Discovery Marks the 50th Anniversary of Kennedy’s Assassination with JFK: THE SMOKING GUN, Nov. 3

TORONTO (October 7, 2013) – Distinct bullet holes from two different firearms, a whiff of smoke, a colossal cover-up, and a missing brain…compelling clues from the most fascinating and famous cold case of the 20^th century. Commissioned by Discovery Canada, the North American premiere of the landmark co-production JFK: THE SMOKING GUN debuts Sunday, November 3, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, just weeks before the 50^th anniversary of the assasination of President John. F. Kennedy.

A groundbreaking investigative special, JFK: THE SMOKING GUN made international headlines earlier this year for its shocking “second shooter” theory – that it was accidental “friendly fire” from a Secret Service agent that killed President Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963. JFK: THE SMOKING GUN is based on the work of veteran Police Detective Colin McLaren, who spent the last four years on the Kennedy forensic cold case investigation. What he had – and other investigators at the time did not – was modern technology and access to all the evidence, facts, and eye-witness testimony. He believes he has managed to solve a crime that is every bit as shocking and incredible today as it was when it happened 50 years ago. Methodically constructed from simple logic and exhaustive analysis of all available evidence — including key archival photographic evidence, medical reports, witness testimony, and bullet science – has McLaren found the “smoking gun” that killed J.F.K.?

The cold case that ended Camelot. Discovery presents JFK: THE SMOKING GUN, Nov. 3

JFK: THE SMOKING GUN investigates the most famous unsolved crime in American history, following renowned Australian homicide detective McLaren who based his work on the findings of highly-qualified ballistics expert, Howard Donahue. With dramatic recreations, the two-hour special goes back to that tragic day in Dallas at Dealey Plaza where the shooting took place, onward to Parkland Hospital where the President was pronounced dead, then to the Bethesda Naval Hospital where the autopsy was conducted – providing context for the witness testimonies and proceedings at the Warren Commission that are still controversial decades later.

Ballistic experiments, CGI, and 3D animation heighten the viewers’ experience and understanding of the evidence and sequence of events. Working through the most fascinating “cold case” of the last century, JFK: THE SMOKING GUN applies modern forensic investigation techniques to all of the available crime scene evidence, and delves into previously-classified information to reach its startling conclusion.  This groundbreaking new special features:

• Detailed explanations, reenactments, and CGI, demonstrating that J.F.K. was hit by two distinct types of bullets fired from two separate angles;
• Explosive evidence from key participants in the autopsy of J.F.K. who were forced to sign oaths of silence, but finally decided – decades later – to speak the truth of what they saw that fateful day;
• Witness statements made in 1963 that were ignored by the Warren Commission.

“For a retired detective, the assassination of J.F.K. is the Holy Grail of cold case crimes, the ultimate whodunit, which was aching for a thorough forensic analysis,” said McLaren. “A cold case study is a study of documents, each word, in context, and all testimony – but it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s been 50 years since the crime happened in Dealey Plaza. Since then, millions of cars have rolled over the road and as many tourists and pedestrians have walked the streets, forever changing the feel and look of the crime scene. It’s gone, even though it’s still there… But what isn’t gone is the testimony.”

JFK: THE SMOKING GUN explores McLaren’s and Donahue’s work the on trajectory angles and different bullet types, effectively eliminating Oswald as the fatal assassin. According to their investigation, the only plausible explanation for the shooting is that while Oswald certainly did fire his Mannlicher-Carcano rifle at, and hit, the President and Governor Connally, the bullet that struck Kennedy in the head – indeed the fatal shot – came from an AR-15 rifle accidently fired by Secret Service Agent George Hickey, who was riding atop the left-rear seat of the follow-up car immediately behind the presidential limousine.  

A tragic accident, not a calculated assassination. But why, then, have decades of confusion, conspiracy, and cover-up surrounded the death of the 35^th American President? Multiple witness statements reveal a clear and consistent pattern of suspicious behaviour by Secret Service personnel at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, and at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. These actions include the illegal removal of the President’s body from Texas prior to performing an autopsy, and the confiscation of photographs, X-rays, bullet fragments and other evidence – including the President’s bullet-pierced brain – following the autopsy in Bethesda.

There were 556 Warren Commission witnesses, and according to McLaren, dozens more who were un-heard, ignored, or buried deep in classified documents held by the Assassination Records Review Board, the Dallas Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI – released only by President Bill Clinton’s 1992 JFK Records Act. Pouring through their stories was a massive task, but the determined detective pulled more than 30 needles from that haystack, corroborating an alternate narrative pointing to an outcome that is very different than that which the Warren Commission asserted publicly 50 years ago. JFK: THE SMOKING GUN reveals that while there was never a conspiracy to kill Kennedy, there was a colossal cover-up, all adding up to a fascinating new perspective on the story that most people think they already know.

Discovery.ca will feature JFK: THE SMOKING GUN companion content, giving viewers the opportunity to explore the evidence for themselves, in greater detail. Web highlights include complete interviews, biographies, witness statements, crime scene maps, photographic evidence, and computer-graphics, all deepening the context and sparking continued conversation through Discovery’s Social communities on Facebook and Twitter.

JFK: THE SMOKING GUN is a Canada-Australia co-production and is produced by Montreal’s Muse Entertainment and Australia’s Cordell/ Jigsaw/ for Discovery Canada, SBS Australia, and REELZCHANNEL in the U.S. Muse Distribution International and Cordell/Jigsaw/Zapruder share world distribution rights to the documentary special.

About Discovery:

The world is just awesome! With compelling real-life programming that inspires and entertains, Discovery reveals the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. Discovery offers a signature mix of adrenaline-charged stories, larger-than-life personalities and vivid imagery for viewers with curious minds. With the best non-fiction programming from Canada and around the world, Discovery captures the excitement of a passion for life – one lived fully and at its most extreme. With exceptional and immersive storytelling, the channel offers in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the extraordinary people and places that shape our world. Launched in Canada in 1995, Discovery is now available in more than eight million Canadian homes. Discovery is offered in standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) simulcast – for viewers who want an even bigger and bolder experience. Discovery Canada is a joint venture between Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company, and Discovery Communications Inc. Find more information and interactive online features at Discovery.ca.

Muse Entertainment is a leading film and television production company known for its well-crafted and high-quality productions. Since its founding in 1998, Muse has produced, co-produced or provided production services on more than 170 TV movies and mini-series, television series and feature films and has won over 100 awards and garnered over 300 award nominations! Muse Entertainment’s most recent television series are PLAYED, BOMB GIRLS (Seasons I, II), BOUNTY HUNTERS and BEING HUMAN (Seasons 1, II, III, IV). In 2011, its topical, 8-hr. historical drama, THE KENNEDYS, earned 10 Emmy Award nominations. Its PILLARS OF THE EARTH also won an Emmy and many other awards. Muse’s other award-winning programs are CYBERBULLY, DURHAM COUNTY (Seasons I, II, III), BEN HUR, THE LAST TEMPLAR, IMPACT, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ANSWERED BY FIRE, THIS IS WONDERLAND and TALES FROM THE NEVERENDING STORY. The company’s head office and its Quebec production centre are in Montreal. Muse also maintains development and production operations in Toronto and Los Angeles. For more information please visit www.muse.ca.

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