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Summary  
The document details FBI involvement in the RFK assassination investigation, focusing on administrative decisions, trial proceedings, and witness interactions. The FBI declined to re-examine firearms evidence from the case due to policy constraints and concerns over disputes, despite LAPD requests for duplication of examinations. Trial activities in Los Angeles County Superior Court included jury selection via a computerized system, legal challenges regarding juror bias, and discussions about potential death penalty sentencing. Defense attorneys argued Sirhan B. Sirhan’s actions were influenced by obsessive thinking rather than premeditation. The District Attorney’s Office provided weekly summaries of case developments to the media, including references to evidence like scale models of the Ambassador Hotel. Separate FBI inquiries in 1969 explored allegations of additional conspirators beyond Sirhan, involving Mrs. Victor Wantuck and Ethel May Arens, though these claims were later denied by the latter.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan B. Sirhan**: Accused assassin of Senator Robert F. Kennedy; central figure in all summaries.  
- **Grant B. Cooper**: Defense attorney for Sirhan, emphasized mental state over premeditation.  
- **David N. Fitts**: Deputy District Attorney prosecuting Sirhan, questioned jurors about capital punishment views.  
- **Herbert V. Walker**: Superior Judge overseeing trial procedures and juror selection.  
- **Mrs. Victor Wantuck**: Contacted FBI in 1969 alleging involvement of unnamed individuals beyond Sirhan in RFK’s assassination.  
- **Ethel May Arens**: Apartment manager interviewed by FBI; denied knowledge of RFK assassination plots but discussed past threats against other public figures.  

Key Locations  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Trial location (Los Angeles Hall of Justice, Los Angeles County Superior Court), Ambassador Hotel (site of assassination).  
- **112 South Hoover Street, Los Angeles**: Address associated with Mrs. Victor Wantuck.  
- **103 South Occidental Street, Los Angeles**: Address linked to Ethel May Arens.  

Key Events  
- **FBI Declination**: FBI refused to re-examine firearms evidence from RFK’s assassination case due to policy and dispute concerns.  
- **Jury Selection Process**: Jurors were vetted for biases, media exposure, and views on the death penalty; challenges arose over potential juror opposition to capital punishment.  
- **Legal Challenges**: Defense contested grand jury selection procedures; prosecutors sought to exclude jurors opposed to the death penalty.  
- **Witness Inquiries**: FBI interviewed Mrs. Wantuck and Ethel May Arens in 1969 regarding alleged conspirators, though Arens denied providing specific details about RFK’s assassination.  
- **Security Measures**: Sirhan was under strict security at the Los Angeles Hall of Justice during trial proceedings.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted administrative reviews, coordinated with LAPD, and investigated witness claims.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Requested duplication of firearms evidence examinations but was denied by FBI.  
- **Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office**: Provided weekly case summaries to media; oversaw prosecution of Sirhan.  
- **National Archives**: Discussed as a potential repository for RFK assassination case files.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_038_ser_1070-1105-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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