Willem Oltmans
 Willem Oltmans      (journalist) | |
|---|---|
 In 1973 | |
| Born | Willem Leonard Oltmans 1925-06-10 Huizen, Netherlands |
| Died | 30 September 2004 (Age 79) Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Alma mater | Nyenrode Business University, Yale University |
| Interests | JFK assassination |
The journalist to whom George de Mohnrenschildt entrusted some of his inside knowledge on the JFK Assassination before being himself assassinated. | |
Willem Oltmans was a Dutch journalist connected to the JFK assassination after he interviewed first Lee Harvey Oswald's mother and then George de Mohrenschildt (Oswald's CIA handler). His motives and loyalties throughout were unclear.
JFK assassination
- Full article: JFK assassination
- Full article: JFK assassination
Oltmans was based in the USA in the 1960s, where he worked as a reporter for Dutch TV broadcaster NOS and established ties to President Kennedy's closest circle of advisors.[1] After Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963, Oltmans interviewed the mother of the patsy Lee Harvey Oswald, after reportedly having met her by chance in March 1964 Marguerite at JFK International Airport.[citation needed]
His investigations led him to Oswald's handler Baron George de Mohrenschildt. According to Oltmans, De Mohrenschildt, was one of the architects behind the killing. In 1977 De Mohrenschildt agreed to disclose information to Oltmans, but disappeared from their meeting place and was found dead in Florida a few weeks later.[2] His death was declared a suicide.
HSCA testimony
On April 2, 1977 Willem Oltmans told the House Select Committee on Assassinations that George de Mohrenschildt had implicated himself in the JFK assassination. And Pat S. Russell, who was De Mohrenschildt's attorney said "I definitely feel there was a conspiracy and that definitely was the opinion of George." [3] De Mohrenschildt, whom the HSCA considered to be a "crucial witness", had died four days prior.[4] Oltmans testified for three hours behind closed doors and told the committee that De Mohrenschildt told him he had discussed the assassination of Kennedy with Lee Harvey Oswald from A to Z. "De Mohrenschildt told me that Oswald acted at his (De Mohrenschildt's) instructions and that he knew Oswald was going to kill Kennedy," Oltmans said.[5] Although Oltmans had given information to the Committee shortly before, De Mohrenschildt's death had released Oltmans from his promise not to divulge certain information. Oltmans revealed that De Mohrenschildt, whom he had known for ten years, had told him that there had been a conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy and that he had played a role in the conspiracy. De Mohrenschildt said that CIA and FBI personnel were involved as well.[6]
Later activities
Ironically, Oltmans played the role of De Mohrenschildt in Oliver Stone's 1991 film about the assassination, JFK.[7]
References
- ↑ http://www.inghist.nl/Onderzoek/Projecten/BWN/lemmata/bwn6/oltmans
- ↑ http://www.boekenroute.nl/gasten/gtn1Auteur.aspx?AuteurID=6359
- ↑ "Lawyer Says Texan Told Him Oswald Had Aid in '63 Plot”, The New York Times, April 3, 1977"
- ↑ Summers, Anthony (1998). Not in Your Lifetime. New York: Marlowe & Company. p. 369. ISBN 1-56924-739-0.
- ↑ "Journalist tells of JFK Plots”, The Ledger (Lakeland, Florida), April 4, 1977"
- ↑ Lane, Mark (November 1977). "The Mysterious Death of a Key JFK Witness". Gallery Magazine.
- ↑ http://www.jfk-online.com/jfkcameooltmans.html
