Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Walker Bullet Examination

Joseph D. Nicol, superintendent of the Illinois Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, independently examined the bullet that struck General Walker and concluded there was a “fair probability” it was fired from Oswald’s rifle. Nicol distinguished his approach from the FBI’s more conservative policy, arguing that in the absence of clear negative evidence, it was permissible to state that the bullet probably came from the weapon without claiming exclusion of all other firearms. The Commission acknowledged that neither expert could assert identification to the exclusion of all other rifles, but found Nicol’s testimony probative when combined with other evidence linking Oswald to the shooting.

Additional Corroborative Evidence

Marina Oswald’s account of her husband’s admissions was corroborated by several independent facts. A note and photographs of Walker’s house and nearby railroad tracks matched her description of the planning. Marina testified that Oswald postponed the attempt until Wednesday because he wanted people present to mask his arrival and departure, and church officials confirmed that Wednesday services were regularly held. Marina also stated that Oswald used a bus to return home, and bus route analysis confirmed that multiple routes would have allowed him to reach Walker’s house or the railroad tracks where the rifle may have been concealed.

Conclusion on Walker Shooting Attempt

Based on four elements—the April 10, 1963 note to Marina, the recovered photographs, firearms identification expert testimony, and Marina Oswald’s testimony—the Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald attempted to take the life of Major General Edwin A. Walker on April 10, 1963. While the Commission regarded this finding as having probative value in its investigation, its ultimate conclusion about the identity of President Kennedy’s assassin rested on evidence independent of the Walker attempt.