Badge Man Response From Gary Mack

Several weeks ago, Paul J. Burke, 74656,2333, published a diagram purporting to show
Badge Man and JFK in Dealey Plaza and asking ". . .  could such a person stand on the
ground?" Burke's source, he admitted, was "Crossfire 90" published by Robert Cutler.

Both Burke and Cutler have grossly misrepresented the information I presented in the
1988 British documentary "The Men Who Killed Kennedy," seen in this country on the
A&E series "Investigative Reports." Since my discovery of the Badge Man image in 1982,
and subsequent efforts to enhance and corroborate the images (partially chronicled in
recent issues of The Fourth Decade), I have never claimed Badge Man was standing on
the ground. As a result of several on-site tests and restagings, including one by British
photoscientist Geoffrey Crawley for "The Men Who Killed Kennedy," Badge Man must
have stood either on a crossbrace on the back side of the fence, or on a car bumper or
station wagon tailgate. His belt would have been at least as high as the top of the five
foot fence, thus placing the rifle about two feet higher.

Burke's schematic drawing, derived from Cutler's studies, incorrectly suggests that Badge
Man's shot occurred at Zapruder frame 313. In fact, as mentioned in the British
documentary, the Moorman/Badge Man photo corresponds to 1/6 of a second after the
head shot, which means frames 315/316. By using superb Zapruder film on broadcast
tape, and rocking the image back and forth, analysis of JFK and Jackie's positions firmly
locates the moment of the Badge Man picture. At that time, JFK has definitely passed the
corner of the wall and is in the open for a clear shot from Badge Man. Did the bullet hit?
I don't know, and the photo can't tell us.

Two Los Angeles County sharpshooters, affiliated with the Sheriff's Department and hired
by Oliver Stone for advice on this very issue, told me the Badge Man position was
excellent and the momentary distraction of the wall was insignificant.

I wonder what sort of confusion Burke/Cutler are trying to create? Are they suggesting
Badge Man was stupid and stood where he couldn't fire a shot? Or are they suggesting
he could not have fired an earlier shot when the wall was not a factor?

Questions or comments should be forwarded to:

                                Gary Mack
                        4620 Brandingshire Place
                        Fort Worth, Texas  76133
                                    
May 2, 1994