CONFESSION FROM PRISON

The Shocking JFK Confession from Prison | Files On JFK |

Documentary prison interview of James E. Files, recorded in the Stateville Correctional Center, Joliet Illinois. After an FBI tip, Kennedy assassination investigator Joe West found James Files serving time for the attempted murder of an Illinois police officer. At first, Files was reluctant to talk, but West persisted and established a relationship with a man with first-had knowledge of various aspects of the world of organized crime, government operations, and key people involved in planning and carrying out the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Initial Contact and Investigation
📞
James E. Files recounts his initial reluctance to speak with JFK assassination investigator Joe West, agreeing to an interview only after West persisted and visited him in prison. [02:35][03:30]
🗺️
Files describes sketching the entire Dealey Plaza for West from memory, demonstrating his familiarity with the location. [04:01]
👤
Files reveals that he learned later that the FBI was aware of his presence in Dealey Plaza as early as 1964, possibly through information provided by Zack Schaan. [04:46]
The Plot to Kill Kennedy
😠
Files explains his personal dislike for Kennedy stemming from the Bay of Pigs incident. [10:15]
💬
Files recounts a conversation with Charles Nicoletti, a respected figure in the Chicago Outfit, who informed him of the plan to assassinate Kennedy. [10:31][11:40]
📍
Files details the initial plan to assassinate Kennedy in Chicago, which was later moved to Texas due to concerns from high-ranking figures in organized crime. [12:30]
Preparations and Travel to Dallas
🚗
Files describes the meticulous preparations, including modifying weapons with Wolfman, a skilled gunsmith, and outfitting a 1963 burgundy Chevrolet Impala with secret compartments for transporting weapons. [14:08][16:37]
✈️
Files reveals his arrival in Dallas a week before the assassination, tasked with scouting the area and familiarizing himself with the motorcade route. [17:23]
📞
Upon arriving in Dallas, Files contacts both Charles Nicoletti and his CIA controller, David Atley Phillips, informing them of his location. [18:31]
Meeting Lee Harvey Oswald
🤝
Files expresses surprise at encountering Lee Harvey Oswald at his motel in Mesquite, Texas, revealing that Oswald was sent by David Atley Phillips. [19:37][19:48]
📸
Files recounts Oswald taking pictures of him at the motel, further solidifying their connection. [22:07]
🚗
Files details driving around Dallas with Oswald, who showed him various streets and locations, including a spot for calibrating rifle scopes. [23:25]
The Assassination and Aftermath
🔫
Files describes receiving instructions to act as a backup shooter for Nicoletti, positioned on the grassy knoll with a Remington Fireball XP-100 pistol. [39:24][45:05]
💥
Files recounts witnessing the motorcade, hearing shots fired, and ultimately taking a shot at Kennedy himself as the motorcade passed behind a freeway sign, claiming to have hit Kennedy in the head. [59:26][1:01:26]
🏃
Files details his escape from Dealey Plaza, discarding the shell casing from his shot, reversing his jacket, and walking away while maintaining situational awareness. [1:13:09]
The Death of J.D. Tippit and Oswald
👮
Files claims that the individual who shot Officer J.D. Tippit was a separate operative sent to eliminate Oswald, arriving at his motel room shortly after the assassination. [1:32:30]
🎯
Files asserts that Tippit's death was not related to the Kennedy assassination but was a direct result of the attempt to silence Oswald. [1:36:18]
🧪
Files cites a paraffin test administered to Oswald by the Dallas Police Department, suggesting that traces of nitrates on Oswald's hand were from handling shell casings during the scope calibration, not from firing a weapon. [1:27:35]
The Cover-Up and Silencing of Witnesses
🤐
Files alleges that the government, specifically the CIA, orchestrated the deaths of Sam Giancana, Johnny Roselli, and Charles Nicoletti to prevent them from revealing information about the assassination. [2:24:00][2:26:01]
🗃️
Files describes possessing a ledger detailing numerous contract killings in the Chicago area, given to him by Nicoletti as "life insurance," which he believes the FBI would be interested in obtaining. [2:31:45]
⚠️
Files reveals that he was declared a threat to national security by Janet Reno and President Bill Clinton in 1998, possibly due to his knowledge of classified information related to military technology. [2:15:23]
Key moments
02:23
James E. Files recounts his initial contact with JFK assassination investigator Joe West and his reluctance to discuss the Kennedy assassination.

02:23
Files describes how Joe West contacted him in prison and his initial refusal to talk.

03:30
Files explains how West persisted and eventually gained his trust.

03:59
Files details how he sketched out Dealey Plaza for West from memory.

04:26
Files reveals his knowledge of the assassination plot and his role in scouting Dealey Plaza.

04:50
Files claims the FBI was aware of his presence in Dealey Plaza as early as 1964.

05:19
Files states that Joe West died without knowing Files was one of the shooters.

06:11
Files suggests West was silenced due to his efforts to exhume JFK's body.

10:04
Files recounts learning about the plot to kill Kennedy and his initial skepticism.

10:30
Files describes the meeting with Charles Nicoletti where he was informed about the plan.

12:36
Files explains his role in scouting Dealey Plaza and learning escape routes.

13:22
Files details the acquisition of weapons and his trip to Dallas with Lee Harvey Oswald.

14:08
Files describes obtaining weapons from a secret compartment in a car.

14:22
Files mentions "Wolfman," who manufactured special mercury-loaded bullets.

17:18
Files recounts his arrival in Dallas and meeting with Lee Harvey Oswald.

18:32
Files reveals he called Charles Nicoletti and David Atley Phillips upon arriving in Dallas.

18:55
Files explains Phillips was his CIA controller and Oswald's as well.

20:05
Files recounts a previous operation with Oswald involving gun running.

23:25
Files describes driving around Dallas with Oswald, scouting the area.

23:46
Files details test firing weapons with Oswald and collecting shell casings.

25:55
Files recounts the events leading up to the assassination, including a meeting with Jack Ruby.

26:00
Files describes receiving instructions to call a contact at the Dallas Cabana hotel.

26:31
Files recounts driving Johnny Roselli to Fort Worth to meet Jack Ruby.

29:37
Files details the meeting between Roselli and Ruby at a pancake house.

31:16
Files reveals Roselli showed him a map of Dealey Plaza with a last-minute route change.

33:37
Files recounts meeting with Nicoletti and Roselli and learning about the abort team.

35:08
Files describes Nicoletti informing him about the CIA's attempt to call off the hit.

36:30
Files reveals that only Sam Giancana could have stopped the assassination.

39:23
Files provides a detailed account of his position on the grassy knoll and the moments leading up to the assassination.

39:23
Files describes the weather clearing and Nicoletti asking him to be the backup shooter.

40:24
Files explains his reasoning for choosing the grassy knoll as his shooting position.

44:31
Files recounts Nicoletti agreeing to his choice of weapon, the Remington Fireball.

46:42
Files reveals the Fireball was a CIA prototype weapon previously used in assassinations.

52:39
Files describes securing the car and retrieving his briefcase with the Fireball.

53:32
Files details his actions in the railroad yard, observing the crowd and looking for security personnel.

54:17
Files recounts recognizing several individuals in the crowd, including Jack Ruby, Richard Cain, and Frank Sturgis.

58:20
Files describes the motorcade approaching and focusing on Kennedy through the scope.

59:50
Files recounts bringing the Fireball up over the fence and following the car as shots rang out.

1:01:11
Files details his decision to shoot as he was about to lose his field of fire.

1:01:29
Files states he aimed for Kennedy's right eye but missed, hitting him in the temple.

1:04:50
Files describes the aftermath of the assassination and his escape from Dealey Plaza.

1:04:50
Files recounts seeing Kennedy's head explode and Jackie crawling out of the car.

1:05:19
Files claims he saw someone, likely a Secret Service agent, splattered with blood.

1:09:47
Files describes walking away from the fence with his briefcase and .45 caliber pistol.

1:13:00
Files recounts two men in suits, likely his cover, stopping a motorcycle cop from approaching him.

1:19:17
Files details arriving at the car with Nicoletti and Roselli waiting.

1:20:29
Files recounts Nicoletti questioning if he overreacted by firing too quickly.

1:21:09
Files describes dropping Nicoletti and Roselli off at a gas station where they had another car waiting.

1:29:33
Files recounts driving back to his motel and cleaning his weapon.

1:30:41
Files details removing the weapons from the car and returning to his motel room.

1:31:18
Files describes his actions after leaving Dallas and his subsequent arrest.

1:31:18
Files recounts leaving Dallas and driving back to Illinois.

1:32:24
Files describes a visit from the individual who shot JD Tippit.

1:33:38
Files reveals the Tippit shooter wanted him to dispose of the murder weapon.

1:36:19
Files states the Tippit killing was related to Oswald, not Kennedy.

1:36:53
Files claims the Tippit shooter was actually after Oswald, not Tippit.

1:38:54
Files explains how he informed Nicoletti about Oswald being a potential problem.

1:40:15
Files suggests the Tippit shooter was a CIA operative on standby.

2:01:17
Files explains he is currently in prison for the attempted murder of a police officer.

2:01:29
Files recounts the first attempt on his life after being released from federal prison.

2:04:28
Files claims the attempts on his life were orchestrated by a government agency, not the mob.

2:05:33
Files describes the second attempt on his life, involving a motorcycle accident.

2:05:50
Files recounts the third attempt on his life, which led to his current imprisonment.

2:07:27
Files details the shootout with two off-duty police officers, David Ostertag and Michael Bitner.

2:10:27
Files explains how he was convicted despite witnesses claiming the officers fired first.

2:11:06
Files discusses his military background, recruitment into the CIA, and his knowledge of various covert operations.

2:11:06
Files recounts his military service in the 82nd Airborne and his time in Laos.

2:11:34
Files reveals he executed two of his own men in Laos and was court-martialed.

2:11:51
Files describes being recruited into the CIA by David Atley Phillips.

2:12:46
Files admits to being a pilot and flying for the CIA.

2:13:58
Files claims the FBI has known about his involvement in the JFK assassination since 1964.

2:14:40
Files recounts being declared a threat to national security during the Clinton administration.

2:15:55
Files reveals he has a US Marshals detainer on him.

2:16:13
Files describes how a historian researching him was warned by the Secret Service.

2:17:15
Files explains the term "sheep dipping," a practice of using sterile agents in covert operations.

2:18:37
Files shares his thoughts on the motivations behind the assassination and his personal feelings about Kennedy.

2:18:37
Files believes the decision to kill Kennedy was made at a level higher than LBJ.

2:19:24
Files suggests J. Edgar Hoover had knowledge of the assassination six months in advance.

2:19:58
Files expresses remorse for the impact of the assassination on the country, but not for shooting Kennedy.

2:20:44
Files explains his dislike for Kennedy stemmed from his perceived betrayal of the Bay of Pigs operation.

2:23:06
Files claims George H.W. Bush worked for the CIA as early as 1961.

2:23:33
Files mentions a ledger containing details of numerous contract killings in Chicago, including JFK's.

2:31:44
Files reveals the ledger is his "insurance policy" and will be passed on to his grandson if he dies.

2:37:46
Files believes the assassination was motivated by powerful individuals who wanted to profit from the Vietnam War.

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