Judges to discuss JFK assassination, Warren Report

It will be 52 years this Nov. 22 since President John F. Kennedy was killed by an assassin’s bullets while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas.

That date also marks the beginning of an incalculable number of conspiracy theories as to who and what (organization) was responsible for the president’s tragic death. Such theories abound despite overwhelming evidence that a young man named Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone, fired the shots that killed Kennedy.

Included in the conspiracy material is the movie "JFK." The ridiculous scenarios put forth in Oliver Stone's 1991 film have scarred a generation with their imaginary assumptions and conspiratorial conclusions. Sadly, it’s been far easier to watch a two-hour movie with a big name cast than to read actual history books based on extensive research by scholars proving that Oswald was the lone assassin.

I’ve been a student of the assassination since I listened to the events of that day unfolding on my car radio as I drove home from an out-of-town business trip. My interest in it has never waned. There are many like me, leading some of us to get together on a regular basis to review all the facts of the case to renew or even change our conclusions. Our group is led by Judge Brendan Sheehan. Most of its eight to 12 members are judges and lawyers.

Our members include retired Judge Burt W. Griffin who served on the Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court for over 25 years. As a young lawyer in 1964, he was appointed as a staff attorney for the Warren Commission – formed by President Lyndon Johnson to fully investigate the assassination. (The commission issued its extensive Warren Commission Report – finding Oswald to be the lone gunman – in 1964.)

Another key member of our group is retired Judge C. Ellen Connally who served on the Cleveland Municipal Court for 24 years and as the first president of the Cuyahoga County Council. Judge Connally is a lifetime student of American history, politics with special interest in presidential assassinations, especially JFK’s.

Judges Griffin and Connally will present a program on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., at Westlake Porter Public Library on the Kennedy assassination, sharing their research and experiences on what arguably was the crime of the 20th century. They will present the facts of what really happened.

Ellen will review and put in context the facts of the assassination while Burt will provide his insights into the work of the Warren Commission and the work it did in reaching its historic conclusions. Burt’s specific duties focused on Jack Ruby – who killed Oswald, creating even more conspiracy theories. This event is a unique opportunity to hear the truth from a member of our country’s most famous and important commission.

The program includes time for attendees’ questions – the presenters will have the answers. I’m looking forward to attending. I hope to see you there too.