</s>LA 56-156. It has previously been reported that various individuals travelling, particularly in the Middle East, alleged that they heard radio broadcasts concerning the assassination of Senator ROBERT P. KENNEDY prior to the time that the actual event occurred in Investigation was consequences that the government was investigating the these reports. Foreign the Department of State, information was received that the Press and Cultural Attache at the Embassy at Prague queried individuals working for the State Radio station in Prague. Station officials denied ever kevinly been assassinated on May 15, 1968. One Embassy Officer did report hearing a news- cast on approximately May 15. 1968, originating from Deutschland in "Funk!" used in information received from a common news service. Several minutes later, a reraction was made, claiming the original senator flinched from the glare of nearby flash bulbs. The possible report heard via broadcasting channels in Prague originating outside of "GSSA" The report reflects that the Embassy at Prague was unable to obtain further information on the origin of the report or fact which magio sheet additional information on the subject. -92- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail U.S. government investigations into reports and witness accounts surrounding the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on May 15, 1968 (or June 5, 1968, as noted in other summaries). The Embassy in Prague received information about radio broadcasts allegedly discussing RFK’s assassination prior to the event, though no definitive source was identified. A broadcast from "Funk!" in Deutschland and a later rerun mentioning RFK flinching from flashbulbs were noted but could not be traced. In March 1969, FBI agents interviewed individuals connected to the Joe Pyne TV Show in Los Angeles (1967), including Mrs. Jeranelly and Mr. Buckel, who recalled discussions about potential threats against RFK but no direct evidence. Donald Clark, linked to Francis De Buda, was questioned regarding his knowledge of Sirhan Bishara and alleged conversations about the assassination. Roy Murray of California claimed he had pledged money for a "contract" to kill RFK if he received the Democratic presidential nomination. Marvin Pappan in Oklahoma described an individual with a green Lincoln Continental who expressed dislike for RFK, though no direct link was established. Rhyne (Rhynes) from Oklahoma was interviewed about his weapons collection and alleged ties to groups like the Minutemen, denying involvement but admitting ownership of firearms including shotguns and AR15 rifles.  

The FBI and Secret Service investigated witness accounts, letters, and physical evidence. Don Wise provided conflicting statements about picking up an individual linked to RFK’s assassination in Oklahoma City. Patricia Wells, a 16-year-old student in Houston, Texas, wrote a letter to Ethel Kennedy alleging a plot against Senator Kennedy, but the FBI found no connection. Mrs. A. Wantuck mentioned a woman named Arens who allegedly predicted RFK’s assassination, which Ethel Arens denied. Stus Pruszynski, a Canadian reporter at the Ambassador Hotel during the event, recorded audio of the incident, analyzed by the FBI Laboratory. Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was convicted of murder and assault in 1969 following his trial in Los Angeles, with a death sentence imposed.  

Key People  
- **Robert F. Kennedy** (Senator assassinated May 15, 1968; or June 5, 1968)  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirhan** (alleged assassin; convicted of murder and assault in 1969)  
- **Roy Murray** (pledged money for a "contract" to kill RFK if he received the Democratic nomination)  
- **Marvin Pappan** (described an individual with anti-RFK sentiments)  
- **Rhyne/Rhynes** (Oklahoma resident with firearms and alleged Minutemen ties)  
- **Donald Clark** (linked to Sirhan Bishara and RFK assassination rumors)  
- **Don Wise** (Oklahoma City; provided conflicting accounts about picking up an individual linked to RFK’s assassination)  
- **Patricia Wells** (Houston, Texas; 16-year-old student who wrote a letter to Ethel Kennedy alleging involvement in RFK’s murder)  
- **Mrs. A. Wantuck** (Los Angeles; claimed knowledge of Arens predicting RFK’s assassination)  
- **Ethel Arens** (Los Angeles; denied connection to assassination plot)  
- **Stus Pruszynski** (Montreal, Canada; recorded audio at the Ambassador Hotel during RFK’s assassination)  
- **Judge Herbert B. Walker** (presiding judge in Sirhan Bishara Sirhan’s trial)  
- **Grant B. Cooper, Emilie Zola Berman** (defense attorneys for Sirhan Bishara Sirhan)  
- **David Fitts** (deputy district attorney leading prosecution)  
- **Evelle J. Younger** (Los Angeles County District Attorney who received a letter from Senator Edward Kennedy regarding the case)  
- **George E. Shibley, Luke M. Kissack** (attorneys involved in Sirhan Bishara Sirhan’s appeals)  

Key Locations  
- **Prague, Czechoslovakia** (Embassy involved in radio broadcast investigations)  
- **Los Angeles, California** (Joe Pyne TV Show, Ambassador Hotel, trial location)  
- **Oklahoma City, Oklahoma** (Rhyne’s ranch, interviews with Pappan and others)  
- **Houston, Texas** (Patricia Wells’ residence)  
- **Montreal, Canada** (Stus Pruszynski’s residence)  
- **Pasadena City College** (where Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was associated with students like Lawrence D. Somerville and Mohan Goel)  

Key Events  
- **Radio broadcasts** in Prague allegedly discussing RFK’s assassination before May 15, 1968 (or June 5, 1968).  
- **Joe Pyne TV Show** (1967) with participants recalling discussions about potential threats against RFK.  
- **Pledge of money for a "contract"** to kill RFK by Roy Murray.  
- **Weapons collection** and alleged ties to radical groups by Rhyne in Oklahoma.  
- **Conflicting statements** from Don Wise regarding picking up an individual linked to RFK’s assassination.  
- **Patricia Wells’ letter** to Ethel Kennedy alleging a plot against Senator Kennedy, investigated by the FBI.  
- **Mrs. A. Wantuck’s claim** about Arens predicting RFK’s assassination, denied by Ethel Arens.  
- **Stus Pruszynski’s audio recording** of the Ambassador Hotel incident, analyzed by the FBI Laboratory.  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirhan’s trial**, conviction, and sentencing to San Quentin Prison for murder and assault in 1969.  
- **Trial proceedings** from February to May 1969, including jury selection, evidence admission, and motions for a new trial.  
- **Death sentence imposed** on April 23, 1969, following deliberations.  
- **Post-trial motions** for a new trial denied by Judge Walker; appeals initiated by attorneys Shibley and Kissack.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – conducted interviews, investigations into letters, witnesses, and physical evidence.  
- **United States Secret Service** – handled correspondence from Senator Edward Kennedy’s office.  
- **Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office** – prosecuted Sirhan Bishara Sirhan in the murder case.  
- **American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)** – represented in arguments regarding the constitutionality of the death penalty.  
- **Pasadena City College** – mentioned as a location where Sirhan Bishara Sirhan had associates.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_044_ser_1220_only-part_3_of_9.pdf

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