</s>It was for this reason that the Grand Jury conducted its investigation, and a court order was obtained directing the County Clerk to preserve the evidence and not to allow persons other than the clerk to wear representatives, to view evidence. At trial, the evidence was held in the case. At the termination of the case, a court clerk assigned to the case, at the presiding judge where, a clerk show that he held the chambers of the presiding Judge A court order from Judge Walker was obtained which directed the clerk's show that exhibits the attorneys of record only, and only when notice had been given to the other side. This was to insure the evidence, and to insure that the integrity of any viewing of the evidence, to ensure that the jury was exhibits would be preserved. However, no member of the District until May 1977 staff was ever given notice by the County Clerk's Office examining the exhibits during almost a year. Many of the people by unauthorized persons for almost a Year. Many to have proper examinating under previous court orders for access to the Sirhan exhibitions. 1975 - Proposed Tests By 1975, new criticism of Sirhan case involved several law enforcement agencies. Previous two-gun advocates and critics had been noticeably critical of L.A.P.A .- criminalist Delaney Wolfe and the possibility of serious ballistics evidence discrepancy, But in light of the cloud of suspicion concerning government after with much scandal, by the term official version was received repeatedly heard that not only the L. A.P ., but the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office in general, and, District Attorney preventing in particular, were stonewalling, covering up, and had one demand that was central to their theme: demand that the Sirhan weapon that was fired. Despite the fact that at the Ward Hirhan was a classical microprocessor and Herbert MacDonnell tested that the test fired. bullets with the test held bullets would be a necessary preliminary step before any determination could be made as to the with the Wolfer test fired bullets and the need to be matched up gun would be moot). a growing demand was made that the Sirahan weapon referred. Habees Corps and a attorney, Godfrey Isaac, had filed a writ of Error Coram Nobis in the State Supreme court in January, 1975, alleging every previously cited theory of the following allegations of William Harper, Herbert MacDonnell, Violin, the affiliants of William Harper, the 1974 Baxter Ward hearings, but, but The State Supreme Court turned down the writ in February 1975. This did not seem to discuss the critites that there should be a new complete reinvestigation of the Robert Kennedy murder. 20 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details the RFK assassination investigation, focusing on forensic challenges, evidence handling disputes, and legal proceedings. Ballistics analysis of bullets recovered from Kennedy, victims Goldstein and Weisel, and test-fired rounds from Sirhan’s weapon were examined by experts such as Stanton Berg, Lowell Bradford, Charles Morton, Ralph Turner, and Dewayne Wolfer. While some bullets matched Sirhan’s gun in gross and microscopic characteristics, definitive identification was hindered by inconsistent markings and leaded barrel conditions. Critics of the original trial requested a 1975 re-examination of ballistics evidence due to alleged cover-ups and mishandling by law enforcement. Cross-examinations revealed gaps in Wolfer’s documentation and conflicting expert testimonies about whether all bullets originated from the same weapon. The destruction of physical evidence, including ceiling panels and x-rays, was criticized as undermining the investigation’s integrity. Legal challenges included court disputes over evidence preservation, unauthorized access to exhibits, and media advocacy for transparency. Special Counsel Thomas F. Kranz reviewed the case in 1975, finding no conclusive evidence of conspiracies or additional bullets beyond Sirhan’s weapon. Testimonies from witnesses like Richard Strobel (AP photo editor), Angelo DiPierro, and carpenters Dale Poore and Wesley Harrington described conflicting accounts of bullet trajectories and crime scene conditions. Theories about a second gunman, hypnosis (“Manchurian Candidate”), or political affiliations were explored but lacked conclusive evidence. Forensic analysis linked Sirhan’s gun to bullets from Kennedy’s wounds, though medical reports confirmed the fatal head wound at close range. Legal proceedings included Sirhan’s 1968 conviction for murder and firearms violations, upheld by appellate courts despite appeals for a life sentence.  

Key People  
- **Stanton Berg**: Forensic expert who linked some bullets to Sirhan’s gun but noted insufficient markings for definitive identification.  
- **Lowell Bradford**: Concluded no evidence of a second gun but acknowledged limitations in ballistics analysis.  
- **Charles Morton & Ralph Turner**: Found no conclusive link between all three bullets and Sirhan’s weapon, though partial matches were observed.  
- **Dewayne Wolfer**: LAPD forensic criminalist whose testimony faced scrutiny over documentation gaps and methodological inconsistencies.  
- **Richard Strobel**: AP photo editor who disputed the accuracy of the assassination photograph’s caption and bullet hole details.  
- **Angelo DiPierro**: Witness who initially described a “bullet hole” in the pantry but later revised his account.  
- **Dale Poore & Wesley Harrington**: Carpenters who removed wood panels from the Ambassador Hotel, denying seeing bullets or fragments.  
- **Thomas F. Kranz**: Special Counsel appointed to review the case independently in 1975, finding no evidence of conspiracies.  
- **Sirhan Sirhan**: Convicted assassin; subject of theories about hypnosis, political affiliations, and potential cover-ups.  
- **Lillian Castellano**: Critic who argued multiple bullets were fired, citing FBI records and photographs.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Site of the assassination; focus on the kitchen, pantry, and double door area.  
- **Ceiling panels & door frames**: Central to debates over bullet trajectories and physical evidence.  
- **Los Angeles County Courthouse**: Venue for court proceedings and evidence handling disputes.  
- **Pasadena City College**: Mentioned in context of Sirhan’s alleged political affiliations.  
- **Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant (Pasadena)**: Site of a meeting between Sirhan and a Communist Party member.  

Key Events  
- **1975 Ballistics Retesting**: Requested by critics to re-examine Sirhan’s weapon and bullets due to alleged cover-ups.  
- **Cross-Examination of Wolfer**: Revealed gaps in documentation, inconsistent testimony, and questions about his methods.  
- **Carpenter Testimony on Wood Panel Removal**: Conflicting accounts of whether bullets were embedded in panels or altered post-assassination.  
- **Special Counsel Kranz’s Review (1975)**: Found no support for theories involving multiple bullets or removed evidence.  
- **Forensic Analysis of Bullets**: Linked Sirhan’s gun to some recovered bullets but failed to conclusively identify all.  
- **Medical Examination of Kennedy**: Confirmed fatal head wound at close range, with additional wounds in the armpit and side.  
- **Legal Proceedings (1968–1975)**: Included trial, appeals, and court challenges over evidence preservation and disclosure.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Involved in initial investigation, evidence handling, and witness interviews.  
- **Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office**: Oversaw legal proceedings and appointed Kranz as Special Counsel.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Mentioned in context of records related to bullet hole analysis and Communist Party inquiries.  
- **Ballistics Panel (1975)**: Conducted re-examinations of ballistic evidence under Kranz’s review.  
- **American Academy of Forensic Sciences**: Referenced in discussions about forensic standards and independent crime laboratories.  
- **Communist Party (U.S.)**: Investigated for potential ties to Sirhan, though no evidence of influence was found.  
- **Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)**: Produced a documentary on political assassinations, including RFK’s case.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156_sec_017_ser_3216-3231-part_3_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search