Joan Mellen Speech at AARC Conference

[Peter Lemkin]

I was hoping you would email Joan for clarification as to Walt's view on the "we knew that" comment. If Walt actually SAID that, this is no innocent mistake. How can a lie be innocent? Accusing someone of perjury is NOT some "mistake".
And I'd not be surprised if Walt has lied as the very first time I met him, Sunday May 31, 1998, two days after the press conf in Dallas, on JFK's birthday, he told me two huge lies. We were all at a Sunday brunch up in north Austin. J and a few other researchers met on Sunday's for a long brunch and Erick and I often attended. Jay wanted me to meet Walt so he called and asked that we attend this one. (We did not go to the Press conf). During the usual chit chat of "how did you get into this case?" I told Walt that I had been involved my whole life but not actively so until I was part of The AIB. (.The "unofficial" token female). Walt responded that he had spoken on the same stage with Carl Oglesby at the huge three day Politics of Conspiracy Conference At Boston U in 1975- the first ever national conference of this sort. I KNEW that was not true as I was at the conference. Then he went on to say that Carl Oglesby was "one od (his) best friends". Since Carl had been one of my best friends since 1973 I came home and called Carl. I simply asked him what his opinion of Brown was. His reply stunned me: "Who is Walt Brown?". Lies are never innocent. When I am lied to by someone I question all that person says at a later time. So that is why I am asking you if Walt said "We knew this" to Joan. You posted it. So she must have sent you an email saying this. I know this seems like a minor point to you but the "we" Walt is referring to was one of my best friends from the day we met til he passed. Walt claimed him as a best friend as well, Jay Harrison.
I have zero interest in the book. It will just anger me.

Dawn

I can assure you that, yes, JM emailed me that recently [during the research on the book and subject] she asked Walt during extended conversations on this matter, and he told her 'he knew all along' [that in some way Darby was not certified]. More, I can't attest to [such as the veracity of this - or parse out not certified under which organization, etc.]. I'll look for the email, which I'm sure I saved, and try to get the exact wording, if I think it can be shared here publicly.....