What did the condition of the bullet suggest about JFK’s assassination? This question has been a topic of intense debate and speculation for decades. The condition of the bullet, known as Commission Exhibit 399, has provided valuable insights into the nature of the shooting and the possible trajectory of the bullet that felled President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
The bullet in question was found at the Texas School Book Depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald was later identified as the assassin. The condition of the bullet has been meticulously examined by numerous experts, including ballistics analysts and forensic scientists. The bullet was found to be in a fragmentary state, which has led to various theories regarding its trajectory and the number of shots fired.
One theory suggests that the bullet was fired at a downward angle, indicating that it may have entered the president’s upper back and exited through his throat. This would suggest that the shot was fired from a higher position than initially thought, possibly from the sixth floor of the Depository. However, this theory has been challenged by others who argue that the bullet’s fragmentary state could have been caused by other factors, such as the bullet striking a hard surface or the bullet’s own internal pressure upon exiting the president’s body.
Another theory posits that the bullet was fired at a horizontal angle, which would mean that it entered the president’s upper back and exited through his chest. This theory suggests that the bullet may have struck the president’s suit or a piece of clothing, causing it to fragment upon impact. This would also imply that the shot was fired from a higher position than previously believed.
The condition of the bullet has also raised questions about the number of shots fired. Some experts believe that the bullet was fired from a second location, possibly from the grassy knoll, which is a hill located to the president’s right. This theory is supported by the presence of a second bullet fragment found near the grassy knoll. However, other experts argue that the bullet’s fragmentary state can be explained by a single shot fired from the Depository.
The condition of the bullet, as well as the various theories surrounding its trajectory and the number of shots fired, continues to be a subject of intense debate. The assassination of President Kennedy remains one of the most mysterious events in American history, and the condition of the bullet is just one piece of the puzzle that has yet to be fully unraveled. As the debate continues, the condition of the bullet will likely remain a focal point in the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding JFK’s assassination.
