Post by Rob Caprio on Mar 7, 2022 20:39:28 GMT -5
All portions ©️ Robert Caprio 2006-2024
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The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) reviewed a number of films and photographs regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK). One photograph in particular is the focus of this post.
The HSCA says…The Phillip Willis Photograph.
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The HSCA gave us the following details about the Willis #5 photograph.
Quote on
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0064a.gif
(291) The Willis No. 5 photograph was taken from the south side of Elm Street, near the intersection of Houston and Elm Streets.
(292) The time at which the Willis and Moorman photographs were taken is, however, difficult to establish...The Willis photograph appears to have been taken several seconds earlier, at approximately Zapruder frame 202. (HSCA VI, p. 121)
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0064a.htm
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This tells us that Willis was standing to the left of his presidential limousine and that he probably took the photograph in question a few seconds before the fatal head shot that killed JFK.
The HSCA then gives us an overview of photograph itself.
Quote on
(293) Preliminary visual inspection of the Willis photograph showed extensive blurring of all features of the picture near the retaining wall on top of the grassy knoll. The blurring is most clearly seen in the freeway sign, which is in the line of sight between the retaining wall and the Willis camera. (See fig. IV-7, JFK exhibit F-155.) It was caused by motion that was complex and not uniform over the entire image. The Panel judged that the motion was probably a combination of rotation about a point to the lower left of the optical axis, and that a component of linear translation (that is, motion in a straight line) in the motion was also possible. (Ibid.)
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Willis #5 was a color photograph and it displayed some blurriness throughout it. The photographic panel of the HSCA analyzed Willis #5 to see if there was a human figure on the retaining wall. Here is #5 for your review (Willis #5 entered as Hudson Exhibit #1 is better quality).
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh20/pages/WH_Vol20_0102a.jpg
Here is what the HSCA said about this color photograph after examination by their panel.
Quote on
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0064b.jpg
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.jpg
(295) The retaining wall at the top of the knoll was subsequently enlarged by a computer operation similar to enlargement by photo-optical and photo-chemical techniques. This computer display made visible an object whose size and shape were CONSISTENT with a HUMAN being, positioned just inside the retaining wall. (See Fig. IV-8, JFK Exhibit F-160.) The object possessed colors with a distinct resemblance to flesh tones, as revealed on the color display. The Panel perceived the object to be that of a badly blurred IMAGE OF A PERSON, dressed in dark clothing, standing or leaning just inside the retaining wall.
(301) Based on these measurements, as well as visual analysis, the Panel concludes that the object was most probably of an adult person standing behind the wall. First, the general shape and the structure of the object, including the location of flesh tones, appear to be human. Second,.the height of the object in relation to the known height of the wall is consistent with that of an adult of average height (5’6” to 6’ tall). Third, the measured value of flesh tones of the object are comparable with those of people in the photograph. Fourth, an additional Willis photograph, No. 6 taken after the Presidential limousine had exited Dealey Plaza but showing approximately the same field of view as No. 5, NO LONGER SHOWS THE OBJECT near the retaining wall, or anywhere else; it has disappeared. (See Fig. IV-9.) The MOBILITY of the object GREATLY INCREASES the likelihood of its being a person.(HSCA, VI, pp. 122 & 124) (Emphasis added)
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0064b.htm
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.htm
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Willis #5 & #6:
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh21/pages/WH_Vol21_0397b.jpg
This is a very interesting stuff. The HSCA concluded a person was standing or leaning behind the retaining wall at the time of the shots. If you look at #5 you will see this angle is much more straight on than any shot from the picket fence could be, and thus, would account better for the head damage many witnesses saw to the right-rear of JFK’s head.
The panel would then try to confirm flesh tone on the figure behind the retaining wall.
Quote on
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0065a.jpg
(297) The next computer processing step was to make measurements of the color values of the object, behind the retaining wall in order to compare the perceived flesh tones with those of a person at another location in the Willis photograph. The photograph was scanned in color: Separate measurements were made of the three primary colors, red, green and blue, from which other colors can be made.
(298) After scanning, an image analyst at the Aerospace Corp. viewed the image on a color video image display and positioned a computer-generated dot at those points where colors were to be measured. The computer then recorded the red, green, and blue values in the image at the dot's positions. A similar analysis was carried out at the University of Southern California.
(299) Regions measured at the Aerospace Corp. included the flesh tones of the object near the retaining wall and of Marilyn the secretary to Abraham Zapruder, who is visible in the Willis photograph. Sitzman's flesh tones were measured both in shadow and sunlight. At the University of Southern California flesh tones were used for the object at the retaining wall and for several people: A policeman, a bystander, and a child. In addition, measurements were made of Mrs. Kennedy's hat, which was pink in color and had a flesh tone appearance on the video display.
(300) The Aerospace Corp. measurements showed the flesh cones of the object near the retaining wall to be comparable to the known flesh tones of Zapruder's secretary. USC's measurements also showed similarity between the flesh tones of the object and those of known persons; however, the similarities were not as strong as those found Aerospace. The measurements of Mrs. Kennedy's hat were found to be distinguishable from the measurements of known flesh. Nevertheless, the differences of Mrs. Kennedy's hat from known flesh measurements were only marginally greater than differences of flesh tone measurements from each other. (HSCA VI, pp. 123-124)
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0065a.htm
Quote off
So the flesh tones of the retaining wall figure were comparable to those of Abraham Zapruder's secretary Marilyn Sitzman, thus, it was most likely a white person. There was also similarities between the flesh tone of the retaining wall figure and others in the photograph – i.e. policeman, bystander and a child.
Now the HSCA gave us their thoughts on the retaining wall figure.
Quote on
(301) Based on these measurements, as well as visual analysis, Panel concludes that the object was most probably an adult standing behind the wall. First, the general shape and structure the object, including the location of the flesh tones, appear to be human. The height of the object in relation to the known height of the consistent with that, of an adult of average height (5'6" to 6' tall). Third, the measured values of the flesh tones of the object are comparable with those of people in the photograph. Fourth, an additional Willis photograph, No. 6, taken after the Presidential limousine had exited Dealey Plaza but showing approximately the view as No. 5, no longer shows the object near the retaining wall, or anywhere else; it has disappeared. (See fig. IV-9.) mobility of the object greatly increases the likelihood of its being a person.
Fig. IV-9:
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.jpg
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0066a.jpg
(302) Since the panel concluded that the object was probably a person, the next question was whether there was any evidence of a weapon associated with this individual. Visible near the region of the hands is a very distinct straight-line feature extending from lower right to upper left. The panel notes, however, that the image is badly blurred in this region and that the, direction of lite blurring is the same as the southeast-northwest orientation of the linear feature near the hands. The blur would stretch any small point object on the wall into a linear object. As the blur could not be clarified, the panel could reach no conclusion as to the existence of a rifle or any other weapon in relation to the person standing behind the retaining walk. (HSCA VI, pp. 124-125)
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.htm
Quote off
Since this was most likely an adult human at the retaining wall at the time of the assassination, but gone as soon as it was over it isn't a stretch to think that this could've been an assassin.
It was certainly worth investigating, but as so many other things it never was.
What do you think? Was this black shape an assassin?
cdn.muckrock.com/news_images/2018/04/04/HSCA.jpg.1200x400_q85.jpg
dygtyjqp7pi0m.cloudfront.net/i/18132/17516217_5.jpg
The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) reviewed a number of films and photographs regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK). One photograph in particular is the focus of this post.
The HSCA says…The Phillip Willis Photograph.
****************************************
The HSCA gave us the following details about the Willis #5 photograph.
Quote on
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0064a.gif
(291) The Willis No. 5 photograph was taken from the south side of Elm Street, near the intersection of Houston and Elm Streets.
(292) The time at which the Willis and Moorman photographs were taken is, however, difficult to establish...The Willis photograph appears to have been taken several seconds earlier, at approximately Zapruder frame 202. (HSCA VI, p. 121)
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0064a.htm
Quote off
This tells us that Willis was standing to the left of his presidential limousine and that he probably took the photograph in question a few seconds before the fatal head shot that killed JFK.
The HSCA then gives us an overview of photograph itself.
Quote on
(293) Preliminary visual inspection of the Willis photograph showed extensive blurring of all features of the picture near the retaining wall on top of the grassy knoll. The blurring is most clearly seen in the freeway sign, which is in the line of sight between the retaining wall and the Willis camera. (See fig. IV-7, JFK exhibit F-155.) It was caused by motion that was complex and not uniform over the entire image. The Panel judged that the motion was probably a combination of rotation about a point to the lower left of the optical axis, and that a component of linear translation (that is, motion in a straight line) in the motion was also possible. (Ibid.)
Quote off
Willis #5 was a color photograph and it displayed some blurriness throughout it. The photographic panel of the HSCA analyzed Willis #5 to see if there was a human figure on the retaining wall. Here is #5 for your review (Willis #5 entered as Hudson Exhibit #1 is better quality).
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh20/pages/WH_Vol20_0102a.jpg
Here is what the HSCA said about this color photograph after examination by their panel.
Quote on
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0064b.jpg
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.jpg
(295) The retaining wall at the top of the knoll was subsequently enlarged by a computer operation similar to enlargement by photo-optical and photo-chemical techniques. This computer display made visible an object whose size and shape were CONSISTENT with a HUMAN being, positioned just inside the retaining wall. (See Fig. IV-8, JFK Exhibit F-160.) The object possessed colors with a distinct resemblance to flesh tones, as revealed on the color display. The Panel perceived the object to be that of a badly blurred IMAGE OF A PERSON, dressed in dark clothing, standing or leaning just inside the retaining wall.
(301) Based on these measurements, as well as visual analysis, the Panel concludes that the object was most probably of an adult person standing behind the wall. First, the general shape and the structure of the object, including the location of flesh tones, appear to be human. Second,.the height of the object in relation to the known height of the wall is consistent with that of an adult of average height (5’6” to 6’ tall). Third, the measured value of flesh tones of the object are comparable with those of people in the photograph. Fourth, an additional Willis photograph, No. 6 taken after the Presidential limousine had exited Dealey Plaza but showing approximately the same field of view as No. 5, NO LONGER SHOWS THE OBJECT near the retaining wall, or anywhere else; it has disappeared. (See Fig. IV-9.) The MOBILITY of the object GREATLY INCREASES the likelihood of its being a person.(HSCA, VI, pp. 122 & 124) (Emphasis added)
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0064b.htm
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.htm
Quote off
Willis #5 & #6:
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh21/pages/WH_Vol21_0397b.jpg
This is a very interesting stuff. The HSCA concluded a person was standing or leaning behind the retaining wall at the time of the shots. If you look at #5 you will see this angle is much more straight on than any shot from the picket fence could be, and thus, would account better for the head damage many witnesses saw to the right-rear of JFK’s head.
The panel would then try to confirm flesh tone on the figure behind the retaining wall.
Quote on
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0065a.jpg
(297) The next computer processing step was to make measurements of the color values of the object, behind the retaining wall in order to compare the perceived flesh tones with those of a person at another location in the Willis photograph. The photograph was scanned in color: Separate measurements were made of the three primary colors, red, green and blue, from which other colors can be made.
(298) After scanning, an image analyst at the Aerospace Corp. viewed the image on a color video image display and positioned a computer-generated dot at those points where colors were to be measured. The computer then recorded the red, green, and blue values in the image at the dot's positions. A similar analysis was carried out at the University of Southern California.
(299) Regions measured at the Aerospace Corp. included the flesh tones of the object near the retaining wall and of Marilyn the secretary to Abraham Zapruder, who is visible in the Willis photograph. Sitzman's flesh tones were measured both in shadow and sunlight. At the University of Southern California flesh tones were used for the object at the retaining wall and for several people: A policeman, a bystander, and a child. In addition, measurements were made of Mrs. Kennedy's hat, which was pink in color and had a flesh tone appearance on the video display.
(300) The Aerospace Corp. measurements showed the flesh cones of the object near the retaining wall to be comparable to the known flesh tones of Zapruder's secretary. USC's measurements also showed similarity between the flesh tones of the object and those of known persons; however, the similarities were not as strong as those found Aerospace. The measurements of Mrs. Kennedy's hat were found to be distinguishable from the measurements of known flesh. Nevertheless, the differences of Mrs. Kennedy's hat from known flesh measurements were only marginally greater than differences of flesh tone measurements from each other. (HSCA VI, pp. 123-124)
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0065a.htm
Quote off
So the flesh tones of the retaining wall figure were comparable to those of Abraham Zapruder's secretary Marilyn Sitzman, thus, it was most likely a white person. There was also similarities between the flesh tone of the retaining wall figure and others in the photograph – i.e. policeman, bystander and a child.
Now the HSCA gave us their thoughts on the retaining wall figure.
Quote on
(301) Based on these measurements, as well as visual analysis, Panel concludes that the object was most probably an adult standing behind the wall. First, the general shape and structure the object, including the location of the flesh tones, appear to be human. The height of the object in relation to the known height of the consistent with that, of an adult of average height (5'6" to 6' tall). Third, the measured values of the flesh tones of the object are comparable with those of people in the photograph. Fourth, an additional Willis photograph, No. 6, taken after the Presidential limousine had exited Dealey Plaza but showing approximately the view as No. 5, no longer shows the object near the retaining wall, or anywhere else; it has disappeared. (See fig. IV-9.) mobility of the object greatly increases the likelihood of its being a person.
Fig. IV-9:
historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.jpg
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/pages/HSCA_Vol6_0066a.jpg
(302) Since the panel concluded that the object was probably a person, the next question was whether there was any evidence of a weapon associated with this individual. Visible near the region of the hands is a very distinct straight-line feature extending from lower right to upper left. The panel notes, however, that the image is badly blurred in this region and that the, direction of lite blurring is the same as the southeast-northwest orientation of the linear feature near the hands. The blur would stretch any small point object on the wall into a linear object. As the blur could not be clarified, the panel could reach no conclusion as to the existence of a rifle or any other weapon in relation to the person standing behind the retaining walk. (HSCA VI, pp. 124-125)
www.historymatters.com/archive/jfk/hsca/reportvols/vol6/html/HSCA_Vol6_0065b.htm
Quote off
Since this was most likely an adult human at the retaining wall at the time of the assassination, but gone as soon as it was over it isn't a stretch to think that this could've been an assassin.
It was certainly worth investigating, but as so many other things it never was.
What do you think? Was this black shape an assassin?