</s>FD-350 (lev. 7-18-063) (Mount Clipping in Space Below) Sirhan Trial Room Turning Into 'Armored Fortress' A portion of the Hall of Jus-rigged in a make-shift court-guides the construction of pro- tice at Temple Street and in room in the jail and ordered to conduct active facilities in order to con- at the time of the trial in June 28 to June 28, 1972. virtual armored fortress in place. at the Temple Street in St. Sim- at the site of the jail, and in order of the following conditions. at the location of the site, the court is located on the right side of the road. dct. County operations and departure for the trial for the Six- doubt danger to life and proper- (indicate page, name of departuration for the Trial of Sir- day of the Plea hearing to Par- the resolution called for-con- nowspaper, city and state.) litter of Robert K. Kennedy. "The Board of Supervisors, a fellow member to prepare the protective facil- day of a week ago to prepare for the execution of the police department- A-3 Herald-Examiner boney, yesterday yesterday of a law - allow a week time to be today. ment of the County in. Depart. thorize expenditure of an esti- Current activity in the hall of tion with the Sheriff. Los Angeles, Calif. as the judge and the court of the Sirlan were to the court. as the court was held, the Sirhan was tried, and the Court of the Court. as the Court was held. Current activity is in the Hall in the ninth floor- Los Angeles. Calif. courtroom partitions, but the court- courtroom and jail above the court, proof glass, steel plate, and on the ninth Floor- courtroom partition, and court- courtroom walls. tions. . Sirlhan was scheduled to leave on facilities below. in the second floor, hanging steel doors- Friday for the Central Men's Jail in the first time since Jan- in the third floor, hangings steel doors The was arrestor's Hotel Jim's June 5- closed with steel paints. the windows of the Central Time Jail windows so they can be steel- closed with Steel paints. the funds yesterday after Super- moments after Kennedy was far- injured in a burst of gunfire. visor Kenneth Hahn introduced. The jury after last set was last resolution declaring "a great- <loc_26><loc_612>The Friday date was an emergency exists "a wright- The Friday Friday date" was last last. <loc_248><loc_610><loc_331><loc_610><loc_331><loc_622><loc_248><loc_622>Editor:

Summary  
The documents detail security preparations, trial logistics, and investigative findings related to Sirhan B. Sirhan’s prosecution for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Security measures included constructing a bulletproof courtroom with steel plates, armor glass, and reinforced doors at the Los Angeles County Jail’s Hall of Justice (9th Floor). Emergency protective facilities were authorized by Sheriff Peter Pitchess to ensure safety during Sirhan’s trial. The courtroom was described as an "armored fortress" with partitions, steel barriers, restricted media access, and heightened guard details for Sirhan’s transport between jail and court. Psychiatric evaluations by Dr. George Y. Abe were conducted, and the trial involved legal proceedings, including a $210,629 cost estimate. Investigations referenced police reports of a freeway shooting incident involving Sirhan’s brother, Saldalah Bishara Sirhan, during a car pursuit on the Pasadena Freeway. Conflicting witness accounts and lack of conclusive evidence were noted in these inquiries. The case also included administrative forms (e.g., F.D-350) and references to media coverage by *Los Angeles Times* and *Herald-Examiner*.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan B. Sirhan**: Accused of assassinating RFK; subjected to psychiatric evaluation, security measures, and transport restrictions during trial.  
- **Saldalah Bishara Sirhan**: Sirhan’s brother, shot at during a car pursuit on the Pasadena Freeway.  
- **Sheriff Peter Pitchess**: Authorized emergency protective facilities for the trial.  
- **Dr. George Y. Abe**: Psychiatric examiner for Sirhan’s case.  
- **Russell F. Parsons**: Defense counsel representing Sirhan.  
- **Judge Richard Schauer**: Oversaw courtroom security and procedural decisions.  
- **Lt. Gerald Wright**: Police officer involved in freeway shooting investigation.  
- **Bashar Srivian**: Sirhan’s father, seeking family protection.  
- **Mary Shihan**: Sirhan’s mother, visited his jail cell.  
- **Mayor Yorty**: Commented on media coverage of the case.  
- **ACLU representatives**: Involved in monitoring legal proceedings and media reporting.  

Key Locations  
- **Los Angeles County Jail**: Site of Sirhan’s detention and transport to courtroom; included secure corridors and stairwells.  
- **Hall of Justice (9th Floor)**: Fortified courtroom with steel partitions, armor glass, and restricted access for spectators/media.  
- **Pasadena Freeway**: Location of the car pursuit incident involving Saldalah Bishara Sirhan.  
- **Ambassador Hotel**: Site of RFK’s assassination on June 5, 1968.  
- **Los Angeles County Jail (Central Men’s Jail)**: Sirhan’s pre-trial detention location.  
- **Pasadena Police Department**: Involved in investigations and witness interviews.  

Key Events  
- Construction of a bulletproof courtroom with steel plates, armor glass, and reinforced doors at Los Angeles County Jail for Sirhan’s trial.  
- Authorization of emergency security measures by Sheriff Pitchess and County supervisors to protect against threats during the trial.  
- Psychiatric evaluation of Sirhan by Dr. George Y. Abe.  
- Car pursuit on the Pasadena Freeway involving Saldalah Bishara Sirhan, with conflicting witness accounts and lack of conclusive evidence.  
- Legal proceedings for Sirhan’s trial, including courtroom security protocols, cost estimates ($210,629), and media restrictions.  
- Investigation into Sirhan’s citizenship status by the ACLU.  
- Media coverage of the case, including editorial comments by Mayor Yorty and public reactions.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department**: Oversaw security protocols, prisoner transport, and emergency protective facilities.  
- **Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors**: Approved protective measures for Sirhan’s trial.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Conducted investigations into the freeway shooting incident and RFK assassination.  
- **Pasadena Police Department**: Involved in witness interviews and investigations.  
- **FBI (Los Angeles field office)**: Mentioned in declassification markings but not directly involved in trial logistics.  
- **American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)**: Monitored legal proceedings and media reporting on Sirhan’s case.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-h_sec_003_ser_451-640-part_2_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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