Mark Shaw | Fighting for Justice for Marilyn, JFK and Dorothy Kilgallen

Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California2 minutes read

The Commonwealth Club offers memberships for $10 monthly, with various programs available online or in person featuring speakers like author Mark Shaw discussing historical events and governmental corruption. Shaw's investigative work delves into significant information about the JFK assassination and the Warren Commission, while also exploring connections between Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and Dorothy Kilgallen's deaths.

Insights

  • Mark Shaw's investigative work uncovers governmental corruption tied to historical events like the JFK assassination, shedding light on hidden facets of significant moments in history.
  • Dorothy Kilgallen's fearless pursuit of truth regarding the JFK assassination and her subsequent mysterious death underscores the risks journalists face when challenging official narratives and powerful figures.
  • Bobby Kennedy's complex relationships with Marilyn Monroe and his potential involvement in her death, alongside his connections to JFK's assassination, suggest a web of intrigue and personal entanglements that may have influenced pivotal events in American history.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Mark Shaw?

    Mark Shaw is an author and former lawyer who has written extensively about historical events, governmental corruption, and high-profile legal cases. He has a unique writing style influenced by his experience as a defense attorney and his interactions with juries and readers. Shaw's investigative work has led him to uncover significant information about events such as the JFK assassination and the Warren Commission. His research is often crowdsourced and influenced by feedback from his audience, showcasing his dedication to thorough and detailed storytelling.

  • What is the Commonwealth Club?

    The Commonwealth Club is an organization that offers a variety of programs and events for its members, both online and in-person in San Francisco. They have live-streamed over 900 programs since the pandemic began, providing valuable content to their audience. The club offers memberships, including a sustaining membership option for $10 a month, allowing individuals to support their initiatives and gain access to exclusive events and discussions. The Humanities Forum, chaired by George Hammond, welcomes audiences to engage with a diverse range of topics and speakers, making the Commonwealth Club a hub for intellectual discourse and community engagement.

  • Who is Dorothy Kilgallen?

    Dorothy Kilgallen was a prominent journalist known for her investigative work and exceptional writing skills. She became involved in investigating the JFK assassination due to her personal connection to JFK and her skepticism about the official narrative. Kilgallen's exclusive interview with Jack Ruby at his trial provided unique insights into the case, showcasing her dedication to uncovering the truth. Despite facing threats from J. Edgar Hoover and Carlos Marcello, Kilgallen continued her research, delving into connections between key figures involved in the assassination. Her mysterious death, marked by evidence of foul play, has sparked ongoing interest in her life and work.

  • What is the Sixth Floor Museum?

    The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a museum dedicated to the life, legacy, and assassination of President John F. Kennedy. However, the museum has faced criticism for its focus solely on Lee Harvey Oswald, with outdated exhibits and restrictions on speakers. Some visitors, like a regretful mother who took her children to the museum, have called for its closure due to concerns about the portrayal of historical events. The museum's approach to presenting information about JFK's assassination has sparked debates about the importance of including diverse perspectives and updated research in historical narratives.

  • Who is Marilyn Monroe?

    Marilyn Monroe was a renowned actress and cultural icon known for her beauty, talent, and complex personal life. She had relationships with high-profile figures like John F. Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy, leading to speculation about her involvement in political matters. Monroe's intelligence, demonstrated through her reading of complex literature and poetry, added depth to her public persona. Her tragic death, surrounded by conspiracy theories and unanswered questions, has fueled ongoing interest in her life and relationships with powerful men. Monroe's connections to key historical events, such as JFK's assassination, have been subjects of investigation and speculation in popular culture.

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Summary

00:00

Commonwealth Club: $10 Monthly Membership Benefits

  • Join the Commonwealth Club as a sustaining member for $10 a month
  • George Hammond, Chair of the Humanities Forum, welcomes online and live audiences in San Francisco
  • Over 900 programs have been live-streamed by the Commonwealth Club since the pandemic began
  • Author Mark Shaw returns after 18 months to discuss his new book on Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and Dorothy Kilgallen
  • Shaw's new book delves into governmental corruption surrounding the Warren Commission
  • Shaw's research has been crowdsourced and influenced by his audience's feedback
  • Shaw's journey into investigating historical events began with his defense work as a lawyer
  • Shaw's career includes defending individuals like Patty Hearst and Kobe Bryant
  • Shaw's writing style is influenced by his experience talking to juries and readers
  • Shaw's investigative work has led him to uncover significant information about historical events, including the JFK assassination and the Warren Commission

13:07

"Mark Shaw's Book Unveils JFK Assassination Secrets"

  • Mark Shaw moved back to Indiana from California and got involved in covering the Mike Tyson rape case in 1992.
  • Don King, Mike Tyson's promoter, hired a tax evasion lawyer for Tyson's defense, leading to a poor defense strategy.
  • Despite weak evidence, Mike Tyson was convicted, prompting Mark Shaw to write a book about the case.
  • Mark Shaw's literary career began with a scathing review of his book on Tyson in the Indianapolis Star.
  • Melvin Belli, a tort lawyer, represented Jack Ruby, who shot Lee Harvey Oswald, sparking Mark Shaw's interest in the JFK assassination.
  • Joe Kennedy used mafia connections to help JFK win the 1960 election and appoint Bobby Kennedy as attorney general.
  • Bobby Kennedy's actions against the mafia led to JFK's assassination, according to Mark Shaw's book "The Poisoned Patriot."
  • Dorothy Kilgallen, a prominent journalist, became involved in investigating the JFK assassination due to her personal connection to JFK.
  • Dorothy Kilgallen's skepticism about the official narrative of JFK's assassination led to her becoming a target of J. Edgar Hoover.
  • Dorothy Kilgallen's exclusive interview with Jack Ruby at his trial provided unique insights into the case, showcasing her exceptional writing skills.

25:58

Dorothy Kilgallen: Investigating Ruby, Marilyn, and Murder

  • Defense strategy: Preventing Ruby from testifying and using a psycho motor epilepsy insanity defense.
  • First case as a public defender: Tried a first-degree murder case within days, involving a man who shot his girlfriend in front of her children.
  • Dorothy's involvement: Attended Jack Ruby's trial, took detailed notes, and published Ruby's testimony in The New York Journal American.
  • Dorothy's danger: Investigated connections between Marcello, Lee Harvey Oswald, and Jack Ruby, leading to threats from Hoover and Marcello.
  • Dorothy's death: Found dead in her townhouse, evidence suggests murder with barbiturates in her drink.
  • Forensic evidence: Three barbiturates found in Dorothy's system, indicating foul play, confirmed by Dr. Cyril Wecht.
  • Funeral and accolades: 10,000 people attended Dorothy's funeral, with stories of her heroism emerging.
  • Ron Pataki's involvement: Compromised by Hoover, informed on Dorothy, possibly involved in her murder.
  • Investigation and transcripts: Obtained Jack Ruby trial transcripts, revealing Ruby's premeditated actions, connecting him to Marcello.
  • Marilyn Monroe connection: Investigated possible connections between Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Kilgallen, and JFK's deaths, focusing on Marilyn's relationships with JFK and RFK.

38:57

"Secrets and Betrayal: Marilyn Monroe's Untold Story"

  • Joe took his wife, Gloria Swanson, to Europe on a ship, with Rose on one end and Gloria on the other.
  • Bobby Kennedy may have had a role in Marilyn Monroe's death, with evidence of wiretaps on their conversations.
  • Marilyn Monroe intended to reveal national security matters, including JFK's plan to assassinate Fidel Castro.
  • Marilyn Monroe felt betrayed by Bobby Kennedy and was going to expose their love affairs to the media.
  • Marilyn Monroe was a smart woman who read complex literature like Ulysses and wrote poetry.
  • Bobby Kennedy promised to divorce his wife and marry Marilyn Monroe, but later distanced himself from her.
  • Marilyn Monroe was going to marry Joe DiMaggio before her death and wanted to adopt a child with him.
  • J. Edgar Hoover and LBJ controlled the Warren Commission's investigation into JFK's assassination.
  • The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone, with no evidence of a conspiracy.
  • Dorothy Kilgallen criticized the Warren Commission's findings and had inside information from sources at Jack Ruby's club.

52:15

"Uncovering Truths: JFK Assassination Cover-Up Exposed"

  • Individuals at a location are being treated to complimentary services, including drinks and interactions with strippers.
  • The exclusion of crucial information in books by authors is highlighted, emphasizing the necessity of including Dorothy Kilgallen's research.
  • The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is criticized for its focus solely on Oswald, with outdated exhibits and restrictions on speakers.
  • A mother's regret for taking her children to the museum prompts efforts to close it down.
  • Maurice Wolff, a former associate of Bobby Kennedy, shares insights into the Warren Commission's proceedings and the cover-up surrounding JFK's assassination.
  • Senator John Sherman Cooper's involvement in the Warren Commission is revealed, with his dissatisfaction leading to a demand for a dissenting report that was ultimately omitted.
  • Cooper's oral histories confirm his discontent with the Commission's proceedings and the lack of transparency in the investigation.
  • Dorothy Kilgallen's integrity is highlighted through her refusal to disclose her source for obtaining Warren Commission testimony.
  • Assistant Attorney General Katzenbach's role in blocking investigations related to JFK's assassination is discussed, with implications for Joe and Bobby Kennedy's involvement.
  • The potential consequences of Bobby Kennedy's prosecution in 1962 are explored, including his resignation as Attorney General and the prevention of JFK's assassination.

01:06:12

"JFK Assassination: Oswald Alone Theory"

  • Investigate Oswald alone and nothing else
  • LBJ's self-protection and avoidance of scrutiny for past oil dealings
  • KGB document implicating Lyndon Johnson in JFK's death
  • Hoover's support for the Oswald alone theory to avoid looking foolish
  • Avoidance of the term "conspiracy" in favor of "plot" to downplay investigations
  • Katzenbach's insistence on focusing solely on Oswald alone
  • Warren and Katzenbach planning to present Oswald as the sole culprit
  • Marcello's alleged involvement in orchestrating JFK's assassination
  • Witness claiming Melvin Belli knew about the assassination beforehand
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