Episode 173 Perry Russo's 2nd Polygraph Test Conducted by Ed O'Donnell

Episode 173  is the story of the 2nd polygraph test taken by Perry Russo. Jim Garrison and his team, concerned that the results of the first polygraph test administered to Perry Russo would be made public on national television as part of Walter Sheridan's NBC White Paper documentary, scrambled to have a second polygraph administered that would reinforce the veracity and confirm the truth of Perry Russo's statements to be made at trial.  More specifically, that Russo was present at the assassination plot party which took place at David Ferrie's apartment  which was an event that Clay Shaw was present for and participated in...and that a man named Leon Oswald was present and that is one and the same as Lee Harvey Oswald. Oh, and that Clem Bertrand is one and the same as Clay Shaw.  Unfortunately, the test was cut short and it led to a private conversation between Russo and Ed O'Donnell the polygraph operator and a sergeant on the New Orleans police force.  O'Donnell would tell Garrison and members of his staff what Russo had privately relayed to O'Donnell after the polygraph machine was turned off....that Russo could not definitively say that  Clay Shaw had been at the party that night and participated in the assassination  meeting.  Later,  O'Donnell would make the decision to reveal this information publicly going against Garrison as Garrison ignored what O'Donnell had revealed to him about the conversation with Russo.  Several weeks into the Clay Shaw trial, O'Donnell would make the decision to  testify on behalf of the defense, an unusual matriculation of events in the case.  Some critics say that O'Donnell was a foe of Garrison's and that impacted what happened here. Others say it was just one more example of Garrison's disregard for the truth in his quest to bring the case to trial. 

Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over  the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it,  were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This  real-life story is more fascinating than fiction. No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as  we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.