William Pitzer

[Martin White]

There is another interesting aspect to this case which overlaps into the investigation of Oswald by the DPD.

Recall that Oswald was tested for GSR by the paraffin method. As is now widely known, this resulted in a negative test for nitrates. It's been said by some (usually WR defenders) that the paraffin test has no evidentiary value; that the authorities know it has no value but is used to intimidate a suspect into a confession. The idea is supposedly that the suspect "knows" the infallibility of the test and will confess before the game is up. I can't recall where I read this. It might be a comment attributed to Bugliosi in Reclaiming History, but I'm not sure.

Now in the Pitzer case, they paraffin tested the corpse. If the test is known to have no evidentiary value by investigators, why would they take paraffin casts of the hands of a dead man?

Is there any other "suicide" by gun case where the corpse was paraffin tested?

[Charles Drago]

Now in the Pitzer case, they paraffin tested the corpse. If the test is known to have no evidentiary value by investigators, why would they take paraffin casts of the hands of a dead man?

Is there any other "suicide" by gun case where the corpse was paraffin tested?

Martin,

To answer your first question: We should differentiate between evidentiary value (admissibility in a court proceeding) and investigative value (significance as a clue pointing to the solution of an unsolved mystery/crime).

As to the second: My guess -- and it's only that -- is yes. Especially those cases in which there is good reason to suspect foul play.

[David Josephs]

No gunshot residue on his hands....
no gunshot residue on his head...
FBI says the muzzle needed to be 3 feet away to prevent this depositing of discharge on the skin of the victim.

the possibility of a 2nd head wound.

A witness to the actual condition of JFK with a 16mm film to prove it....
==============

Please explain though what occurs between 11/23/63 and 10/29/66...
Almost three years before "they" know he has the film.... or arrange for his death?

How do they become aware of said films and photos (Dennis David? and why is he still alive?)

DJ

[Martin White]

Now in the Pitzer case, they paraffin tested the corpse. If the test is known to have no evidentiary value by investigators, why would they take paraffin casts of the hands of a dead man?

Is there any other "suicide" by gun case where the corpse was paraffin tested?

Martin,

To answer your first question: We should differentiate between evidentiary value (admissibility in a court proceeding) and investigative value (significance as a clue pointing to the solution of an unsolved mystery/crime).

As to the second: My guess -- and it's only that -- is yes. Especially those cases in which there is good reason to suspect foul play.

Thanks Charles. Researchers such as Harold Weisberg have historically said about the paraffin tests that it can give false positives (such as from handling printed items like books) but that the negative test on Oswald was exculpatory.

Then along come the Defenders of the Faith to say "no, the paraffin tests are known to have false negatives too. That's why it wasn't being used - even by 1963 - as legally admissible evidence. It was done primarily to scare the suspect into a confession".

Oh yeah? Good luck getting a confession from a dead man, then. That might take a while.

[Phil Dragoo]

McBride uses Weisberg's FOIA revelations to show AEC Oak Ridge Facility confirmed Oswald cheek as negative, and tested seven actual shooters of the Mannlicher Carcano, all seven of whom tested positive.

Noguchi found signs of point blank shots on the person and clothing of Robert F. Kennedy.

That Pitzer killed himself without touching the weapon while keeping it three feet away is of interest.

There will always be the likes of Cortland Cunningham with speculative dismissal of evidence, e.g., he wouldn't expect Oswald to test positive as the weapon has such a tight mechanism.

Hence the seven positives at Oak Ridge had to be extracted by FOIA and the infinite persistence of Weisberg.

Again, the official investigation by the LAPD found no evidence of more than eight shots.

Did certain door jambs and ceiling panels go to the landfill rather than the evidence locker.

As one who doubts the integrity of government, you have been added to the list of Persons of Interest.

[Martin White]

Phil, you're damn right I doubt the integrity of the Government, to this day! And also the integrity of my own Government here in the UK!

[Albert Doyle]

I'm surprised CT'ers don't catch on quicker to the fact Commander Pitzer captured Horne's pre-autopsy on his remote filming equipment. Researchers should be quicker to realize that the entry wound to the temple and rear exit wound that Pitzer showed film examples of to Dennis David is proof that Pitzer filmed JFK prior to the official autopsy. The only place he could have done that was at the covert pre-autopsy where they altered those wounds. If you think about it Pitzer had to not only film those incriminating wounds but also the criminal alteration of those wounds that the pre-autopsy was intended for. You can see what a danger Pitzer and his film was. It is understandable that CIA asked Dan Marvin to assassinate him considering what a danger he was to them. I can't understand why this doesn't click with the assassination community. It basically cracks the case.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUlOR7fX98

[Drew Phipps]

I believe that it is the lack of any supporting documentation that bothers most people. We're not judging Pitzer's credibility; but, to believe what Mr. David says dead Mr. Pitzer told him, without any hard evidence, is a big jump.

[Albert Doyle]

You're not doubting one person you're doubting two or three. Don't forget Dan Marvin and Pitzer's wife. That kind of incurious doubt is the same methodology employed by Lone Nutters and those who attacked Gary Webb.

What I always ask persons who make the argument you do is what exactly was the head of the Bethesda AV department doing that evening when he was called in to do the most important job of his career? The most important autopsy ever done at Bethesda?

What happened to the films Pitzer took that night?

Pray tell Drew, what documentation would you expect to exist from a CIA-guarded covert autopsy designed to cover up a coup d'etat?

[Drew Phipps]

None at all. Which is exactly the same documentation you'd get if there was no plot at all. You show me an empty glass; why should I assume it was full, as opposed to half full, or never been used?

Gary Webb had evidence. There is some evidence to support any number of conspiracy theories in JFK's death. There just so happens to be none in support of Mr. David's tale of covert video tapes. I certainly believe the wife when she says she doesn't believe her husband killed himself, but that doesn't make it a fact.