Succes 2011: Bill & Gayle Newman, the closest witnesses to President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated by rifle fire in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas

William and Gayle Newman, who were both 22 years old on November 22, 1963, were probably the closest witnesses to President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated by rifle fire in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas.

The Newmans and their two young boys were standing at the curb on the north side of Elm Street when they became witnesses to one of the most horrific and most-talked-about events in world history--the murder of President Kennedy.
Bill Newman said that he thought the shot came from the top of the "knoll", or "mall". Some think he has given its name to the famous "Grassy Knoll", but it seems than reporter Merriman Smith has done it (see The Man Who Named the Grassy Knoll).


Later, he was to be a prosecution witness during Clay Shaw's trial, in New Orleans.

Both Bill and Gayle Newman were convinced that at least some of the shots were coming from behind them they both fell to the ground with their children in order to protect themselves. Despite being no more than a few feet away from the presidential limousine at the time of the shots, neither Bill nor Gayle Newman was called to testify before the Warren Commission. This was because Bill is convinced that this is because he had said in a Sheriff's Department statement of 22nd November 1963 that " ... it seemed  that we were in  direct path of fire" and "I thought the shot had come from the garden directly behind me."