</s>CLASSIFICATION NO. 56-156-9 Dally H-T-Fruil Proueing January-Fekuary-February-Pekhury FULL NAME: FULL HAME: FULL Name: FULL #: FULL name: FULL 1: FULL 2: FULL 3: FULL 4: FULL 5: FULL 6: FBL 6: FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER FBL 7: FBI - LOS ANGELES FBL 8: FBL 9: FBL 10: FBL 11: FBL 12: FBL 13: FFL 14: FBL 15: FFL 16: FBL 17: FBL 18: FBL 19: FBL 20: FBL 21: FBL 22: FFL 23: FFL 24: FFL 25: FBL 26: FBL 27: FFL 28: FFL 29: FBL 30: FBL 31: FBL 32: FBL 34: FBL 35: FBL 36: FFL 37: FBL 38: FRL 39: FBL 40: FBL 41: FBL 42:<loc_262><loc_421><loc_275><loc_421><loc_275><loc_418>FBL 43: FBL 44: FFL 49: FBL 48:<loc_262><loc_423>FBL 49: FL 49. 2: FRL 49: FFL 48: FFL 50: FRL 51: FL 52: FBL 52: FFL 53: FBL 54: FFL 54: FFL 56: FFL 58: FBL 56: FBL 59: FRL 59:<loc_263><loc_371><loc_262><loc_378>FBL 58:<loc_262><loc_428>FBL 51: FBL 53: <loc_275><loc_424><loc_262><loc_424>FFL 59: FFL 63:<loc_263><loc_426>FFL 64:<loc_262><loc_388>FBL 64:

Summary  
The documents detail FBI records related to the trial of Sirhan Bishara Sirian for the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Proceedings in Los Angeles County Superior Court began on January 6, 1969, with defense attorneys, including Grant B. Cooper, filing motions to challenge jury selection procedures and request separate juries for guilt and penalty determinations. Judge Herbert V. Walker initially denied these motions but deferred decisions until jury selection. Defense questioned prospective jurors about familiarity with the Ambassador Hotel on June 4-5, 1968, and potential bias from media coverage. The trial faced delays due to juror examinations, with some dismissed for cause or personal reasons. On January 23, 1969, the trial continued, and the FBI noted the presence of foreign dignitaries, including Chief Justice and a justice from Uruguay, in court. Subsequent records describe ongoing motions regarding grand jury practices, the continuation of the trial to January 29, and instructions for jurors to return on January 30. By February 5, 1969, alternate jurors were selected, and sequestration was ordered at Baldwin Hotel. The FBI reported visits by Yuri Zhukov (Soviet Supreme Soviet member) and Boris Orkhov (Pravda-affiliated) with Robert Gibson of the *Los Angeles Times*, alongside preparations for witness testimony using hotel area mock-ups.  

Key People  
- Sirhan Bishara Sirian: Defendant accused of assassinating RFK.  
- Grant B. Cooper: Defense attorney challenging jury procedures.  
- Herbert V. Walker: Presiding judge overseeing trial.  
- David Fitts: Los Angeles County District Attorney.  
- William A. Goodwin: Jury commissioner.  
- John Howard: Deputy District Attorney prosecuting Sirian.  
- Harold Fredani: Coordinator for Los Angeles Superior Court system.  
- Yuri Zhukov: Soviet Union Supreme Soviet member.  
- Boris Orkhov: Affiliated with Pravda, Russian government representative.  
- Robert Gibson: *Los Angeles Times* foreign editor accompanying Russian officials.  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles County Superior Court: Site of Sirian’s trial.  
- FBI Headquarters (Central Records Center, Los Angeles): Location of records.  
- U.S. District Court, Los Angeles: Jurisdictional reference.  
- Baldwin Hotel (Los Angeles): Sequestration site for jurors.  
- Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles): Site of RFK’s assassination.  
- New York and Russia: Home countries of Zhukov and Orkhov.  

Key Events  
- January 6, 1969: Trial commenced with motions to challenge jury selection.  
- January 23, 1969: Trial continued; foreign dignitaries present in court.  
- February 5, 1969: Alternate jurors selected; jurors sequestered at Baldwin Hotel.  
- February 7, 1969: Zhukov and Orkhov visited trial with Robert Gibson as guide.  
- February 10, 1969: Mock-up of assassination hotel area prepared for testimony.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Monitored trial proceedings and foreign involvement.  
- Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office: Prosecuted Sirian.  
- Los Angeles County Superior Court: Oversaw legal processes and jury selection.  
- *Los Angeles Times*: Represented by Robert Gibson, who accompanied Russian officials.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-t_sec_001_ser_1--part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search