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

第六章

This chapter presents the Warren Commission’s findings on whether Lee Harvey Oswald had accomplices in the planning or execution of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. It responds to widespread post-assassination conspiracy rumors, notes the significant investigative challenges stemming from Oswald’s death and limitations on accessing foreign evidence, and outlines the chapter’s coverage of conspiracy investigation, assassination circumstances, motorcade route selection, Oswald’s presence in the Texas School Book Depository, his transport of the rifle into the building, and the question of accomplices at the assassination scene.

Investigation of Possible Conspiracy

The Commission investigated every rumor and allegation of a conspiracy linked to Oswald, including claims he received support from domestic political groups across the ideological spectrum or foreign governments (specifically Cuba’s Castro regime and the Soviet Union). It scrutinized Oswald’s activities, writings, and possessions for evidence of espionage or coordination with others, tested all relevant evidence for potential fabrication or bias, and received support from federal agencies including the CIA, FBI, and State Department. All information the Commission relied on for its conclusions is included in the report, with only confidential source identities withheld in rare cases. The Commission also explored Oswald’s pre-assassination activities (including his 1959 defection to the Soviet Union, contacts with communist and socialist groups, visits to Cuban and Soviet embassies in Mexico City, and ties to Russian-speaking community members in Dallas, as well as potential connections to right-wing Dallas activity critical of President Kennedy) and investigated whether Jack Ruby was part of a broader assassination conspiracy.