Dismantling the Single Bullet Theory Pt 2_a

[James R Gordon]

The Criteria for the Single Bullet theory

If I may be pardoned, the simple view of the SBT theory is that the bullet entered at X point. Where on the back it enters varies depending on who presenting their views. Dale Myers uses the definition accepted by HCSA, the 14cm measure that Commander Humes defined. Then it travels through the body and exits at Y point. Again where point Y is depends on who is presenting. Of course each demonstrates how the trajectory does, or does not, leads onto John Connally and also leads back to the sixth floor window of the TSBD.

In simplistic terms that is how the theory is generally presented. What I have not seen is a presentation of what happens when the bullet travels through the back and neck and what obstacles face it. If you look at CE 385, it is a simple entry passage and exit, that is all it describes. There is no indication as to the problems that faced the bullet as it purportedly travelled through the neck.

So what are the 7 criteria for this bullet in order to satisfy the SBT?

1) That it enters higher than the exit point. CE 385 has it just above Costa 1 R bone.

WCH Vol 2 P. 361

“We ascertained physical measurements at the time of autopsy that this wound was 14cm from the tip of the mastoid process and 14 cm from the acromion was its central point.”

2) On its journey through the throat it must scrape the top of the right lung.

MD 3 Autopsy Report P. 5

“A 5cm diamater area of purplish red discoloration and increased firmness to palpation is situated in the apical portion of the right upper lobe.” + WCH Vol 2 P. 363 “As depicted in figure 385, in the apex of the right pleural cavity there was a bruise or contusion or eccmymosis of the parietal pleura as well as a bruise of the upper portion, the most apical portion of the right lung”

3) The bullet bruised the Strap muscles on the Right Hand Side.

MD 3 Autopsy Report P. 6

“there is considerable ecchymosis of the strap muscles of the right side of the neck”

4) The bullet did not damage any other organ as it made its way through the throat.

WCH Vol 2 P. 363

“it is our opinion that the missile traversed the neck and slid between these muscles and other vital structures with a course in the neck such as the carotid artery, the jugular vein and other structures because there was no massive hemmorhage or other massive in this portion of the neck.”

5) The bullet enter the Trachea.

WCH Vol 2 P. 363

“I am unable to say how much of the defect in the trachea was made by the knife of the surgeon, and how much of the defect was made by the missile wound.”

6) To exit the body between Trachea rings 3 and 4.

MD 3 Autopsy Report P. 3

“Situated on the anterior neck at approximately the level of the third and fourth tracheal rings is 6.5cm long transverse with widely gaping irregular edges.”

+ WCH Vol 2 P. 363

“I am unable to say how much of the defect in the trachea was made by the knife of the surgeon, and how much of the defect was made by the missile wound.”

7) To have caused no damage to any other bones in that region of the body.

MD 3 Autopsy Report P. 5

“Aside from the above described skull wounds there are no significant gross skeletal abnormalities,”

+ WCH Vol 2 P. 364

“The missile, to the best of our ability to ascertain, struck no bone protuberances, no bony prominences, no bones as it traversed the Presidents body.

In his autopsy report and testimony Commander Humes listed a series of items that had been damaged and linked them to the SBT. Therefore he defined exactly what damage the bullet created in the upper body of President Kennedy. They were:-

a) an entry hole in the upper back. Taking his testimony and the chart CE 386 it would appear that position had to be above the bone Costa IR

it created a bruise on the top of the right lung