The Single Bullet Theory is a hypothesis presented by the Warren Commission in its investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. According to this theory, a single bullet, commonly known as the "magic bullet," caused all of the non-fatal wounds to both President Kennedy and Governor John Connally, who was riding in the same car.
The Single Bullet Theory is highly controversial and has been the subject of much criticism and scrutiny over the years. Some of the main criticisms and points of contention include:
Trajectory and Angle: Critics argue that the trajectory of the bullet, as described in the Single Bullet Theory, is physically implausible. The bullet would have had to make several improbable changes in direction to account for the wounds in both Kennedy and Connally.
Timing: The time interval between the shots needed to account for the events as described in the Single Bullet Theory is extremely short, leading some to question the feasibility of such rapid shots.
Bullet Condition: The bullet in question, known as Commission Exhibit 399 or CE 399, was found nearly pristine, despite supposedly causing multiple injuries. Some critics argue that such a condition is inconsistent with the damage it allegedly caused.
Zapruder Film Analysis: Analysis of the famous Zapruder film, which recorded the assassination, has led some researchers to conclude that the sequence of events proposed in the Single Bullet Theory does not align with the footage.
Eyewitness Testimonies: Eyewitness accounts of the shooting vary significantly, leading to questions about the accuracy and reliability of the testimony used to support the Single Bullet Theory.
Forensic Evidence: Some experts have questioned the forensic analysis used to support the Single Bullet Theory, arguing that it does not fully consider all the available evidence.
It's important to note that the Warren Commission concluded that the Single Bullet Theory was the most likely explanation based on the evidence available to them at the time. However, due to the complexity of the case and the passage of time, debates about the assassination and the Single Bullet Theory have continued for decades.
Ultimately, the question of the Single Bullet Theory's validity remains a matter of interpretation, and opinions on the matter can differ significantly among researchers, investigators, and the public.