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Federal Judge Opens Discovery Over Unreleased JFK Grassy Knoll Film

The ruling opens discovery into the film’s custody, with potential access enabling modern analysis.

Overview

  • The 8 mm footage shot by Orville Nix on Nov. 22, 1963 reportedly focuses on Dealey Plaza’s grassy knoll and has not been publicly seen since it was sent for analysis in 1978.
  • Judge Stephen Schwartz issued a Jan. 15 order allowing continued fact-finding to determine who holds the original and whether it can be examined or released.
  • The film’s chain of custody is disputed, with reported past handling by the FBI, United Press International, Congress and Aerospace Corporation.
  • Aerospace Corporation says it returned materials to the National Archives, which stated in 1988 it had only a copy, while some Washington officials say they do not possess the original.
  • Nix’s niece, Linda Gayle Nix Jackson, is pressing the case as her attorney argues that modern optical and AI tools could reveal new details if the original becomes available.