</s>ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR. September 25, 2012 The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr. Office of the Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C ., 20350 Dear Mr. Attorney General, I hope you will honor your request made by Paul Schrade in his accompanying letter. Paul was a close friend and advisor to my father. He was standing beside my father when Daddy was killed and Paul was himself wounded by a bullet. With boundless energy and clear mind, Paul continues to pursue my father's ideals, an endeavor to which he has devoted his life. He continues his father's ideas, and an endeavor for which he is devoted his wife, His Kennedy Community Schools in the former Ambassador Hotel site, Paul and his team of nationalally prominent attorneys including former U.S ., Attorney Rob Bonner strongly believe this new evidence is conclusive and require a new investigation. I agree and support his request for a new evidence. Sincerely, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr .,

Summary:  
The document outlines a 2012 request by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Paul Schrade for a new investigation into the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The request is based on forensic evidence suggesting two gunmen, not one, fired at least 13 shots from two 22-caliber revolvers during the attack at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Key claims include:  
- An audiotape recorded by a Canadian journalist during the event was analyzed by forensic scientist Philip Van Praag, who identified multiple gunshots and confirmed their origin from opposing directions.  
- Sirhan B. Sirhan, the convicted assassin, is alleged to have fired eight shots from behind Kennedy, while a second shooter (possibly Thane Eugene Cesar) fired additional rounds from the front.  
- Forensic analysis of the audiotape and crime scene evidence suggests Sirhan could not have fired all shots due to positioning constraints, with witness testimony corroborating this.  
- The FBI initially concluded Sirhan acted alone but later acknowledged discrepancies in their findings. The request highlights unresolved questions about the second shooter’s identity, motives, and involvement.  

Key People:  
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (son of RFK, petitioner for new investigation)  
- Paul Schrade (friend/advisor to RFK, advocate for re-examination)  
- Sirhan B. Sirhan (convicted assassin, alleged sole shooter in original trial)  
- Thane Eugene Cesar (suspected second gunman, former hotel employee)  
- Philip Van Praag (forensic scientist who analyzed audiotape and gunshot sounds)  
- Eric H. Holder Jr. (U.S. Attorney General, recipient of request for new investigation)  

Key Locations:  
- Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles, California), site of the assassination on June 5, 1968  
- California State Archives (source of audiotape and records)  
- FBI and LAPD files (containing crime scene evidence and forensic data)  

Key Events:  
- Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968  
- Forensic analysis of an audiotape by Philip Van Praag, revealing multiple shooters and gunshot patterns  
- Testimony from prosecution witnesses suggesting Sirhan could not have fired all shots due to positioning  
- Request for a new investigation based on unaddressed forensic evidence and witness accounts  
- Identification of Thane Eugene Cesar as a potential second shooter, with his revolver matching the second gun used  

Key Organizations:  
- U.S. Department of Justice (involved in initial investigation)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI, handled crime scene and audiotape analysis)  
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (investigated crime scene)  
- California State Archives (repository for records including the audiotape)  
- Gibson Dunn (law firm representing Schrade and others)

RFK Declassified Files

089a-la-156_0000001-0089-la-0-assess_a_0000008_1a0000002_0000001.pdf

Document Summary

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