Mark Lane (February 24, 1927 – May 10, 2016) was an American attorney who also served as a New York state legislator. Over his career he was active in civil rights causes and identified as an activist, and he investigated allegations of war crimes during the Vietnam conflict.
Early life
Lane was born in the Bronx and spent his childhood in Brooklyn. Details of his early education and legal training are part of his background as a practicing lawyer and public figure.
Legal and political work
As an attorney and elected official, Lane combined courtroom practice with public advocacy. He used his legal skills in support of civil-rights activities and later became known for taking on politically sensitive investigations.
Research into the Kennedy killing
Lane gained national prominence for his long-running scrutiny of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He challenged the findings of the Warren Commission and produced several books arguing that the official account was incomplete. Critics and many commentators described him as a conspiracy theorist, while supporters credited him with bringing documents and witnesses to wider attention.
- Rush to Judgment (1966) — a critique of the Warren Commission that became a best-selling book.
- The Last Word: My Indictment of the CIA in the Murder of JFK (2011) — one of his later works revisiting the subject.
Across his career Lane authored no fewer than ten books, including at least four substantial works devoted to the Kennedy case.
Death
Mark Lane died of a heart attack at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 10, 2016. He was 89 years old.