</s>BU 62-587 SECTION I Los Angeles Report 10/10/68 Pages 1-294 SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHIAN CIVIL RIGHTS

Summary  
The documents detail witness accounts and investigative findings related to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Key events include Kennedy’s campaign speech in the Embassy Room, followed by a shooting in the kitchen area. Witnesses such as Frank Mankiewicz (RFK’s press secretary), William Norris (campaign associate), and Adam Walinsky (speechwriter) described Kennedy’s movements after his speech, the sequence of gunshots, and the identification of Sirhan Bishara Sirhan as the shooter. Security lapses at the hotel were noted, including uncontrolled access to the Embassy Room and delayed response times. Post-assassination accounts included ambulance transport, medical assistance, and crowd reactions. FBI interviews with hotel employees, such as Margos Hernandez, Walter Joachim, and Edith Johnson, provided details about staff presence, security measures, and potential connections to Sirhan’s background. Investigations also referenced unrelated inquiries into individuals like William Ertl and Abbas Jibrill, though no conclusive links were established. Legal proceedings included Sirhan’s plea of not guilty in August 1968 and appeals related to trial publicity.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirhan**: Alleged assassin identified by multiple witnesses, including Dun Gifford and Joseph D. Chordano.  
- **Robert F. Kennedy**: U.S. Senator assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968.  
- **Frank Mankiewicz**: RFK’s press secretary who described Kennedy’s route after his speech and observed Paul Schrade lying near the body.  
- **William Norris**: Campaign associate who noted security lapses and interactions with Steve Smith and Fred Dutton.  
- **Adam Walinsky**: Speechwriter who witnessed Kennedy lying on the floor post-shooting and police removing Sirhan Sirhan.  
- **Charles Bailey**: Hotel employee who detailed the sequence of events, including gunshots in the kitchen and later identification of Sirhan Sirhan.  
- **Paul Schrade**: United Auto Workers official seen on the floor near Kennedy’s body.  
- **Steve Smith**: Senator’s brother-in-law present during the events.  
- **Victor Palmiere**: Commission on Crime member who discussed security measures with campaign staff.  
- **Donald Evangelista** (SSN [REDACTED]): Hotel employee hired shortly before the assassination.  
- **Michael D. Wharton**: Fireman identified by Inspector Cecil Lynch as present during the incident.  
- **Hans Bidstrup**: Electrician who recalled an unknown man in the sound booth on June 4, 1968.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California**: Site of Kennedy’s assassination and campaign events, including the Embassy Room, Colonial Room, and kitchen area.  
- **Embassy Room**: Location where Kennedy delivered his speech before being shot.  
- **Colonial Room**: Area where Kennedy proceeded after his speech, as reported by Frank Mankiewicz.  
- **Civic Center Body Shop (Olympic and Flower Streets)**: Workplace of Margos Hernandez’s girlfriend.  
- **Venetian Room**: Location where Hans Bidstrup encountered the unknown man.  

Key Events  
- **June 5, 1968**: Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel following his campaign speech in the Embassy Room.  
- **Security lapses**: Uncontrolled access to the Embassy Room and delayed response times noted by witnesses like William Norris and Charles Bailey.  
- **Witness accounts**: Multiple individuals described the shooting sequence, including multiple gunshots, the involvement of Sirhan Sirhan, and post-assassination chaos.  
- **Post-assassination actions**: Ambulance transport of Kennedy, medical assistance provided by staff, and crowd reactions to the incident.  
- **FBI interviews**: Conducted with hotel employees to gather details about security measures, staff presence, and potential connections to Sirhan’s background.  
- **Legal proceedings**: Sirhan Bishara Sirhan pled not guilty to murder and assault charges in August 1968, with appeals addressing trial publicity.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and investigations into the assassination, including inquiries into potential accomplices like William Ertl and Abbas Jibrill.  
- **United Auto Workers (UAW)**: Paul Schrade was an official associated with the organization.  
- **Commission on Crime**: Victor Palmiere’s involvement in security discussions related to RFK’s campaign.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department**: Provided details on security measures and witness accounts during the assassination.  
- **Bankers Trust Company**: Involved in ambulance transport of Kennedy post-assassination.

RFK Declassified Files

166-12c-1_serial_2_62_hq_587_section_1-la-report_10.10.68-part_1_of_7.pdf

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