Chaos and Conspiracy

Conspiracy theorists often cite Governor Connally’s belief that he was struck by a separate bullet from President Kennedy as proof of a larger plot. While Connally’s experience as a hunter lends him familiarity with firearms, it doesn’t make him an expert on gunshot wounds, nor does it guarantee infallible memory in a highly traumatic situation.

History illustrates this point. President Reagan himself didn’t realize he’d been hit until Secret Service Agent Jerry Parr swiftly intervened, likely saving his life. Connally’s honest misperception likely stems from similar shock and confusion. Just as the Parkland doctors initially focused on the visible throat wound in their desperate attempts to save President Kennedy, the sheer stress of the assassination can understandably distort recollections.

Unfortunately, conspiracy theorists exploit these understandable discrepancies to undermine legitimate evidence. They prioritize isolated statements like Connally’s, dismissing the wealth of physical evidence and the overwhelming probability of a single bullet’s trajectory. In essence, they reverse the process of investigation – starting with a desired conclusion and cherry-picking details to support it, rather than objectively weighing all available information.