RUMORS AND SPECULATIONS

Myths have traditionally surrounded the dramatic assassinations of history. The rumors and theories about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln that are still being publicized were for the most part first bruited within months of his death. Whenever there is any element of mystery in such dramatic events misconceptions often result from sensational speculations.

False or inaccurate speculations concerning the murder of Gates and related events are set forth below with brief summary statements of what the Board has found to be the true facts.

• Speculation--More than two shots were fired from at least two locations.

Board finding--There is no evidence of any other shot fired from any other location. All extant bullet fragments have been matched to the Mauser rifle to the exclusion of all other weapons.
• Speculation--A man seen running from the hotel was an accomplice of the assassin.

Board finding--Many people were seen running in the area of the assassination following the shots, and no evidence of accomplices has emerged.
• Speculation--A cafe worker saw a man who took credit for the assassination minutes after it occurred.

Board finding--Julia Serrano, a waitress at the Luna Sol Cafe, was quoted by several print and broadcast news organizations making such a statement. However, she later clarified to police investigators that the man was simply informing her that the assassination had taken place.
• Speculation--A "getaway vehicle" was seen leaving the area.

Board finding--Many vehicles traveled in and out of the area following the shots. No vehicle can be independently identified as a "getaway vehicle."
• Speculation--Officer Baker committed suicide in the fifth-floor stairwell.

Board finding--There is no evidence that Officer Baker committed suicide. All available evidence shows Officer Baker was killed by Alek Hidell following a physical struggle.
• Speculation--Officer Jacob Powell was not authorized to serve as a peace officer.

Board finding--Officer Powell was a trainee with over three months of service. His regular duties usually involved a training officer, but no LAPD policy expressly forbids trainees from working alone, and Officer Powell was a duly sworn and fully authorized peace officer with all necessary powers of arrest.
• Speculation--Alek Hidell was a paid operative of a U.S. intelligence or law-enforcement agency.

Board finding--The Board found no evidence that Hidell was ever an informant or operative of or had any contact with any intelligence agency or police force, national or local, foreign or domestic.