Do you realize how insane that is? This is a document generated by Klein's as part of their routine business records. Not just anybody. Waldmann was VP of the company that sold guns but he had no "involvement in gun sales"? He has knowledge of the records that they kept. Those records confirmed that a specific rifle was sent to Oswald's PO Box. That is why he is testifying. He is the guy who knows what the documents mean. The only way that this doesn't prove that the rifle was sent to Oswald is if the documents are faked or manipulated. And there is zero evidence of that. You certainly have provided none. The documentary evidence is conclusive of the fact.
What is truly insane is that they didn't call the man who actually wrote the handwritten information on Waldman 7. That would have authenticated it and settled the matter. The WC were very much aware of the fact that evidence needs to be authenticated. When Arlen Specter introduced the bullet CE399 in evidence, during Dr. Humes' testimony, he said;
Mr. SPECTER - Doctor Humes, I show you a bullet which we have marked as Commission Exhibit No. 399, and may I say now that, subject to later proof, this is the missile which has been taken from the stretcher which the evidence now indicates was the stretcher occupied by Governor Connally. I move for its admission into evidence at this time.
The CHAIRMAN. It may be admitted.One can only wonder why they failed to call a man who could authenticate the evidence and called instead a VP who was not involved in gun sales, had no first hand knowledge and couldn't authenticate a damned thing.
Waldmann was VP of the company that sold guns but he had no "involvement in gun sales"? Mr. BELIN. Let me just ask you this preliminary question: This is a photostatic copy of a document, is it not?
Mr. WALDMAN. It is.
Mr. BELIN. And is the original copy, or was the original copy prepared by someone under your direction or supervision?
Mr. WALDMAN. The original was prepared under a system which I originated and
this particular order was not prepared at my direction. It would be--the merchandise was ordered in a routine basis at a time in which it was needed, and----
Mr. BELIN.
Do you know who the person is that filled out this order?Mr. WALDMAN. Yes; his initials are so indicated as "M.W."
Mr. BELIN. Would that be the name at the lower lefthand corner of Exhibit 1?
Mr. WALDMAN. It is.
Mr. BELIN. And that is who?
Mr. WALDMAN.
Mitchell W. Westra.Mr. BELIN. At that time was he an employee of your company?
Mr. WALDMAN. He was.
Mr. BELIN.
Was he under your jurisdiction and supervision?Mr. WALDMAN.
He was not under my direct supervision, no. He was under the supervision of Sam Kasper.Mr. BELIN. And where is Sam Kasper now?
Mr. WALDMAN. He may or may not be here.
Mr. BELIN. I don't mean this afternoon. Is he with the company?
Mr. WALDMAN.
He is the vice president of our company.Mr. BELIN. He is the other vice president of the company?
Mr. WALDMAN. Correct.
He is the guy who knows what the documents mean.Nobody disputes that
The only way that this doesn't prove that the rifle was sent to Oswald is if the documents are faked or manipulated. And there is zero evidence of that. You certainly have provided none. I have no burden of proof and I don't need to make a claim. The law is clear; if somebody relies on a piece of evidence to support his argument, that person has the obligation to authenticate the evidence he wants to rely on. It is that simple!
The documentary evidence is conclusive of the fact. The only fact that it is conclusive of is that Waldman told Belin what the handwritten notes on Waldman 7 mean. Everything else is your assumption.
Now, mr. know it all, tell me, why did they call Waldman to testify and not the man who could have authenticated the document beyond doubt?