</s>62-567-807 FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HQ - HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 006E 587 1 807 only # 3246 7/18/143519 7/8/144519 RRP00AFAZQT 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains transcripts of Grand Jury proceedings held on June 7, 1968, in Los Angeles County, California, regarding Sirhan Bishara Sirhan’s indictment for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The proceedings detail Sirhan’s arrest and the circumstances of the shooting at the Ambassador Hotel following the Democratic primary election on June 5, 1968. Testimonies from witnesses, including Paul Ziffren and Dr. Henry M. Cuneo, describe Kennedy’s injuries, medical treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital, and his death on June 6, 1968. Forensic evidence, such as bullet fragments, a tracheostomy performed on Kennedy, and an autopsy conducted by Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi, are referenced. A second summary outlines Dr. Noguchi’s autopsy findings, which identified three gunshot wounds: one in the right mastoid (head), another in the right axillary region (armpit), and a third near the sixth cervical vertebra in the back. The head wound was determined to be the cause of death due to brain damage, while the other injuries contributed to complications. Dr. Noguchi noted powder tattooing on the right ear, indicating close-range firing. Additional pathologists present included John E. Holloway, Abraham T. Lu, Colonel Pierre Finch, Commander Charles Stahl, and Dr. Kenneth Earle. A diagram of the Ambassador Hotel’s second-floor kitchen area was prepared by Sergeant Albert J. LaVallee for the grand jury. A third summary includes testimony from Irwin Stroll, a witness who described his position near the Embassy Room entrance (marked as "S-1") and observed Senator Kennedy entering through the podium door, delivering a speech, and exiting via a curtain behind the podium. Stroll noted Jesse Unruh, Pierre Salinger, and Stephen Smith (Kennedy’s brother-in-law) were present during the event. A signal from Stephen Smith prompted Stroll to move toward the podium door, where he encountered Mrs. Kennedy and was struck by gunfire. The testimony references a diagram (Exhibit 1) of the Embassy Room floor plan, including locations such as "Stage Anteoroom," "Fall Ramp," and double doors with curtains. Security guards and press personnel are also mentioned.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirhan**: Accused of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy.  
- **Robert F. Kennedy**: U.S. Senator from New York, shot and killed during a campaign event at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Paul Ziffren**: Witness who identified Kennedy in photographs and confirmed his status as a senator.  
- **Dr. Henry M. Cuneo**: Physician who treated Kennedy at Good Samaritan Hospital, detailing his critical condition and surgical interventions.  
- **Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi**: Chief Medical Examiner of Los Angeles County, who performed an autopsy on Kennedy.  
- **Irwin Stroll**: Witness to the assassination, described his position near the Embassy Room entrance and observed events leading to the shooting.  
- **Jesse Unruh**: Present during the event at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Pierre Salinger**: Present during the event at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Stephen Smith**: Kennedy’s brother-in-law; signaled Stroll to move toward the podium door.  
- **Mrs. Kennedy**: Located near Stroll during the shooting.  
- **Roosevelt Grier**: Covered Mrs. Kennedy during the shooting.  
- **John E. Holloway, M.D.**: Deputy medical examiner involved in autopsy proceedings.  
- **Abraham T. Lu, M.D.**: Pathologist present during the autopsy.  
- **Colonel Pierre Finch**: Pathologist from Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.  
- **Commander Charles Stahl**: Pathologist from Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.  
- **Dr. Kenneth Earle**: Neuropathology expert involved in autopsy proceedings.  
- **Sergeant Albert J. LaVallee**: Los Angeles Police Department Survey Unit member who prepared a diagram of the Ambassador Hotel’s kitchen area.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Site of the assassination on June 5, 1968; specific areas include Embassy Room, podium area, kitchen doors, Fall Ramp, Stage Anteoroom, S-1 door (Embassy Room entrance), and curtain-covered double doors.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles**: Where Senator Kennedy was treated following the shooting and where Dr. Noguchi conducted the autopsy.  
- **Grand Jury Courtroom, Los Angeles County**: Location of the proceedings to determine charges against Sirhan Sirhan.  

Key Events  
- **June 5, 1968**: Sirhan Bishara Sirhan shot Senator Robert F. Kennedy and others at the Ambassador Hotel after the Democratic primary election.  
- **June 6, 1968**: Kennedy died at Good Samaritan Hospital following a tracheostomy and craniotomy to address his injuries.  
- **June 7, 1968**: Grand Jury proceedings commenced to determine charges against Sirhan Sirhan, including testimony about the medical treatment of Kennedy and forensic evidence from the crime scene.  
- **Autopsy conducted on June 6, 1968**, identifying three gunshot wounds: head, armpit, and back; determination that the head wound caused death due to brain damage.  
- **Testimony regarding powder tattooing** indicating the gun was fired at a very close range.  
- **Preparation of a diagram by Sergeant Albert J. LaVallee** detailing the Ambassador Hotel’s kitchen area for the grand jury.  
- **Irwin Stroll’s account**: Described Senator Kennedy’s arrival and speech in the Embassy Room, movement through designated doors, signal from Stephen Smith prompting him to approach the podium, gunfire incident resulting in Stroll being struck, Mrs. Kennedy’s location during the shooting, press personnel movement, and reference to a floor plan diagram (Exhibit 1).  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office**: Oversaw the investigation and provided transcripts of the Grand Jury proceedings.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital**: Provided medical care to Senator Kennedy following the assassination.  
- **Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office**: Conducted the autopsy on Senator Kennedy, performed by Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi.  
- **Armed Forces Institute of Pathology**: Provided pathologists for consultation during the autopsy proceedings (Colonel Pierre Finch, Commander Charles Stahl).  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (Survey Unit)**: Included Sergeant Albert J. LaVallee, who prepared a diagram of the Ambassador Hotel’s kitchen area.  
- **Grand Jury of Los Angeles County**: Conducted proceedings to determine charges against Sirhan Bishara Sirhan.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_ebf_807_sec_001_ser_807_only-part_1_of_6.pdf

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