JFK The Enduring Secret

Latest Episodes:

Episode 192 The Secret Service Question Part 3 Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Episode 192 is the third in a mini- series wander covering the Secret Service and their possible involvement in the coverup or the actual plot itself to assassinate President Kennedy. Today's episode covers the next section of chapter 8 in the Warren Commission Report dealing with what the Secret Service and the FBI knew about Oswald prior to the assassination. Chapter 8 generally addresses the Secret Service role in protecting the president and pertinent facts around their conduct in Dallas. Recent events, including the pending publication of the book by former Secret Service agent Paul Landis, have given rise to renewed interest in this topic. Mr. Landis is 88 years old land he was an agent who was there in Dallas on November 22nd and participated in the motorcade protection. He now claims to be the person who left the bullet on the stretcher at Parkland. His claims have sparked a great deal of renewed debate about the shooters in the plaza, but rather than evaluate Mr. Landis' claim at this time, we are using this period of renewed interest to reassess the role of the secret service overall in the assassination story. It is no secret that there was a massive failure of protection by the Secret Service which contributed heavily to the death of the President. But the seminal question of whether this was poor planning ,or poor performance, versus something more sinister, have never been fully resolved. The inner workings of the secret service are just that...they are secret...and not much has been said by the agents outside of the official agency position.... since the assassination, but at least one man Vince Palamara is widely considered to be the resident expert on how the Secret Service figures into the assassination story. Mr. Palamara has done more original research on this topic than anyone else. So these next few episodes will give us a chance to better understand this often over looked aspect of the assassination story.
Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it, were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.

Episode 191 The Secret Service Question Part 2 Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Episode 191 is the second in a mini- series wander covering the Secret Service and their possible involvement in the coverup or the actual plot itself to assassinate President Kennedy. Today's episode covers the initial section of chapter 8 in the Warren Commission Report. Chapter 8 addresses the Secret Service role in protecting the president and pertinent facts around their conduct in Dallas. Recent events, including the pending publication of the book by former Secret Service agent Paul Landis, have given rise to renewed interest in this topic. Mr. Landis is 88 years old land he was an agent who was there in Dallas on November 22nd and participated in the motorcade protection. He now claims to be the person who left the bullet on the stretcher at Parkland. His claims have sparked a great deal of renewed debate about the shooters in the plaza, but rather than evaluate Mr. Landis' claim at this time, we are using this period of renewed interest to reassess the role of the secret service overall in the assassination story. It is no secret that there was a massive failure of protection by the Secret Service which contributed heavily to the death of the President. But the seminal question of whether this was poor planning ,or poor performance, versus something more sinister, have never been fully resolved. The inner workings of the secret service are just that...they are secret...and not much has been said by the agents outside of the official agency position.... since the assassination, but at least one man Vince Palamara is widely considered to be the resident expert on how the Secret Service figures into the assassination story. Mr. Palamara has done more original research on this topic than anyone else. So these next few episodes will give us a chance to better understand this often over looked aspect of the assassination story.
Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it, were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.

Episode 190 The Secret Service Question Part 1 Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Episode 190 is the first in a mini- series wander covering the Secret Service and their possible involvement in the coverup or the actual plot itself to assassinate President Kennedy. Recent events, including the pending publication of the book by former Secret Service agent Paul Landis, have given rise to renewed interest in this topic. Mr. Landis is 88 years old land he was an agent who was there in Dallas on November 22nd and participated in the motorcade protection. He now claims to be the person who left the bullet on the stretcher at Parkland. His claims have sparked a great deal of renewed debate about the shooters in the plaza, but rather than evaluate Mr. Landis' claim at this time, we are using this period of renewed interest to reassess the role of the secret service overall in the assassination story. It is no secret that there was a massive failure of protection by the Secret Service which contributed heavily to the death of the President. But the seminal question of whether this was poor planning ,or poor performance, versus something more sinister, have never been fully resolved. The inner workings of the secret service are just that...they are secret...and not much has been said by the agents outside of the official agency position.... since the assassination, but at least one man Vince Palamara is widely considered to be the resident expert on how the Secret Service figures into the assassination story. Mr. Palamara has done more original research on this topic than anyone else. So these next few episodes will give us a chance to better understand this often over looked aspect of the assassination story.
Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it, were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.

Episode 189 The Reverend Raymond Broshears Part 2 Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Episode 189 is the second and last in a two part mini- series wander covering the Reverend Raymond Broshears. In today's final mini-series "wander" episode, we present Broshears' taped audio deposition that he gave to the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA). Broshears was one of the most bizarre witnesses that surfaced during the Garrison investigation. He met David Ferrie in New Orleans and became rather good friends with him. They were sexual partners as well. According to the story that the good Reverend told back in the day, Ferrie confided in Broshears after the fact, regarding his involvement in the assassination plot to kill the president, with Ferrie participating as the pilot who was to fly two of the assassins out of the country. The two men were purportedly the shooters who were situated on the Grassy Knoll. The assassins changed the plan and apparently escaped by others means, thereby eliminating the need for Ferrie to fly them out of the country. Broshears was a homosexual who was also an ordained minister. Among his many notable notable assertions, he claimed to have had sex with Lee Harvey Oswald. After a sordid period of his life in which he was charged with sex crimes involving a minor, he would make his way to New Orleans and begin a tail that you will hear in these two episodes and capped off by today's rendering of his testimony to the House Select Committee on Assassinations which occurred some ten years after his interviews with the Garrison team. After 1965, he moved to California in search of a new start in his life, and ended up as a rather controversial figure out there. Broshears appeared on a local Southern California television show, where he revealed the startling fact that he knew Ferrie and he told the story rather matter of factly to the television audience regarding what Ferrie told him of his involvement in the assassination. The show happened to be watched by a Garrison investigator living in the area, and Garrison and his team immediately moved to interview Broshears. Four interviews were conducted, including two which took place in New Orleans. However, Garrison and his team, while they believed Broshears was telling the truth about the basic facts related to Ferrie, declined to use him in the Clay Shaw trial. Listen to these two episodes combined , and I think you will understand why. Even so, he is an important part of the history of the investigation, and we leave it up to you as a juror to determine which parts of his testimony may be credible.
Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it, were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.

Episode 188 The Reverend Raymond Broshears Part 1 Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Episode 188 is the first in a two part mini- series wander covering the Reverend Raymond Broshears. Broshears was one of the most bizarre witnesses that surfaced during the Garrison investigation. He met David Ferrie in New Orleans and became rather good friends with him. They were sexual partners as well. According to the story that the good Reverend told back in the day, Ferrie confided in Broshears after the fact, regarding his involvement in the assassination plot to kill the president, with Ferrie participating as the pilot who was to fly two of the assassins out of the country. The two men were purportedly the shooters who were situated on the Grassy Knoll. The assassins changed the plan and apparently escaped by others means, thereby eliminating the need for Ferrie to fly them out of the country. Broshears was a homosexual who was also an ordained minister. Among his many notable notable assertions, he claimed to have had sex with Lee Harvey Oswald. After a sordid period of his life in which he was charged with sex crimes involving a minor, he would make his way to New Orleans and begin a tail that you will hear in this episode and capped off by his testimony to the House Select Committee on Assassinations some ten years after his interviews with the Garrison team. After 1965, he moved to California in search of a new start in his life, and ended up as a rather controversial figure out there. Broshears appeared on a local Southern California television show, where he revealed the startling fact that he knew Ferrie and he told the story rather matter of factly to the television audience of what Ferrie told him of his involvement in the assassination. The show happened to be watched by a Garrison investigator living in the area, and Garrison and his team immediately moved to interview Broshears. Four interviews were conducted, including two which took place in New Orleans. However, Garrison and his team, while they believed Broshears was telling the truth about the basic facts related to Ferrie, declined to use him in the Clay Shaw trial. Listen to this episode, which includes the audio from that original television appearance, and I think you will understand why. Even so, he is an important part of the history of the investigation and we leave it up to you as a juror to determine which parts of his testimony may be credible.
Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it, were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.

Episode 187 Richard Case Nagell Part 5 Bonus Episode 3 Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

Episode 187 is the fifth and final in a multi-part series covering Richard Case Nagell. This is third bonus episode as well, and it may be the the most interesting one yet. Addressing the Eroshkin incident, the Luma Hotel, and the death of Marine Emmett Dugan. Richard Case Nagell was a highly decorated United States Army veteran, counterintelligence officer, and former CIA Double Agent for a brief period with ties to Russia. Nagell was arrested on September 20, 1963 after he entered the State National Bank in El Paso, Texas and fired two shots into a wall at the bank. After firing the 45 calibre pistol, Nagel allowed himself to be taken into custody at the bank. Nagell had observed and then penetrated a group that included Lee Harvey Oswald and learned that they were planning the assassination of President Kennedy. Working as a double agent, he refused to execute the orders given by his Russian handler which was to foil the assassination plot by convincing Oswald that he was being set up as a patsy or, in the event he was not successful in doing that, to kill Oswald instead. Shortly before the bank incident, Nagell sent a letter to J. Edgar Hoover exposing the plot. Not surprisingly, the letter was never acknowledged by the FBI. Nagell met twice with New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison who at the time was investigating Clay Shaw's possible complicity in the assassination. The famous character Mr. X in Oliver Stone’s movie JFK is modeled after Richard Case Nagell. Nagell, like so many other characters in the JFK story, had a fascinating life and he first crossed paths with Oswald while Oswald was stationed in Japan at Atsugi Air Force Base. He would survive two military airplane crashes but the injuries sustained in the most serious of the two crashes were later hypothesized to have possibly impacted his mental health and they were the subject of an intense examination during his criminal trial related to the bank charges. Nagell died at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, California...one day after receiving his subpoena to appear before the Assassination Records Review Board. It would have been his first ever appearance under oath to discuss what he knew about the assassination. Previously, he had not testified or given statements about it to any government arm that was officially investigating the assassination. Although he officially died of a heart attack, he had no previous history of heart problems and is included in that dubious category of mysterious deaths that occurred amongst witnesses in the aftermath of the assassination.

Richard Case Nagell may be the single most fascinating character in the JFK story, and Nagell's story is yet another moment where fact is stranger than fiction in the case of the JFK assassination. Come join us for this multi-part series covering one of the most interesting story tells contained in our podcast series.
Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it, were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.

Episode 186 Richard Case Nagell Part 4 Bonus Episode 2 Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

Episode 186 is the fourth in a multi-part series covering Richard Case Nagell. This is our second bonus episode and it addresses the perspective that Nagell's trial lawyer Joe Calamia had on his legal proceedings...and the strategy for a defense at the second trial. Nagell's lawyers settled on a temporary insanity plea, after unsuccessfully arguing to both their client and to the court, that Nagell was insane...and thus, should be hospitalized and not prosecuted and incarcerated. The legal machinations by his lawyers to free him from prison using these tactics, served to muddy the water about Nagell's true psychiatric state. Today, we hear the story of Joe Calamia in the case and his perspective, which may provide additional insight into Nagell's mental state around that time in 1963. Richard Case Nagell was a highly decorated United States Army veteran, counterintelligence officer, and former CIA Double Agent for a brief period with ties to Russia. Nagell was arrested on September 20, 1963 after he entered the State National Bank in El Paso, Texas and fired two shots into a wall at the bank. After firing the 45 calibre pistol, Nagel allowed himself to be taken into custody at the bank. Nagell had observed and then penetrated a group that included Lee Harvey Oswald and learned that they were planning the assassination of President Kennedy. Working as a double agent, he refused to execute the orders given by his Russian handler which was to foil the assassination plot by convincing Oswald that he was being set up as a patsy or, in the event he was not successful in doing that, to kill Oswald instead. Shortly before the bank incident, Nagell sent a letter to J. Edgar Hoover exposing the plot. Not surprisingly, the letter was never acknowledged by the FBI. Nagell met twice with New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison who at the time was investigating Clay Shaw's possible complicity in the assassination. The famous character Mr. X in Oliver Stone’s movie JFK is modeled after Richard Case Nagell. Nagell, like so many other characters in the JFK story, had a fascinating life and he first crossed paths with Oswald while Oswald was stationed in Japan at Atsugi Air Force Base. He would survive two military airplane crashes but the injuries sustained in the most serious of the two crashes were later hypothesized to have possibly impacted his mental health and they were the subject of an intense examination during his criminal trial related to the bank charges. Nagell died at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, California...one day after receiving his subpoena to appear before the Assassination Records Review Board. It would have been his first ever appearance under oath to discuss what he knew about the assassination. Previously, he had not testified or given statements about it to any government arm that was officially investigating the assassination. Although he officially died of a heart attack, he had no previous history of heart problems and is included in that dubious category of mysterious deaths that occurred amongst witnesses in the aftermath of the assassination.

Episode 185 Richard Case Nagell Part 3 Bonus Episode 1 Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Episode 185 is the third in a multi-part series covering Richard Case Nagell. This is our first bonus episode and it covers several important topics in a bit greater detail. Bonus episodes provide a deeper understanding of material already addressed. Today, we discuss the horrific plane crash that handed him is life changing injuries, the letters he wrote to J. Edgar Hoover and some details related to the bank incident itself that may provide additional insight into what his intentions were that day. Richard Case Nagell was a highly decorated United States Army veteran, counterintelligence officer, and former CIA Double Agent for a brief period with ties to Russia. Nagell was arrested on September 20, 1963 after he entered the State National Bank in El Paso, Texas and fired two shots into a wall at the bank. After firing the 45 calibre pistol, Nagel allowed himself to be taken into custody at the bank. Nagell had observed and then penetrated a group that included Lee Harvey Oswald and learned that they were planning the assassination of President Kennedy. Working as a double agent, he refused to execute the orders given by his Russian handler which was to foil the assassination plot by convincing Oswald that he was being set up as a patsy or, in the event he was not successful in doing that, to kill Oswald instead. Shortly before the bank incident, Nagell sent a letter to J. Edgar Hoover exposing the plot. Not surprisingly, the letter was never acknowledged by the FBI. Nagell met twice with New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison who at the time was investigating Clay Shaw's possible complicity in the assassination. The famous character Mr. X in Oliver Stone’s movie JFK is modeled after Richard Case Nagell. Nagell, like so many other characters in the JFK story, had a fascinating life and he first crossed paths with Oswald while Oswald was stationed in Japan at Atsugi Air Force Base. He would survive two military airplane crashes but the injuries sustained in the most serious of the two crashes were later hypothesized to have possibly impacted his mental health and they were the subject of an intense examination during his criminal trial related to the bank charges. Nagell died at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, California...one day after receiving his subpoena to appear before the Assassination Records Review Board. It would have been his first ever appearance under oath to discuss what he knew about the assassination. Previously, he had not testified or given statements about it to any government arm that was officially investigating the assassination. Although he officially died of a heart attack, he had no previous history of heart problems and is included in that dubious category of mysterious deaths that occurred amongst witnesses in the aftermath of the assassination.

Episode 184 Richard Case Nagell Part 2 Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

Episode 184 is the second in a multi-part series covering Richard Case Nagell. This episode follows our opening overview in Episode 183 and is comprehensive chronology of Nagell's life through the bank incident. Nagell was a highly decorated United States Army veteran, counterintelligence officer, and former CIA Double Agent for a brief period with ties to Russia. Nagell was arrested on September 20, 1963 after he entered the State National Bank in El Paso, Texas and fired two shots into a wall at the bank. After firing the 45 calibre pistol, Nagel allowed himself to be taken into custody at the bank. Nagell had observed and then penetrated a group that included Lee Harvey Oswald and learned that they were planning the assassination of President Kennedy. Working as a double agent, he refused to execute the orders given by his Russian handler which was to foil the assassination plot by convincing Oswald that he was being set up as a patsy or, in the event he was not successful in doing that, to kill Oswald instead. Shortly before the bank incident, Nagell sent a letter to J. Edgar Hoover exposing the plot. Not surprisingly, the letter was never acknowledged by the FBI. Nagell met twice with New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison who at the time was investigating Clay Shaw's possible complicity in the assassination. The famous character Mr. X in Oliver Stone’s movie JFK is modeled after Richard Case Nagell. Nagell, like so many other characters in the JFK story, had a fascinating life and he first crossed paths with Oswald while Oswald was stationed in Japan at Atsugi Air Force Base. He would survive two military airplane crashes but the injuries sustained in the most serious of the two crashes were later hypothesized to have possibly impacted his mental health and they were the subject of an intense examination during his criminal trial related to the bank charges. Nagell died at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, California...one day after receiving his subpoena to appear before the Assassination Records Review Board. It would have been his first ever appearance under oath to discuss what he knew about the assassination. Previously, he had not testified or given statements about it to any government arm that was officially investigating the assassination. Although he officially died of a heart attack, he had no previous history of heart problems and is included in that dubious category of mysterious deaths that occurred amongst witnesses in the aftermath of the assassination.

Episode 183 Richard Case Nagell Part 1 Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Episode 183 is the first in a multi-part series covering Richard Case Nagell. Nagell was a highly decorated United States Army veteran, counterintelligence officer, and former CIA Double Agent for a brief period with ties to Russia. Nagell was arrested on September 20, 1963 after he entered the State National Bank in El Paso, Texas and fired two shots into a wall at the bank. After firing the 45 calibre pistol, Nagel allowed himself to be taken into custody at the bank. Nagell had observed and then penetrated a group that included Lee Harvey Oswald and learned that they were planning the assassination of President Kennedy. Working as a double agent, he refused to execute the orders given by his Russian handler which was to foil the assassination plot by convincing Oswald that he was being set up as a patsy or, in the event he was not successful in doing that, to kill Oswald instead. Shortly before the bank incident, Nagell sent a letter to J. Edgar Hoover exposing the plot. Not surprisingly, the letter was never acknowledged by the FBI. Nagell met twice with New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison who at the time was investigating Clay Shaw's possible complicity in the assassination. The famous character Mr. X in Oliver Stone’s movie JFK is modeled after Richard Case Nagell. Nagell, like so many other characters in the JFK story, had a fascinating life and he first crossed paths with Oswald while Oswald was stationed in Japan at Atsugi Air Force Base. He would survive two military airplane crashes but the injuries sustained in the most serious of the two crashes were later hypothesized to have possibly impacted his mental health and they were the subject of an intense examination during his criminal trial related to the bank charges. Nagell died at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, California...one day after receiving his subpoena to appear before the Assassination Records Review Board. It would have been his first ever appearance under oath to discuss what he knew about the assassination. Previously, he had not testified or given statements about it to any government arm that was officially investigating the assassination. Although he officially died of a heart attack, he had no previous history of heart problems and is included in that dubious category of mysterious deaths that occurred amongst witnesses in the aftermath of the assassination.

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