Clay LaVergne Shaw, a New Orleans businessman and entrepreneur, became the sole individual brought to trial regarding the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. While his professional life encompassed public relations and international trade development, he is primarily noted for his legal battle against district attorney Jim Garrison, which concluded with a swift acquittal by jury in 1969.
Early Career and Military Service
Born in Kentwood in 1913, Shaw moved to New Orleans at age five and attended Warren Easton High School. By 1935, he was managing a Western Union office in New York City while attending Columbia University. During his military service, he held an officer commission and performed administrative roles across England, France, and Belgium, earning multiple honors including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.
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Following his 1946 discharge as a major, Shaw helped launch the International Trade Mart in New Orleans, an enterprise focused on domestic and imported goods. He maintained an interest in architecture, specifically the preservation of historic French Quarter structures. His earlier interests included literature; as a high-school student, he co-authored the published play Submerged.
The Garrison Prosecution
In 1967, District Attorney Jim Garrison charged Shaw with conspiracy in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The prosecution alleged Shaw used the alias Clay Bertrand to coordinate with figures including David Ferrie and Lee Harvey Oswald. During the 1969 trial, the defense challenged the credibility of key witness Perry Russo, whose testimony shifted over time. The jury acquitted Shaw in under one hour.
Intelligence Connections and Death
In 1979, former CIA Director Richard Helms testified that Shaw served as a non-clandestine contact for the Domestic Contact Service from 1948 until at least 1956, providing information from his overseas travels. Shaw passed away in 1974 at age 61 due to metastatic lung cancer. At the time of his death, he was pursuing a lawsuit against those who financed the Garrison investigation.
Fast facts
- Born: 1913, Kentwood
- Died: 1974, New Orleans
- Education: Warren Easton High School
- Military Rank: Major
- Notable Awards: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Knight of the Order of the Crown
- Primary Professional Role: Businessperson and entrepreneur
Questions readers ask
Was Clay Shaw involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy?
No. Shaw was tried on conspiracy charges in 1969 and was acquitted by a jury after less than an hour of deliberation.
Did Shaw have any formal relationship with the CIA?
He acted as a volunteer contact for the Domestic Contact Service between 1948 and 1956, providing information from his foreign travels.
Achievements
- Bronze Star Medal
- Knight of the Order of the Crown
- Educated at Warren Easton High School
