Episode 15

As with the previous two episodes, I've used four main sources for my account of the Garrison's shenanigans in New Orleans: chiefly Patricia Lambert's indispensable False Witness (1998); but also Edward Epstein's 1968 book Counterplot, which was reprinted in his three-volume The Assassination Chronicles (1992); Vincent Bugliosi's Reclaiming History; and Fred Litwin's On the Trail of Delusion (2020). Since my copies of the Lambert and Litwin books are unpaginated e-books, I can't provide pages references for the quotes I've taken from them -- but bear in mind that I am doing this shit for free.  

As usual most of the audio comes from video archived on David Von Pein's exemplary JFK Channel on YouTube.

Bugliosi, “A charge of conspiracy to commit murder is virtually always accompanied …” Reclaiming History, p. 1380.

Oliver Stone, “Even if Shaw/Bertrand was not directly involved in the conspiracy …” Oliver Stone’s USA: Film, History and Controversy, edited by Robert Toplin, p. 275.

Oliver Stone, “Garrison was trying to force a break in the case ..” JFK: The Book of the Film by Oliver Stone and Zachary Sklar, p. 223

Martin Amis, “Means define ends …” Koba the Dread, p. 254.

Dean Andrews, “Clay Shaw is not in any way, shape or form …” Edward Epstein, The Assassination Chronicles, p. 228.

The blow-by-blow stuff about the pre-trial hearing, including Garrison’s courtroom stunts etc., is based on Patricia Lambert’s detailed account of the hearing in False Witness.

Russo on a “triangulation of crossfire” and finding “an appropriate scapegoat” … Epstein, p. 205.

Shaw’s diary entries are quoted by Lambert.

For Russo’s attempts to distinguish between David W. Ferrie and David Ferrie (no middle initial), see Epstein, p. 207.

My account of Vernon Bundy’s testimony, including the fact that he failed his lie-detector test, is largely based on Patricia Lambert’s account in False Witness, but also draws from Litwin and Epstein.

Garrison, “We didn’t tell him what to say …” quoted by Lambert.

One judge said Garrison’s case was “a joke”, and his evidence “water thin” … Lambert, footnotes.

Garrison told a reporter, “This is not the first time I’ve charged a person before I’ve made the case.” The reporter was James Phelan; the remark is cited by Lambert.

Both sides publicly wondered if the case would ever make it to trial … see Epstein, p. 213.

For James Phelan’s relationship with Garrison, and Phelan’s increasing qualms, see Lambert.

A transcript of Perry Russo’s hypnosis session can be read here.

Garrison to Phelan, “Say, that is a good question.” quoted by Gerald Posner in Case Closed, p. 438.

Phelan, “That’s when I knew he hadn’t read it,” quoted by Patricia Lambert.

Gurvich said to him in the car, “Russo’s the whole case … “ Lambert again.

The text of Phelan’s “Rush to Judgment in New Orleans” is reproduced here.

Phelan, “I knew that if Garrison were honest and responsible …” quoted by Lambert.

“The demagogue is … typically concerned not with substantive issues …” Epstein, p. 240.

Opinion polls showed that only 36% … Cited by Phelan in “Rush to Judgment in New Orleans.”

Gurvich, “He was getting calls from all over the country …” quoted by Bugliosi, p. 1378.

Garrison, “Don’t be so fucking legalistic …” quoted by Litwin.

A transcript of NBC’s The Case of Jim Garrison can be read here.

The full video can be watched on David Von Pein’s JFK Channel here.

Beauboeuf, “They wanted me to change my testimony …” quoted by Posner, p. 432.

Quotes from Loisel tape, Posner, p. 432.

Loisel threatened to “put a load of hot lead up his ass …" See this document.  

A transcript of Garrison’s “rebuttal” can be read here.

The full video of his appearance can be watched here.

Stone, “Who owns reality? … “ quoted by Bugliosi, p. 1436.

Garrison, “There is no truth, there is only what the jury decides ..." quoted by Lambert.

Garrison, “We’ll ride to glory …” quoted by Lambert.

Garrison immediately charged him with five counts of perjury … Bugliosi, p. 1394.

Garrison, “It was obvious that [Dean] was protecting Shaw …” quoted by Epstein, p. 185.

Andrews, “The Jolly Green Giant seeks out and destroys …” quoted by Epstein, p. 230.

Andrews, “Indict me if you want to …” quoted by Epstein, p. 212.

Garrison promptly charged Andrews with several further counts of perjury … Epstein, p. 230.

Quotes from Andrews press conference … Bugliosi, p. 1394.

“I would like to be famous too, other than as a perjurer …” Andrews said this in 1969, while testifying at Shaw’s trial. Quoted by Lambert.

“I’ll be the only person ever convicted …” See this Time magazine article. 

Andrews eked out a living as a jazz musician … See Lambert.

Garrison hailed the perjury verdict as “a major victory” … Epstein, p. 231.

Bertrand’s name was “foisted on the world by Andrews …” Assistant DA James Alcock, quoted by Epstein, p.212.

Gurvich, “Because he is an unmitigated liar and a psychopathic paranoid …” quoted by John Kelin in Praise from a Future Generation.

Epstein on the “three phases” of Garrison’s investigation … Assassination Chronicles, p. 214.

“Like the children of Hamelin …” Epstein, p. 214.

Lane as Garrison’s “unpaid chief investigator …” Posner, p. 430.

Garrison told his staff that Lane was going to be “writing the official history of the case …” Epstein, p. 215.

Gurvich, “[Garrison’s] true investigative staff …" Posner, 431.

“The trouble with these third-rate students …” The aide was Thomas Bethell, quoted by Epstein, pp. 215-216.