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Clay L. Shaw (1913–1974) was a New Orleans businessman, founder and managing director of the International Trade Mart, and a decorated World War II veteran. On March 1, 1967, New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison arrested Shaw on charges of conspiring with Lee Harvey Oswald, David Ferrie, and others to assassinate President Kennedy. Garrison alleged that Shaw used the alias "Clay Bertrand" in New Orleans. After a 40-day trial (January 31 – March 1, 1969), a jury acquitted Shaw in under one hour. Shaw remains the only person ever criminally tried for conspiracy in the Kennedy assassination. Separately, it was later established — and confirmed in 1979 Congressional testimony by former CIA director Richard Helms — that Shaw had served as a contact for the CIA's Domestic Contact Service in the 1950s and early 1960s, a routine program that debriefed American businessmen traveling abroad. Shaw denied this connection at his trial; it is now documented but does not establish any link to the assassination.
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Garrison arrests New Orleans businessman Clay Shaw, charging him with conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy. Garrison alleges Shaw used the alias "Clay Bertrand."
Trial opens in Orleans Parish Criminal Court before Judge Edward A. Haggerty Jr. The trial lasts 40 days.
After less than one hour of deliberation, the jury returns a not-guilty verdict. Shaw remains the only person ever criminally tried for conspiracy in the Kennedy assassination.
Dies of lung cancer in New Orleans.
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“ARRB · From: CIA/HRG · To: ARRB · JFK-M-20 : F22 : 20030731-973794 : · Release: In Part”
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Full trial transcripts; Shaw's own testimony and the one-hour acquittal verdict.
Helms Congressional testimony confirming Shaw's Domestic Contact Service role.
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Former CIA Director Richard Helms acknowledges in Congressional testimony that Clay Shaw had served as a contact for the CIA's Domestic Contact Service in the 1950s–early 1960s.
“CIA · From: STRICKLAND. INFO & PRIVACY COORDINA · To: PATRICIA LAMBERT. WOODLAND HILLS CA · JFK-M-16 : F10 : 2000.02.10.09:49:09:577044 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · JFK2 : F12 : 20031203-1019377 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · From: WITHHELD · JFK64-17 : F8 : 1998.03.23.20:25:50:966115 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · JFK42 : F12 : 1997.06.11.17:01:51:903106 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · From: STEVENS, M. D. · To: D/C, SRS · JFK-RH05 : F108-5 : 20040331-1069925 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · From: C/E/I · JFK64-17 : F8 : 1998.03.23.20:45:12:890115 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · JFK64-17 : F7 : 20040304-1054540 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · JFK64-17 : F7 : 1998.03.18.18:49:22:513115 : · Release: Redact”
“CIA · JFK-M-17 : F24 : 2000.02.22.09:53:49:310044 : UNIT INDEX · Release: Redact”