</s>Vol. 1.1.4. 5/1562Z P.a. County Grand Jury P.A. County Gral Jury Proncripes r. H.d. County Clerk Offfies D.A ., County Clerk 3/11/11 P.P. 2/2-4/2 4/2 - 4/6 P.C.F. 2-3/4/12/13/14/15/16 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fbi - Central RECORDS CENTER FBI - LOS ANGELES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <loc_98><loc_816><loc_96><loc_815>- - - - - - -<loc_98><loc_852>- - - - - - <loc_96><loc_856>- -<loc_96><loc_855><loc_96><loc_855><loc_98><loc_854>- - - - -<loc_97><loc_854>-

Summary:  
The document details grand jury proceedings in Los Angeles County concerning the Sirhan Bishara Sirhan trial for the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Testimony focuses on exhibit management, access protocols, and legal restrictions on evidence handling. Key topics include the use of exhibit review slips, court orders from Judge Walker (May 20, 1969) restricting public access to original exhibits, and procedural changes to secure exhibit storage. Witnesses described administrative challenges, such as missing records, security upgrades like safes with combination locks, and reorganization of exhibit rooms. The Sirhan case was noted as a death penalty trial requiring specialized handling, with efforts to improve transparency and compliance with judicial directives.  

Key People:  
- **Peter J. Talmachoff**: Clerk’s Office employee overseeing exhibit procedures and addressing record-keeping issues.  
- **Marilyn M. Hassett**: Chief Clerk of the District Attorney’s office, previously employed in the clerk’s office, who testified about interactions with Talmachoff.  
- **Charles E. Collins**: LAPD officer involved in the Sirhan case investigation and exhibit access protocols.  
- **Robert E. Sours**: Head of Court Services managing exhibit storage and security procedures.  
- **David Fitts**: Deputy District Attorney (later judge) collaborating on exhibit reviews with Collins.  
- **William G. Sharp**: Chief of the Criminal Division at the County Clerk’s Office.  

Key Locations:  
- **Los Angeles County Courthouse**: Site of grand jury hearings.  
- **Clerk’s Office (4th floor)**: Central to exhibit management and court order enforcement.  
- **Vault area**: New location for exhibit viewing after procedural changes.  
- **Criminal Courts Building**: Planned improvements for exhibit storage and security.  

Key Events:  
- **Grand Jury Proceedings**: Conducted August 17–18, 1971, focusing on Sirhan case evidence handling and exhibit review practices.  
- **Court Orders by Judges Alarcon and Walker**: Restricted public access to original exhibits in the Sirhan case.  
- **Security Upgrades**: Implementation of safes with combination locks, guide envelopes for record management, and reorganization of exhibit storage areas.  
- **Exhibit Review Procedures**: Testimony about requirements for accessing exhibits, including court orders and form submissions.  
- **Improvements Documented in "Grand Jury Exhibit 54"**: Highlighted changes to exhibit management since August 1969, including relocation of exhibits and enhanced security systems.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Los Angeles County Clerk’s Office**: Administered exhibit storage, security protocols, and court order enforcement.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Involved in the Sirhan case investigation and evidence handling.  
- **District Attorney’s Office**: Collaborated on exhibit procedures and grand jury proceedings.  
- **California Council of Criminal Justice**: Requested a grant for exhibit security studies.  
- **Grand Jury**: Conducted hearings to review evidence and procedural compliance in the Sirhan case.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-z_sec_002_ser_1_only-part_1_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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