Gene Kelly

Its excellent... some new (fresh) investigative insights that are not common knowledge, plus good food for critical thought. I am 2/3rds through it, and its very informative building on past work by Melanson, Klaber, Kaiser et al. It examines the role of Ambassador security (especially Gardner and his interaction with ACE security) as well as the hypnotic exams given to Sirhan in jail. He spurs interest in a key question... how was RFK led into the 'killing zone" by a last-minute change in exit route, and were there 'insiders' or traitors associated with the Kennedy camp. Thoughtful treatment of the compromised Sirhan defense team, and additonal expose of the biased (and Agency-influenced) LAPD Pena and Hernandez. He also treads into the necessary (but difficult) black waters of Morales, and his possible presence at the Ambassador... in spite of the conflicting opinions and observations of the film, I remain convinced that the hand of Morales is present (literally). It will be interesting to compare Shane's work with what Larry Hancock is doing on the Mary Ferrell website.

Any pictures of Belknap?

Thank you for that. I have updated the "deaths" page (I have also now included Thomas Karamessines on the list). William Sullivan is an interesting case and deserves his own thread. I do believe he was murdered and think I know how it was done. John: In addition to "how" he was murdered (and who really shot him), can you tell me exactly when he was scheduled to testify before the HSCA? Was it imminent; the following week? If so, that's very much cause-effect, and quite similar to Roselli and Giancana. Thanks- gene

John: I am digging into the HSCA, and how it was conducted. I found this thread (somewhat dated) and can't resist asking you - and Tim - who killed Sullivan, and how was it done? Gene Thank you for that. I have updated the "deaths" page (I have also now included Thomas Karamessines on the list). William Sullivan is an interesting case and deserves his own thread. I do believe he was murdered and think I know how it was done.

Thanks Roger.

Kathleen: Good insight on the actor aspect... one of many in the Plaza that day, apparently. I wonder how one 'scripts' such a play, and stages an unsuspecting actor to play a part. What did they tell him? Who approached him? How was it kept innocent or unconnected, insofar as Belknap knew? Why was he allowed to live afterwards, for 20+ years? How could he have not suspected...after the fact? Surely he must have known later that something was played out, and that he was part of it. I can't believe it was the classic explanation we've heard of being part of a military op, or abortion plot. And, he was a young man (23-24, about the same age as Oswald) at the time, with another 'part-time' job across the street. Did he experience a suspicious death in 1985? So many questions... Gene

I believe the "epileptic seizure" was an act and this person knew nothing of what was going on, just do as told. Like the way Woody Allen directs his actors. Kathy

Thanks Greg... the associated information about several false alarm calls to the ambulance company in the weeks just prior to the assassination add another dimension, in my opinion. One of our Forum members added an interesting observation that the purported distraction is akin to a magician's slight of hand (shades of MKULTRA) which sets off alarms for me, personally. The fact that the ambulance apparently slowed the motorcade - allegedly allowing shooter teams to get in place, and to control the timing of events - seems a very tempting scenario. If a similar event were to occur today, I dare say the first responders would not be an EMT team... Secret Service, and all other sorts of protective personnel (in the crowd) would - like a new suit - be all over a guy in fatigues, writhing on the ground, just minutes away from POTUS arrival. Way too suspicious and coincidental. And, the fact this has never been researched in depth really surprises me. Regards, Gene

Oh, I don't know. He's 23, only has a part time job and living at home with his parents. I'd be interested to know what kind of medication he was taking that would forestall fainting spells. Steve Thomas Steve: As someone knowledgeable in persons with seizure disease, the statistics show the vast majority (especially those with so-called head injury precursor events) to be prone to maybe one, and then none for a long time, if ever again. Plus, I can't see an ER allowing someone who had such an episode- especially one where an ambulance ride is warranted - to simply walk away. This doesn't jibe well with the expected medical responses and profiles for such an injury. I agree with Tim... fainting spells from an accident several years ago seems a weak (but simple) story line. An implausible medical excuse. The Belknap anecdote screams out to me as a planned distraction and way too coincidental. Gene

This subject has been going on forever it seems like. Could be either way. Very good chance he just had a "fit" and needed an ambulance, and felt better once at the hospital. People with Epilepsy often have very short seizures, or they could be extended. Regardless [getting off track] it would be a very ingenious method of distracting peoples attention. Most people look at at the distraction for the TSBD. But the main objective may have been for the Dal-Tex, Co. Records building, or even the parking lot area. This would have allowed not only maybe shooters, but spotters, radio men, phony S/S and DPD men to get to their perspective locations as per plans. A few other things. Tom mentioned with BR Williams being on the 6th floor causing the shooter to take a less than desirable location for a shot, but when BR moved, it allowed him to move to the desirable location. [meaning the east end window] My opinion, the west end windows would have been a better shooting location than the east. Closer to target for one, plus an easier shot IMO. [You wouldnt have been all squeezed into the corner with that nasty pipe in the way on the east end] Additionally, the west end was the original shooter location witnessed by Arnold Rowland and his wife, and others. Another thing. John graciously posted the WC testimony of BR Williams by Mr. Ball. BRW testified about where he worked over the last few years or so. Why would BR leave a Government job working at the Post Office, for a job stacking school books for like a $1.25 an hour?? Doesnt make too much sense to me, to leave a Gov. job, [civil service] with Im sure [even at that time] ins. benefits, holidays, vacation, sick time, etc... Just seems odd, doesnt it? Here is a young black man, one year out of high school, with no other schooling, or prior P.O. exp. who was a dishwasher and a fry cook, getting a job at the Union Terminal Annex Post Office. Then leaving it. I guess Ive seen weirder things. JMO FWIW-MS Michael: I think you're onto something interesting with the Dallas Morning News aspect... part-time (maybe just got the job) seems awfully coincidental. I wonder if he stayed on with the news and kept the job afterwards...and for how long? Also, as someone knowledgeable in persons with seizure disease, the statistics show the vast majority (especially those with so-called head injury precursor events) to be prone to maybe one, and then none for a long time. Plus, I can't see an ER allowing someone who had such an episode- especially one where an ambulance ride is warranted - to simply walk away. This doesn't jibe well with the expected medical responses and profiles for such an injury. Gene

Tim, I believe this person has been identified as an employee of the Dallas Morning News. BK Jerry Belknap was his name. James James: Do you have any pictures of Mr. Belknap, or the ambulance response? Given that it occurred minutes before JFK arrived, and that so many cameras were poised at that time in the Plaza, a picture of either belknap or the ambulance responding must be available. Gene

Michael: What other analogies strike you about this event? I think its interesting you mention a magician's slight of hand... I have an interest in the MKULTRA mind control aspects of the JFK case, and your mention of a magician brings that aspect quickly to mind. Gene

Steve: Sorry for the few months of delay, but I'm back into the Belknap episode. As with other posts, I feel this event is highly coincidental and worthy of deeper research. I appreciate your information from the Mary Ferrell records. It seems the ambulance arrived very quickly in this instance... having had a daughter who is prone to seizures and had a few (where we needed 911 EMT response), an ambulance arriving within 5 minutes seems like a world record. I wonder who called it, and how it arrived so promptly? Would the driver be known, on the record, and have some insights to share? Mr. Belknap could still be alive (at 67) today... I wonder if anyone's ever followed through on interviewing him, or getting additional information. Other Forum readers have offered that the distraction theory is analogous to a magician's slight of hand technique. Couple this with the reports of false alarm calls to the same ambulance company for this location in the week prior(ref. L. Hancock book and response), and i think you have a sinister anecdote beyond mere coincidence. One could speculate/challenge the seemingly straightforward story of a prior car accident, head injury, medication etc. All facts easily corroborated, albeit 50 years later. Do you have any additional thoughts or information relative to Belknap? Gene

On the day of JFK's assassination, Belknap was 23 andworking part time in the Dallas Morning News mail room. He lived on Ross St. in Irving. He rode the bus in to watch the motorcade. He didn't have epilepsy, but had bee in a car accident and suffered a head injury which caused him to have fainting spells if he didn't take his medication at least three times a day. Due to the excitement of JFK's visit, he had forgotten to take his medication, and had fainted. You can read his FBI interview here: http://www.maryferrell.org/mffweb/archive/...mp;relPageId=16 It's CD 1245 pp. 8 - 10. Steve Thomas

James/Larry: Sorry for the delay of a few months. The Belknap incident seems worthy of more investigation. Are you aware of anyone who's pushed further into this? I repeat some of my earlier questions and comments: - where is he today - was he truly seizure-prone - the ambulance at that location and time is a huge coincidence - he (and his records) seem to have too easily 'escaped' Parkland Hosp. - would the ambulance driver have any strange insight - are there pictures of the pickup (many cameras were poised, 2-3 minutes before JFK arrived) - why was he dressed in fatigues - any FOIA/AARB records from FBI inquiries into fake calls I could add a hundred additional questions... this just seems an amazing coincidence, and painfully interesting. Gene

My top ten: 1. Gary Underhill 2. Grant Stockdale 3. Dorothy Kilgallen 4. Hermonio Diaz 5. Johnny Rosselli 6. Jack Ruby 7. J. D. Tippet 8. William Sullivan 9. Mary Pinchot Meyer 10. David Ferrie

Dumb question from the uninformed... who/what is "SOB" man?

Lansdale sticks out... IMHO he's culpable. Historically, he disappears off of the radar screen after 1970. He's too low in the weeds; too quiet in the aftermath. He had motive and means.

Where is he today?

Lee: Excellent work... and compelling IMHO. Thanks for your persistent and detailed look at the Cancellare photo. The pickup truck sure has an interesting "profile" and location. Who were it's 'inhabitants'? I wonder why it has escaped investigatory interest all these years? No special prominence was ever applied by the WC or HSCA (or any notable researchers for that matter)... yet its presence and super-strange coincidence (i.e. 3 guys in a truck coincident with the most infamous assassination ever) escapes scrutiny. -- gene

Its also interesting that - given the scrutiny of so many different aspects of this case, including a multitude of subjects and endless leads - Jerry Belknap has never been interviewed or investigated. Perhaps James can come up with a picture. Wasn't he reported to have been dressed in military fatigues? I wonder if he was ever in the service... did he stay at the YMCA, or spend a lot of time in the library? Did he continue to work (part-time) in the Dallas News mail room? Did he leave town that same year?

Larry: I acknowledge that the episode is highly suggestive (i.e. innocent bystander mysteriously struck ill, with impeccable timing) so it draws us naturally into suspicion. Then we logically must admit there's no factual data to implicate Belknap, so maybe we're simply reading too much into this. But I'm reminded of quotes (by Dulles, Ian Fleming et al) about the role of "coincidence" in intelligence craft. I wonder where Jerry Belknap is today, why no deeper inquiries occurred. So - for me - there's no logical reason other than it just really feels out of balance... just intuitively wrong. My intuition tells me something contrived and insidious occurred with this assumed seizure. I also wonder who christened it as a 'seizure' since he appears to have made a quick recovery. Didn't this ambulance become the same one that took JFK's body to Air Force 1?-- gene

James: Any background on Jerry Belknap? Was he really epileptic, who did he work for, what ever happened to him? I had read that when he arrived at Parkland Hospital, he refused treatment and then disappeared. I hope he's not another strange, coincidental death in the ensuing years. As I recall (maybe Larry Hancock's book), there were a series of false alarms or calls to the ambulance company in the month prior to the assassination, implying a scheme to time how long an ambulance would respond to Elm and Houston. Perhaps the distraction was also aimed at occupying the ambulance from Parkland, so none would be available in the next half hour. While no investigatory proof is available, this seizure anecdote is another coincidence in this case that just 'feels' sinister. - gene