Roger Craig
Paul Bleau's first chokehold is that "the official record impeaches the Warren Commission." He believes that: (page 38 in the Kindle edition of his book Chokeholds)
U.S. investigations into the assassination, statements made by investigation insiders and foreign government conclusions about the assassination prove that there is a strong consensus by the independent investigative authorities that there was a conspiracy in the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
Bleau's chapter then lists out a variety of statements that seemingly prove conspiracy. Of course, Bleau doesn't tell readers the full truth about these viewpoints.
Roger Craig -- Dallas Deputy Sheriff
Bleau Assertion: (pages 41 -42 in the Kindle edition)
Roger Craig was very well regarded up until the assassination. He was on duty and in Dealey Plaza at the time of the murder. In a number of interviews he explains what he witnessed on November 22, 1963: He was in the Book Depository when the alleged murder weapon was found which he confirmed to be a Mauser and not the Mannlicher-Carcano that the Warren Commission claimed Oswald owned. Furthermore, Craig said he had seen Oswald entering a station wagon a few minutes after the murder, which would contradict the Warren Commission’s chronology of Oswald’s movements and implicated a getaway driver—the following is part of his Warren Commission testimony:
David Belin: All right. Then, what did Captain Fritz say and what did you say and what did the suspect (Oswald) say?
Roger Craig: Captain Fritz then asked… “What about this station wagon?” And the suspect interrupted him and said, “That station wagon belongs to Mrs. Paine”… I believe that is what he said. “Don’t try to tie her into this. She had nothing to do with it.”
Craig’s description of the Rambler driver goes a long way in vindicating his account: He said that the man driving the vehicle was not a Negro but that he was dark-skinned—possibly Latin. His skin, he said, appeared to be very smooth. The driver had a powerful face, neck and shoulders. Craig repeatedly used the words “powerful” and “muscular” to describe his neck and shoulders.
The description of this escort comes up repeatedly in other sightings of Oswald with a stocky homunculus.
What Bleau Doesn't Tell You
Bleau doesn't discuss the credibility of Roger Craig. There is firm evidence that Oswald left the Depository in a bus and then a taxi. None of the officers present in Fritz's office back up Craig's story. Craig initially said the station wagon was a white Rambler but Ruth Pained owned a green Chevrolet.
As for Oswald's supposed escort, I have already written about the man with a scar. Here is a look at one of Bleau's supposed witnesses to an Oswald escort, and here is another supposed witness.
Previous Relevant Blog Posts on Roger Craig
Both Ferrell and Meagher didn't think much of Roger Craig.
Craig told Lane some really crazy stuff.
Roger Craig wrote a memo to Jim Garrison about Marina Oswald's doctor.
Garrison charges Edgar Eugene Bradley with conspiracy to kill JFK, and Roger Craig says that Bradley was the Secret Service man he encountered outside the TSBD.
Some conspiracy theorists believe that Bradley was one of the three tramps. A few letters in this post mention Roger Craig.
Previous Relevant Blog Posts on Paul Bleau
Bleau believes the Rose Cherami story.
Bleau claims the Shaw jury believed there was a conspiracy in the JFK assassination. This is just not true.
Bleau doesn't tell you everything about Lyndon Johnson's feelings towards the Warren Report.
Bleau leaves out some important details about the beliefs of Burt Griffin.
Bleau leaves out an important paragraph from Alfredda Scobey's article on the Warren Commission.
Bleau misleads readers on the testimony of John Moss Whitten.
Bleau gets it all wrong on Dr. George Burkley.
Bleau doesn't tell the whole story about John Sherman Cooper.
Bleau claims that J. Lee Rankin questioned the findings of the Warren Report. This is just true.
Bleau tries to make it appear that Dallas policeman James Leavelle had doubts that Oswald could be found guilty at a trial.
Bleau gets it all wrong on the FBI Summary Report.
Bleau discusses the conclusions of the HSCA but leaves out it most important finding.
Bleau leaves out some important details about a Warren Commission staffer.
Was Oswald a loner? Bleau says no, and then says yes.
Bleau leaves out some important details about Malcolm Kilduff.
An introduction to Paul Bleau's new book, Chokeholds.
Was David Ferrie Clay Shaw's pimp?
Did Lee Harvey Oswald have an escort?
Edward Girnus was in prison for forgery, and he told a fanciful story about Clay Shaw and Lee Harvey Oswald.
Leander D'Avy told the HSCA he saw Oswald and Ferrie with the three tramps.
Bleau's analysis of Garrison's files is full of errors.
Bleau believes there were seven plots against JFK before Dallas.
Bolden's allegation that there was a plot against JFK in Chicago has changed over the years.
There is no evidence that there was a plot against JFK in Tampa.
There is no evidence that there was a plot against JFK in Chicago.