dealey Plaza.

The assassination's success was contingent upon providing the shooter with a clear line of fire. After the killing, the car was thoroughly cleaned despite protests from local police, which destroyed any potential DNA evidence that could have identified those responsible. Johnson's insistence on using Air Force One for the conveyance of President Kennedy's body ensured his authority over the remains upon their arrival in Washington, where the military oversaw a prearranged autopsy at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Johnson's rapid assumption of the presidency and the immediate taking of the presidential oath lend further credence to his attempts to conceal his complicity in the assassination and to quickly establish his control.

Roger Stone presents the theory that the rapid swearing-in of Johnson as president, taking place less than two hours after the death of Kennedy, was a deliberate move to quickly cement the legitimacy of his sudden ascent to power. This, coupled with his order to renovate the car in which Kennedy met his untimely demise, unveils actions indicative of panic and, according to Stone, indicates actions of a person trying to conceal their participation in a fatal crime.

Stone contends that the success of the plot hinged significantly on the rapid ascension of Lyndon Johnson to the presidency, which was more than just a formal change of leadership. He notes that Johnson was quick to take the presidential oath in Dallas due to concerns that postponing it might result in missing the chance.

The car, peppered with bullet marks, offered additional proof that challenged the credibility of the "magic bullet theory," a concept vital for Johnson to maintain control over. During later investigations, the vehicle essential to the case ceased to function.

Other Perspectives

• The evidence supporting the lone gunman hypothesis was widely accepted by various investigations, including the Warren Commission, and not solely promoted by LBJ.
• LBJ's actions following the assassination could be interpreted as those of a leader trying to maintain stability and continuity in government during a crisis, rather than evidence of complicity.
• The decision to remove the bullet-resistant canopy could have been for reasons unrelated to a conspiracy, such as a desire for Kennedy to be more visible to the public.
• The rapid swearing-in of Johnson was consistent with the constitutional requirement to ensure a continuous functioning of the executive branch and may not necessarily indicate a rush to establish legitimacy.
• The renovation of the presidential car and the handling of Kennedy's body could be standard procedures following a tragedy, aimed at preserving evidence and dignity rather than concealing complicity.
• The "magic bullet theory" has been contested but remains a component of the official explanation, and challenges to it do not directly implicate Johnson in a conspiracy.
• The assumption that Johnson's quick assumption of the presidency was part of a plot is speculative without concrete evidence linking him to the assassination.