Tom Bethell Writes Sylvia Meagher about the Shaw Trial

Charles Spiesel testified on February 7 - 8, 1969, for the prosecution at the Shaw trial. He told the jury that he heard Clay Shaw talk about the assassination with David Ferrie at a party in New Orleans. On cross examination, Spiesel was unveiled as a complete loon who had sued the City of New York for hypnotizing him dozens of time against his will.

New Orleans Times-Picayune, February 8, 1969

Here is a CIA document on Charles Spiesel:

Garrison staffer Tom Bethell wrote a letter to Sylvia Meagher about the beginning of the Clay Shaw trial:

The second and third paragraphs relate to Charles Spiesel -- Bethell indicates that James Alcock knew some elements of Spiesel's background.

Previous Relevant Blog Posts on Clay Shaw's Trial

Did the Clay Shaw Trial Jury Believe There Was a Conspiracy?

Conspiracy books claim that all the jurors believed that Garrison had proved a conspiracy in the JFK assassination, This is just not true.

Clay Shaw's Lawyers Faced an Unfair Fight!

Clay Shaw's trial attorney, Irvin Diamond, wrote a memo explaining the difficulties facing the defense.

Clay Shaw's Attorneys To-Do List

There was not discovery in Louisiana courts in 1969 and so Clay Shaw's attorneys had to run down every lead and rumor.

The Christenberry Decision

Judge Christenberry stopped Garrison's prosecution of Clay Shaw for perjury. Here is his ruling.