Oswald's trial

WI Ruby failed to murder Lee Harvey Oswald.

Would the effect of Oswald's conviction have included reducing the number of conspiracy theories?
 
WI Ruby failed to murder Lee Harvey Oswald.

Would the effect of Oswald's conviction have included reducing the number of conspiracy theories?

Not necessarily; in fact, it might have fueled them even more. The trial would have had to be conducted in the most rigorous by-the-book fashion possible to minimize (notice I didn't say "avoid") accusations of bias; it's possible that it might have called for a rare so-called blue ribbon jury (which of course would have been sequestered for the duration). The least question would have led to wild speculation and rumors that the fix was in one way or the other...and then watch the conspiracies build.
 
Not necessarily; in fact, it might have fueled them even more. The trial would have had to be conducted in the most rigorous by-the-book fashion possible to minimize (notice I didn't say "avoid") accusations of bias; it's possible that it might have called for a rare so-called blue ribbon jury (which of course would have been sequestered for the duration). The least question would have led to wild speculation and rumors that the fix was in one way or the other...and then watch the conspiracies build.

AFAIK about blue ribbon juries, they wouldn't have been possible to use for Oswald's trial. My understanding is that they're made up of prominent citizens with a particular knowledge about the subject at hand. This would obviously disrupt the whole "judgment by one's peers" thing, and it'd probably heighten the legitimacy of the conspiracy theories as well.
 
It might make Garrison (DA in the Oliver Stone movie JFK) less interested in bringing a guy to court. And more focus on Oswalds personality would give more attention to his defection to Soviet Russia. So less blaming the CIA and more blaming of the KGB...
 
It might make Garrison (DA in the Oliver Stone movie JFK) less interested in bringing a guy to court. And more focus on Oswalds personality would give more attention to his defection to Soviet Russia. So less blaming the CIA and more blaming of the KGB...


This has the amusing possibility of getting various Soviet KGB officials to tip at least something at the trial--probably something to reveal just what a wacko he was.

IN any case, Oswald is an unbelievable character. If he claims a set up, in the courts, how would that have worked out? Indeed, it's not possible for a single man to kill the US president. He would claim to be a patsy, and the Magic Bullet idea would be put to rest entirely.

If Oswald is able to prove he's a patsy, this whole thing might just melt down.

Or, more likely, Oswald commits "Suicide" sometime during the trial.
 
Oswald Plus vs Oswald Minus

JFK conspiracy theories fall into 2 categories---Oswald Plus where Oswald did indeed fire at Kennedy but there were either other gunmen as well and/or some higher up (incl. Manchurian candidate theories). Oswald Minus means Oswald was completely innocent---well at least of Kennedy's murder, Officer JD Tippett is very problematic in these theories (which is why he is not mentioned at all in Executive Action)

Oswald Minus theories are more popular than Oswald Plus theories OTL. I have a theory of my own that a sort of Inverse Ockam's Razor rules Conspiracy Theories. It would be noted though that Garrison was pursuing an Oswald Plus theory.

Getting back to the WI, I think an Oswald trial would hurt Oswald Minus theories badly but might actually help Oswald Plus theories. I could see some possibility that between sentencing and execution Oswald suddenly tries to save himself by offering to talk about the "other guys". This offer is refused and he's executed giving conspiracy theorists a field day.
 
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