</s>COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES RICHARD S. BUCKLEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER PAUL G. BRECKENRIDGE, JR. PUBLIC DEFENDEN 402 HALL OF JUSTICE CHIEF DEPUTY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 900112 TELEPHONE 620-2481 June 15, 1968 RECEIVED JUN 1 8 1968 Hon. Warren Christopher Deputy Attorney General Deputy attorney General Department of Justice Washington, D. C ., 205030 In re: People of the State of California vs. Sirian Bishara Sirhan Superior Court No. A 23341 Public Defender No. 331775 This office has been appointed by the Court to represent Mr. Sirhan Bisharan Sirhan in connection with the above matter. In accordance with my telephone conversation of this after- noon with the Hon. William Matthew Byrne, Jr ., United States Attorney for the Central District of California, I am en- closing a letter to Mr. Bishare Salamem Sirhan, the father of the defendant, and respectfully request that you use your good offices to expedite the delivery of this letter. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Very P. Littler. encl. Wilbur P. Litters AIR MAIL Chief Trial Deputy 62-587-546 ENGLOSURE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E. 14176.

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into Pernell Ezzell, a former employee of Perdue Radio, Television and Appliances, Incorporated, who was missing as of June 6, 1968. Ezzell allegedly called Frank Wetzel, manager of the company, claiming he had obtained large sums of money from the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. He described his movements during the time of these events, including being in Orlando, Florida when King was shot, Las Vegas when Kennedy was shot, and stated he was employed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and an organization referred to as OST (likely an acronym for a government agency). Ezzell claimed possession of multiple firearms, including a "38," "357," "30-30," and "30-60" caliber weapons. He also mentioned carrying a gun permit (#92B) and being stopped by a deputy in Las Vegas with a firearm on the seat.  

Ezzell’s wife, Mrs. Fay Ezzell, reported his alcoholism, erratic behavior, and history of deserting her during their marriage. She noted he had been treated for alcoholism at hospitals in Orlando and Florida, including Cherry Hospital, but could not recall specific details. Ezzell allegedly called his wife multiple times from Denver, Colorado, claiming to have money but later being found drunk and penniless. He worked as a television technician by day and a guard for the Associated Detective Agency by night.  

The FBI noted Ezzell’s history of arrests for driving under the influence (1961) and auto theft (1962). A CIA check confirmed no records of Ezzell being employed by the agency. The document concludes that Ezzell should be considered armed and dangerous due to his reported firearm possession and alcoholism, though it does not confirm any involvement in assassination plots.  

Key People  
- **Pernell Ezzell**: Subject of the documents; alleged firearms possessor, missing individual, claimed involvement in assassinations of Dr. King and RFK, and history of alcoholism.  
- **Frank Wetzel**: Manager at Perdue Radio, Television and Appliances, Incorporated; contacted by Ezzell regarding his alleged involvement in RFK’s assassination.  
- **Mrs. Fay Ezzell**: Ezzell’s wife; reported his alcoholism, erratic behavior, and interactions with authorities.  
- **Dr. Herbert Collins**: Medical professional who treated Ezzell for alcoholism.  
- **James Watford**: Officer from the Kissimmee Police Department; reported Ezzell’s claims of CIA affiliation to the FBI.  

Key Locations  
- **Orlando, Florida**: Ezzell’s residence and location of medical treatment for alcoholism; home to Dr. Herbert Collins.  
- **Denver, Colorado**: Location of a phone call between Ezzell and Wetzel.  
- **Las Vegas, Nevada**: Alleged stop by deputy with firearm on the seat; claimed presence during RFK’s assassination.  
- **Fayetteville, North Carolina**: Birthplace of Ezzell; home of his mother and brother.  

Key Events  
- **June 6, 1968**: Ezzell called Frank Wetzel from Denver, Colorado, claiming he had obtained money from the assassinations of Dr. King and RFK and possessed multiple firearms.  
- **April–May 1968**: Ezzell received treatment for alcoholism at Cherry Hospital and other facilities.  
- **July 5, 1967**: Officer James Watford reported Ezzell told his wife he was a CIA agent; the FBI investigated but found no evidence of his employment with the agency.  
- **August 4–28, 1967**: CIA and FBI reviewed claims about Ezzell’s ties to intelligence agencies; no conclusive evidence was found.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Monitored Ezzell’s activities, noted his possession of a firearm, and labeled him "armed and dangerous."  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Investigated claims that Ezzell was an agent; no records confirmed his employment.  
- **Perdue Radio, Television and Appliances, Incorporated**: Employed Ezzell as a television technician; he was a former employee with a history of absenteeism.  
- **Associated Detective Agency**: Employed Ezzell as a guard by night.  
- **Orlando, Florida Police Department**: Maintained records of Ezzell’s arrests for driving under the influence and auto theft in 1961–1962.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_013_ser_511-584-part_3_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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