</s>action henry LIMITED OFFICIAL USE PAGE 21 PRAGUE 883535 20119382 REA385 83 ACTION SY 04 ACTION SY 0A INFO /204 W DEPARTMENT OF STATE TELEGRAM INFO / 204 W F# R21545FZ FEB 69 F# AMBEMBASSY VIENNA 834125 FM AMBASSYSY VIENA FM AMEBASSY VENNA INFO SECSISTATE VASHDC 6227 LICHTED OFFICIAL USE PRAGUCE 0395 Lick from L.gusty state REF: VIENNEA 0899 REF: VENNEAN 5R.D.Caffeeo SY CHANNEL DEPT FOR SY/T LENSENT VIENNA FOR RSO CASE 1. PRESS PRESS AND CULTURE ATTACTE ATTACHNE AMERKASSY PRAGUSY PRAGUE HAS J. PRESS AND CONTACTUS WORKING FOR THE STATE RADIO STATION QUIRIED HIS CONTACTS WORKING DENY THE STATE RADIO STATIONS IN PRAGUC. STATUATION OFFICIALS DENY EVER HAVING TRANSMILITED A BULLETINESIGSING SENATOR KENNEDY HAS BEEN ASSASSINATED ON MAY 15. MEGO BONNIEA 2. ONE ASSASSY OFFICER DID REPORT HEARING 0800 NEWCAST DATE APPROXIMATION MAY IS ORIGINATING DEUTSING DEUTSLAND 7 DATE APPRECIATION MAY MAY IS ORGANIZING DEPUTSCHLAND DEPARTMEN OF STATE TELERAM DATE FROM UNKNOWN MADE SERVICE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATION REACTION WAS MADE CLAIMING THE ORIGINAL REPORT WAS REACTION WAS CLAMING THE UNICH SENATOR FLINCHED FROM GLARE OF REFERING PRESS FLASHBUILDS. 3. POSSIBLE REPORT HEARD VIA BROADCASTING CHANNELS IN PRAGE ORIGINATED OUTSIDE OF CSCRASS-REC-12-567-1122 4. UNABLE TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION OF ORGIN OF RECAPT OR FACTS WHICH SHED MIGHT DIONAL FACS. ON SUBJECT. BEAM A MAR 3.1969 - - -

The document compiles multiple sources detailing the legal proceedings and investigative efforts surrounding the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. It includes FBI records, State Department telegrams, and Los Angeles County District Attorney Office (DA) summaries from 1968–1969. Key elements include:  
- A February 1969 State Department telegram referencing an unspecified assassination report in Prague, with unclear context.  
- An FBI March 1969 document noting Fred Michaelson, a federal prisoner incarcerated in Missouri, who claimed knowledge of assassinations involving RFK, President John F. Kennedy (JFK), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and others. The FBI noted Michaelson’s refusal to elaborate due to legal restrictions.  
- A DA weekly summary (#38) from February 1969 detailing the trial of Sirhan B. Sirhan for RFK’s assassination, including witness testimonies, court proceedings, and discussions about premeditation, potential conspiracy, and sentencing considerations.  

The trial of Sirhan B. Sirhan involved extensive testimony from witnesses such as Mrs. Elizabeth Evans, Ira Goldstein, Officer Travis White, Alvin Clark (a Pasadena trash collector who befriended Sirhan), Irwin Stroll (a Kennedy volunteer injured during the assassination), William Weisel (another injured individual), Dr. Stanley Abo (who treated RFK post-assault), Miriam Davis (a campaign worker who allegedly saw Sirhan at a hotel prior to the shooting), and Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi (county medical examiner conducting RFK’s autopsy). Prosecution presented evidence including fingerprints found on Sirhan’s car, a sales slip for ammunition purchased from a Pasadena gun shop, and testimony about premeditation. Defense arguments included claims that Sirhan was intoxicated or in a trance during the assassination, countered by pupil-reaction tests indicating sobriety. Legal disputes arose over sealing court transcripts and secret sessions, with prosecutors advocating for transparency. Motions for mistrial due to alleged prejudicial media coverage were denied by Judge Herbert V. Walker. The trial’s estimated cost reached $995,960 by January 31, 1969, with County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn expressing willingness to fund it to avoid a repeat of the Warren Commission-style investigation.  

Key People:  
- **Sirhan B. Sirhan**: Accused assassin of RFK; central figure in the trial and investigations.  
- **Fred Michaelson**: Federal prisoner who claimed knowledge of assassinations involving RFK, JFK, Dr. King, and others; incarcerated in Missouri prisons.  
- **Judge Herbert V. Walker**: Superior Court judge overseeing Sirhan’s trial.  
- **Lynn D. Compton**: Chief Deputy District Attorney leading the prosecution.  
- **Grant B. Cooper**: Defense attorney representing Sirhan.  
- **Alvin Clark**: Pasadena trash collector and friend of Sirhan; testified about their interactions post-Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.  
- **Irwin Stroll**: Kennedy volunteer injured during the assassination; filed a lawsuit against Sirhan for injuries sustained.  
- **William Weisel**: Injured individual at the scene of the shooting.  
- **Dr. Stanley Abo**: Physician who treated RFK post-assault, describing his physical condition and interactions with Ethel Kennedy.  
- **Miriam Davis**: Kennedy campaign worker who allegedly saw Sirhan at a hotel prior to the assassination.  
- **Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi**: County medical examiner conducting RFK’s autopsy; faced potential disciplinary action due to delays in the process.  
- **Roosevelt Grier**: Witness testifying about events during the assassination.  
- **Jesse Unruth**: Assemblyman who expressed concerns about a repeat of Lee Harvey Oswald’s fate.  
- **Valerie Schulte**: Former RFK campaign manager; testified about her encounter with Sirhan.  
- **David N. Pitts**: Deputy District Attorney overseeing the prosecution.  

Key Locations:  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Site of RFK’s assassination and subsequent trial proceedings.  
- **Pasadena, California**: Location of a gun shop where Sirhan purchased ammunition for his .22-caliber revolver.  
- **Los Angeles County Courthouse**: Venue for Sirhan’s trial and legal proceedings.  
- **Missouri prisons**: Where Fred Michaelson was incarcerated.  
- **Prague, Czechoslovakia**: Mentioned in a State Department telegram (context unclear).  

Key Events:  
- **Assassination of RFK** on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Trial of Sirhan B. Sirhan**, including witness testimonies about premeditation, the shooting sequence, and potential conspiracy.  
- **FBI investigation** into Fred Michaelson’s claims about assassinations involving RFK, JFK, and Dr. King.  
- **Legal disputes** over sealing court transcripts and secret sessions, with prosecutors advocating for public transparency.  
- **Defense arguments** attempting to portray Sirhan as intoxicated or in a trance during the assassination, countered by evidence of sobriety.  
- **Motions for mistrial** due to alleged prejudicial media coverage, denied by Judge Walker.  
- **Discussions about plea bargains and sentencing**, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty but facing reduced chances due to psychiatric reports.  
- **Investigation into the gun used in the assassination**, including its sale to Sirhan’s brother Munir and subsequent ownership history.  
- **Testimony from witnesses** regarding Sirhan’s alleged motives, such as anger toward civil rights leaders post-Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.  
- **Controversy over Dr. Noguchi’s handling of the autopsy**, leading to potential disciplinary action.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office**: Conducted the trial of Sirhan B. Sirhan and oversaw prosecution efforts.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Investigated Fred Michaelson’s claims about assassinations.  
- **State Department**: Referenced an unrelated assassination report in Prague.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department**: Involved fingerprint experts in evidence collection.  
- **Warren Commission**: Referenced as a potential alternative investigation if the trial proceeded differently.  
- **Los Angeles Times**: Reported on trial developments and testimony.  
- **County Medical Examiner’s Office**: Oversaw the autopsy of Robert F. Kennedy.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_040_ser_1107-1124-part_6_of_6.pdf

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