</s>CASE PREPARATION 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Sirhan B. Sirhan was arrested on June 5, 1968, and charged with the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

A Case Preparation Team was established within Special Unit Senator to develop the Department's participation in the anticipated trial of Sirhan Sirhan. The team consisted of three investigators who were responsible for interviewing potential trial witnesses, evaluating and preserving evidence, and liaising between the District Attorney's Office and the Department.

The shooting scene was photographed by Scientific Investigation Division, and based on witnesses' statements, the location of each witness was marked with chalk on the floor. Photographs were then made of these marks, which were compared with photographs available from the night of the shooting.

Scale models were constructed of the pantry area and of the hotel itself to assist investigators and witnesses during the reenactment of the shooting conducted at the Ambassador Hotel.

Sirhan signed his name to a sign-in sheet at the San Gabriel Rifle Range on June 4, 1968. A handwriting expert attributed writings in two spiral notebooks and other papers to Sirhan. The expert found that the writing was consistent with Sirhan's signature.

A total of 155 items of evidence were collected during the investigation, including:

* A .22 caliber revolver used by Sirhan to shoot Kennedy
* Shells, brass, expended, 22 caliber, CCCR on base, not marked for identification
* Clothing worn by Senator Kennedy, including a shirt with RFK on the collar and a belt, man's, size 32, custom leather, black/brown, reversible
* A plastic bag containing an empty bottle, "American Red Cross," 100cc serum albumin, with 36" hose attached, and two sheets (bed) with blue stripe (Los Angels Receiving Hospital) bloodstained

Sirhan was interviewed by investigators and remained silent about the crime. He showed composure and relaxation during the interview, and it was noted that he fancied himself as an intellectual.

Key findings include:

* The true location of Sirhan at the time of the shooting was established as closely as possible by the statements of witnesses and through the use of photographs taken moments after the shooting.
* Bullet fragments removed from the night mastoid area of victim Kennedy
* Slug removed from the 6th cervical vertebra of Senator Kennedy during autopsy

People involved include:

* Sirhan B. Sirhan (suspect)
* Robert P. Kennedy (Senator)
* George William West (Andy) (witness)
* Dr. Thomas Noguchi (pathologist)
* Dr. John Garner (physician)

Evidence collected includes:

* Bullet fragments removed from victim Elizabeth Evans
* Slug removed from the 6th cervical vertebra of Senator Kennedy during autopsy
* Spent slugs found in Sirhan's vehicle
* Citation No. 39 4359 found in Sirhan's vehicle

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156_sec_002_ser_06-1968-02-1969-part_5_of_7.pdf

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