</s>CLASSIFICATION NO. 13862 Volume Number Serials 1/3/20/20 D.N.T. D.E.T ., D.T .. 3/1 R.E ., R.F.A.R.A ., K.R ., N.F ., 1/2/1 D. N.T -, D ., E.T ,, D, T ., T.A .. 4/1 BUREAU of Fbi - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER - L. - NY - NEW YORK CITY - NY - New York CITY Sub Vol. Vol. Serial # Class / Case # 1 1 OPEN INVESTIGATION Bureau File Number. 2/09/134558 Redawn #27 /3/21 /31 - RRP001 F4/7P RRP01 F4P7P RRP02F4/4P 2005 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176 See date No.

Summary  
The documents detail interactions between Sven Eric Doss and federal agencies regarding his threats against Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) in 1967. Doss, a Swedish-born U.S. citizen diagnosed with schizophrenia and deemed legally incompetent, had previously been institutionalized at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. In March 1967, he contacted the FBI and Veterans Administration (VA), claiming intent to kill RFK and others in Washington, including Kennedy. The VA and law enforcement agencies were notified of his threats. Doss was arrested on March 9, 1967, at a Greyhound Bus Terminal in Washington, D.C., for disorderly conduct after being observed pacing and talking to himself. He was committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital for mental evaluation. The VA in Florida and Washington, D.C., were informed of his status. Doss had communicated with his sister, Christine Kennitz, requesting financial assistance via postcards. His medical records indicate a history of tuberculosis, asthma, and physical injuries including a gunshot wound on his left leg.  

From June 5–13, 1967, Doss continued to communicate with the VA Regional Office in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, via postcard, telephone calls, and in-person visits. On June 6, 1967, he called the VA from Virginia and later from Savannah, Georgia, where he was staying at a Western Union location. He requested financial assistance, having previously received $150 from his sister in Detroit. The VA considered sending him $336 but hesitated due to concerns about his spending habits. Doss mentioned plans to travel to Key West, Florida, via boat and sought funds for a telephone call. On June 13, 1967, he stayed at the Sheraton Hotel in St. Petersburg, where VA arranged housing through the hotel manager. The VA noted Doss’s transient lifestyle, frequently moving between locations and spending money on items like baseball-related postage. The Secret Service Tampa Field Office was informed of Doss’s movements on June 7, 9, and 13, 1967. The document references a threat against RFK by Doss, though no direct connection to the assassination is detailed.  

Key People  
- **Sven Eric Doss**: Subject of the investigation, communicated with VA and Secret Service regarding his whereabouts and financial needs; diagnosed with schizophrenia, previously institutionalized at St. Elizabeths Hospital.  
- **Christine Kennitz**: Doss’s sister, received postcards from him requesting financial assistance; resided in Detroit, Michigan.  
- **Phil Wright**: Legal Officer at VA Regional Office in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, responsible for tracking Doss’s movements and coordinating assistance.  
- **Secret Service Tampa Field Office**: Notified of Doss’s activities and involved in monitoring his movements.  
- **David Freriks**: U.S. Secret Service Intelligence Division; referenced in initial threat notifications.  
- **Nathan Burstyn**: Court-appointed attorney for Doss; represented him during legal proceedings.  
- **Judge Edmund T. Daly**: Ordered Doss’s commitment to St. Elizabeths Hospital.  

Key Locations  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Arrest site of Doss; St. Elizabeths Hospital where he was committed for mental evaluation.  
- **St. Petersburg Beach, Florida**: VA Regional Office where Phil Wright worked; Sheraton Hotel where Doss stayed in June 1967.  
- **Savannah, Georgia**: Location where Doss called the VA during June 6, 1967.  
- **Ocala, Florida**: Postcard postmark location for VA correspondence with Doss.  
- **Key West, Florida**: Destination mentioned by Doss as part of his travel plans.  
- **Detroit, Michigan**: Residence of Christine Kennitz, Doss’s sister.  

Key Events  
- **March 7, 1967**: Doss contacted FBI and VA about intent to harm RFK.  
- **March 9, 1967**: Doss arrested at Greyhound Bus Terminal in Washington, D.C., for disorderly conduct; committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital.  
- **May–June 1967**: Doss communicated with Christine Kennitz via postcards requesting financial aid.  
- **June 5–13, 1967**: Doss interacted with VA regarding his movements, financial status, and travel plans; Secret Service Tampa Field Office notified of his activities.  
- **June 13, 1967**: Doss stayed at Sheraton Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida; VA arranged housing through hotel manager.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Document is part of an FBI file referencing a threat against RFK by Doss; the document notes it contains no recommendations or conclusions from the FBI.  
- **United States Secret Service**: Monitored Doss’s movements through Tampa Field Office notifications; David Freriks of Intelligence Division referenced in initial threat notifications.  
- **Veterans Administration (VA)**: Managed financial assistance for Doss and coordinated with Secret Service; VA Regional Office in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, tracked his activities.  
- **District of Columbia Court of General Sessions**: Ordered Doss’s commitment to St. Elizabeths Hospital.  
- **St. Elizabeths Hospital (Washington, D.C.)**: Institution where Doss was committed for mental evaluation.

RFK Declassified Files

62-ny-13862_sec_001_ser_1-.pdf

Document Summary

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