Over the years, some rather far out theories have been put forth to explain the how and why of the assassination of President John Kennedy.

They include:

THE JACKIE CONNECTION

According to this theory, Jackie, heartbroken over Kennedy's extra-marital affairs, had a contract put out to have Kennedy "hit."

THE SUICIDE ANGLE

This theory has JFK discovering he has some incurable disease. Rather than suffer the painful debilitation of the disease, he arranges to have himself shot, allowing him to go out as a hero.

THE STAND-IN PROPOSAL

According to this theory, Kennedy had feared for his life for some time. Unwilling to cancel his trip, he sends a Kennedy look-a-like in his place. As unlikely as this may sound, Hitler apparently had several look-a-likes who stood in for him at some functions. Proponents of this theory state that what was thought to be part of Kennedy's skull, knocked off by the shooting, was actually a piece of the look-a-like's wig.

As to the possibility of a look-a-like to Kennedy existing, it should be noted that a Kennedy look-a-like sat for the portrait that was the basis of the JFK half dollars. The only real difference between this man and Kennedy, is that the look-a-like had a crew cut, mostly, he said, to reduce the commotion his appearance sometimes created. Food for thought.

THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSINATION

According to this theory, the brainchild of U.S. ballistics and firearms expert Howard Donahue, a Secret Service agent accidentally shot and killed Kennedy. While Lee Harvey Oswald did indeed get off two of the three shots fired at the President that day in Dealey Plaza, Donahue claims that the fatal, skull-shattering shot was actually fired, mistakenly, by George Hickey, a Secret Service agent riding in the car behind Kennedy.