[Sample B: Approval/Signature Sheet] - George Mason University

was the lone assassin. For example, despite witnesses who reported suspicious activity
behind the infamous “Grassy Knoll” or who believed gunshots were fired from that
direction, and even testimony from Senator Ralph Yarborough and others that they
smelled gunfire in the vicinity, the Commission declared “There is no credible evidence
that the shots were fired from the Triple Underpass, ahead of the motorcade, or from any
other location.” 91
When necessary, however, the Commission could obfuscate the issue. For
example, the conclusion that a single bullet wounded Kennedy in the back and neck and
also struck Governor Connally was presented in a convoluted manner reminiscent of the
bullet’s supposed trajectory: “Although it is not necessary to any essential findings of the
Commission to determine just which shot hit Governor Connally, there is very persuasive
evidence from the experts to indicate that the same bullet which pierced the President’s
throat also caused Governor Connally’s wounds. However, Governor Connally’s
testimony and certain other factors have given rise to some difference of opinion….” 92
In fact, the so-called magic or single bullet theory is necessary to convincing the public of
Oswald’s guilt, because it would have been impossible for him to fire as many bullets in
the time span measured by Abraham Zapruder’s homemade film of the assassination if a
single bullet did not strike both Kennedy and Connally. The confused rhetoric of this key
passage resulted from disagreements among the Commissioners about the single-bullet
theory. Senate Richard Russell refused to sign the report until the passage was re-worded
91 WC Report, 19.
92 WC Report, 19.
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