“Notably, the Warren Commission did not determine that there was no conspiracy, only that it was ‘probable’ that Lee Harvey Oswald was the assassin and that he acted alone”
Methinks this is an example of the difficulty of “proving a negative” that we hear so much about. The simple truth is, they found no convincing evidence of conspiracy, and to my mind no one else has since. At least the Commission had a little humility, which is more than most people give them credit for.
“The House Assassinations Committee report concluded that Kennedy was killed as the result of a conspiracy by members of organized crime. Although disputed, forensic analysis of an audiotape indicated that there were at least four and likely more shots in Dealey Plaza, including one from the grassy knoll.”
The Committee acted extrememly stupidly, in myu opinion. They pretty much followe4d the Warren Commission all the way, then desperately clung to the motorcycle tape, a tape that hasn’t just been disputed but pretty much debunked. The timelines don’t match up with the various films. As for the mafia connection, I am not aware of what evindence the Committee relied on, so I can’t speak intelligently on that matter. But I will say that I am not aware of any solid evidence proving the mafia was involved.
I suggest you check out Vincent Bugliosi’s book. No need to trudge through the whole thing (1,500 pages or so). Skip ahead to where he covers the 50 or so pieces of evidence pointing to Oswald as the killer and where he covers the 50 or so pieces of evidence pointing to Oswald as acting alone. It’s pretty convincing.
That is considerably more in the way of doubt than a metaphysical possibility that there could have been a conspiracy.
(2) The House Assassinations Committee investigation was flawed by internal squabbles, obstructionism, the limitations of technology, and inadequate time. Their work remains useful in settling some issues and raising others.
(3) There is much evidence that is suggestive of organized crime involvement in Kennedy's assassination. For example:
— Oswald's uncle was a numbers runner for Carlos Marcello, the Mafia boss of New Orleans;
— Marcello hated and threatened to kill the Kennedys because Bobby had him deported and dumped in rural Guatemala and then, when he returned, put him on trial in November of 1963;
— A frequent Mafia tactic is to use a disposable nutcase as the gunman in a high profile assassination, and Marcello is reported to have bragged that was how they got rid of Kennedy;
— Santos Trafficante bragged in advance that Kennedy would not be a problem in the future because he would be hit;
— Jack Ruby was affiliated with the Mafia in Dallas, Chicago, and New Orleans; and
-— mobsters Roselli and Giancana were murdered shortly before they were scheduled to testify for the House Assassinations Committee.
(4) I have not read Bugliosi’s work. I look forward to it.