</s>1 11 03 AM '7'United States Senate F JUSTIC UNIT. JAN 2 0 1976 .1:2.8. Respectfully referred to CONGRESSIONAL LIAISON OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTONSTO:C-205030 Robert Kennedy for such consideration as the communication herewith submitted may warrant, and for a report thereon, in duplicate to accompany return of inclosure. OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS FED. BU. OF INV. By dired DEPARTMENT of JUSTICE 8 JAN 28 1976 GPO 16-7889-2 OFFICE of LEGISLAITIVE SFFAIRIS Jacob K. Javits FED, BU. OFF INY! ATTI. SCOTT SKLAR 202-224-6542 LET TO JEN. JAUITS 3/12/2016 RELEASE RELEASERGLAENC. WEN/PAK ORIG-ENC. RETURNED TO JANTS

The document contains multiple entries related to the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) and subsequent FBI investigations. A seven-member firearms expert panel, including an FBI Laboratory representative, was convened by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert A. Wenke in September 1975 to review firearms evidence. The panel concluded there was no substantive support for the "second gun" theory. Clarence M. Kelley, Director of the FBI’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) section, responded to journalist John Cooke’s questions about the investigation, noting the FBI does not sponsor youth organizations like the "Junior Detectives Group."  

A memorandum dated May 14, 1977, references Thomas F. Kranz, a Special Counsel appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in August 1975 to investigate RFK’s assassination. Kranz concluded that Sirhan B. Sirhan acted alone and found no evidence of a cover-up by law enforcement. The document includes an affidavit from William Bailey, a former FBI agent who participated in the investigation, stating he was present at the Ambassador Hotel during the shooting and provided testimony about the events.  

The text also mentions Vincent Bugliesi, a former Los Angeles County attorney who sought information from the FBI regarding the case. Additional entries reference FOIA requests by District Attorney John K. Van de Kamp for released documents, including reports and affidavits related to the investigation. Some sections contain garbled or unclear text, possibly due to redaction or formatting errors, and include references to unrelated administrative records or other cases.  

Key People  
- **Robert Allen Couch**: Claims he was approached in 1967 to assassinate RFK, referenced hospitalizations in New Orleans and Nassau County, and interactions with Dr. Michael Krassner.  
- **Sirhan Sirhan**: Alleged assassin of RFK; mentioned in context of Ronald Wood’s murder and FBI investigations.  
- **Ronald Wood**: Murdered in Nevada State Penitentiary; linked to Sirhan Sirhan and drug-related allegations.  
- **Daniel T. Estrada**: Provided information about RFK’s assassination to the FBI, referencing Sirhan Sirhan and Wood’s death.  
- **Dr. Michael Krassner**: Psychiatric hospital staff member who interacted with Couch.  
- **Clarence M. Kelley**: FBI Director of FOIA section, responded to journalist John Cooke’s questions about the RFK investigation.  
- **Thomas F. Kranz**: Special Counsel appointed by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to investigate RFK’s assassination; concluded Sirhan B. Sirhan acted alone.  
- **William Bailey**: Former FBI agent who participated in the RFK investigation and provided testimony about the shooting.  
- **Vincent Bugliesi**: Former Los Angeles County attorney who sought information from the FBI regarding the case.  
- **John K. Van de Kamp**: Los Angeles District Attorney who requested access to FOIA-released documents related to the RFK assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **Nassau County Psychiatric Hospital (Kings Park, New York)**: Where Couch was a patient and referenced in FBI records.  
- **San Quentin Penitentiary (California)**: Site of Sirhan Sirhan’s incarceration and Wood’s murder.  
- **Nevada State Penitentiary**: Location of Ronald Wood’s death.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Conducted ballistic examinations and provided findings on RFK’s assassination.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offices in New York and Los Angeles**: Central to the investigation and record-keeping.  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Where the shooting occurred.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Headquarters of the FBI; referenced in correspondence regarding FOIA requests.  

Key Events  
- **1967**: Robert Allen Couch claims he was approached by Tom Omarley to assassinate RFK, referencing hospitalizations in New Orleans and Nassau County, interactions with Dr. Michael Krassner, and referrals to social services for temporary housing.  
- **September 1975**: FBI firearms expert panel convened by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert A. Wenke concluded no evidence supported the "second gun" theory.  
- **August 1975**: Thomas F. Kranz appointed as Special Counsel to investigate RFK’s assassination.  
- **April–May 1977**: Kranz’s findings released, stating Sirhan B. Sirhan acted alone and no cover-up existed.  
- **FBI memos**: Clarified they did not conduct independent ballistic examinations but relied on LAPD findings, which accounted for all bullets fired.  
- **John Cooke’s inquiry**: Requested clarification on FBI reports regarding bullet hole photographs and the agency’s conclusions; FBI responded photographic records were not ballistic evidence.  
- **FOIA requests**: Multiple entries reference release of documents under the Freedom of Information Act, including affidavits and investigative reports.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted forensic analysis, maintained correspondence, provided testimony regarding firearms evidence, and responded to FOIA requests.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Conducted ballistic examinations and provided findings on RFK’s assassination.  
- **Nassau County Social Services**: Involved in Couch’s housing referral and record-keeping.  
- **Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors**: Appointed Thomas F. Kranz as Special Counsel for the RFK investigation.  
- **National Enquirer**: Mentioned as a sensationalist newspaper that requested information about the case.  
- **Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office**: Requested access to FOIA-released documents related to the RFK assassination.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_048_ser_1280-1340-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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