</s>Concerning the so-called clerical error concerning People's 55 introduced at trial. Wolfer testified that he had handed over four test fired bullets to the Grand Jury (Grand Jury 5B) and had kept three fired bullets (what Wolfer described as three bullets in bullets in a unmarked coin envelope) and placed the envelope in his desk drawer and locked it. Wolffer felt that for security reasons these three test bullets should be placed in his custody in an that these three bullets remained in this custody until they were trial testimony at Wolfer's trial. In the weeks preceding his 1969 sentimental testimony, Wolfer put the wrong serial number, from the sub- particular Sirhan weapon. someone, whom Wolfer does not recall, the serial number of the before, on Grand Jury on June 7, 1968, which were also in an envelope, had the correct Sirhan gun serial number (352525). These four Grand Jury bullets, 5B, were found by the 1975 ballistics fired bullets introduced at trial, Exhibit 55. Throughout the cross examination of the Wolfer, Judge Wenne that the cross was found by was was the identification of exhibits which would assist the seven ballistics experts in their own test and examination. Wenke stressed that the manner and procedure of DeWaney Wolfer in his examination in 1968, Wolfer consulted and the reason for this consultation and examination was not to be a part of the ballistics examination informations. However, the judge ruled that the experts should have informances. How often, judge ruled the experts themselves. these tests would aid any of the experts himself. Wolfer stated that he put his initials D.W. in very small marketing stated that the he had put this initials in 1975 only with detectionation and oxidation to could find them in the rifle that he had no record or written notes to determine the rifle and grooves of the barrel, or the projection tell a pitch of the bullet from the barrel. Wolfer stated that it could not tell if the barrel revolver itself was in the same condition in September 1975 as it was in 1966. - 57 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The document details forensic analysis and legal proceedings surrounding the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), focusing on ballistics evidence, expert testimony, and jurisdictional disputes. Key findings include inconsistencies in linking recovered bullets to a single weapon, disputes over photographic and test procedures, and court rulings denying further investigations. Ballistic experts concluded no second gun was used, citing fragmented bullet markings and firing angles. Court orders in 1975 mandated re-examinations by seven experts, but results were deemed inconclusive. Discrepancies in muzzle distance estimates, witness accounts of multiple shooters, and unaddressed questions about a second weapon persisted. Legal challenges to new hearings or tests were rejected due to jurisdictional limits and claims that prior examinations were thorough. The document references FBI reports, autopsy findings, and controversies over suppressed evidence, including allegations of tampered exhibits and destroyed ceiling panel x-rays.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Bishara**: Assassin of RFK; weapon tested by experts.  
- **DeWayne Wolfer**: Ballistics expert who testified about bullet handling and test firings.  
- **Allard Lowenstein**: Criticized ballistics investigation, advocated for additional tests.  
- **Vincent Bugliosi**: Attorney involved in RFK case and later JFK assassination inquiry.  
- **Ted Charach**: Investigative reporter who claimed Caesar fired from the pantry.  
- **Dr. Noguchi**: Autopsy pathologist who concluded wounds matched a single shooter (Sirhan).  
- **Thane Caesar**: Security guard at Ambassador Hotel; alleged he retrieved his gun but did not fire it.  
- **Special Counsel Franz/Kranz**: Oversaw legal proceedings and investigations into RFK’s assassination.  
- **Judge Wenke**: Issued 1975 court orders requiring re-examination of ballistics exhibits.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Crime scene; referenced in discussions about bullet trajectories, ceiling panels, and pantry positioning.  
- **Los Angeles Superior Court**: Jurisdictional disputes over further tests or hearings.  
- **LAPD Property Division**: Handled evidence collection and bullet examination.  
- **County Clerk’s Office**: Involved in evidence preservation and potential mishandling of exhibits.  
- **Baxter Ward Hearings (1974)**: Context for photographic and ballistic analysis.  

Key Events  
- **June 5, 1968**: RFK assassinated at Ambassador Hotel pantry during campaign event.  
- **Grand Jury Testimony by Wolfer (1968)**: Addressed bullet handling errors and serial number discrepancies.  
- **1975 Court Order**: Mandated re-examination of ballistics exhibits by seven experts; results deemed inconclusive.  
- **Cross-Examinations of Experts**: Disagreements over linking bullets to Sirhan’s weapon, with some suggesting multiple firearms.  
- **Court Rulings (Judge Wenke)**: Denied requests for new tests or hearings due to jurisdictional limits and adequacy of prior examinations.  
- **Destruction of Ceiling Panel X-Rays**: Controversy over missing evidence potentially impacting conclusions about multiple shooters.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Conducted initial investigation; scrutinized for evidence handling.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in post-shooting inquiries and witness interviews.  
- **District Attorney’s Office**: Played role in legal proceedings and jurisdictional arguments.  
- **Grand Jury 5B**: Oversaw ballistics evidence review and testimony from Wolfer.  
- **Ballistic Panel**: Group of experts who conducted initial analyses of bullet evidence.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_ebf_1336_sec_001_ser_1336_only-part_5_of_6.pdf

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