Los Angeles Police Department Records of the Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Investigation, ca. 1968-1978

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Summary

Creators:
Los Angeles (Calif.). Police Dept.
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Los Angeles Police Department Records of the Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Investigation, California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

When the California State Archives received the Kennedy assassination investigation records in August 1987, it was apparent that the records would require special treatment. In examining the material, one is immediately struck by both the magnitude of the investigation and the size and types of records generated by it. Among the 50,000 pages created by Special Unit Senator (SUS) may be found a card index of over 8,200 entries, over 4,800 interviews, nearly 2,900 photographs, 155 items of physical evidence, and a bewildering number and variety of audio and videotapes. In all, the investigation consumed over 6,400 personnel hours during a thirteen-month period and cost in excess of $289,000.

To a great extent, the records have been organized following the filing system and order established by SUS, as is customary in archival practice. Series titles have been retained except in a few cases when they seemed confusing or misleading. Significant duplication shows up throughout the records. That is, a particular report or interview may appear in several aspects of the investigation. In order to document this practice, such duplication has not been eliminated unless it occurred within the same file unit.

The records are divided into four distinct groups. The largest group by far consists of the records of Special Unit Senator, 1968-1969, which conducted the investigation. The bulk of the SUS records relate to the interview process -- Interviews (series #11), Transcripts (series #22), or Tape Recorded Interviews (series #30). Other large series exist on conspiracies -- Conspiracy Investigation Files (series #27), and on the Final Reports (series #12). The second group is relatively small in comparison, but significant. These are the Re-investigative Files, 1974-1978, which focus on many of the "second-gun" theories that surfaced after Sirhan's trial. The third body of materials comprise the exhibits found in Sirhan's trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court, The People of the State of California v. Sirhan Bishara Sirhan (A233421). The fourth group of records are the Wolfer Board records which constitute an internal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department into allegations against DeWayne Wolfer who conducted the ballistic studies in the case.

A researcher should be aware that, with few exceptions, access to the records will be provided through a user version of a 16mm microfilm copy. Microfilm roll numbers are printed next to each microfilmed series described in the guide. This has been done not only to preclude use of information excluded from public access by state law, but also to ensure preservation of the originals. A number of items have been copied to facilitate use of the records. All motion picture film and U-matic videotapes have been transferred to a cassette format with, in some cases, enhanced sound qualities. Copy negatives have been produced for all photographs where none existed previously. The entire collection has been microfilmed for security purposes.

From the beginning, every effort has been made to provide the fullest possible disclosure of the records. In many instances, though particular series contained sensitive information, a decision was made to open the records for examination. These decisions were made through a determination that the historical significance of the investigation and the "public's right to know" outweighed an "individual's right to privacy". As a result, in the few places where restrictions are noted, the justification is firmly rooted in California statutory law. This is true for the following categories: all records relating to arrests and convictions created by the State Department of Justice, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation; fingerprint records; records with any information about the arrest or conviction of juveniles; school records containing student names; autopsy photographs; and selected personnel documents from the aforementioned Wolfer Board records. In addition, two other types of records are restricted: FBI records; and police records from agencies other than the Los Angeles Police Department noted as "confidential". Researchers who desire access to these latter records should contact the FBI or appropriate originating jurisdiction directly.

A body of related information may be found elsewhere. The Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Archives at Southeastern Massachusetts University (North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747) contains a large collection of materials on the case. Included among these records are files donated by several writers and researchers and materials purchased from the National Archives and Records Administration-Pacific Southwest Region, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, and the FBI. Another source of information is the Assassination Archives and Research Center (918 "F" Street, N.W., Suite 510, Washington, D.C. 20004). The Center maintains an extensive collection of government documents, interviews, unpublished manuscripts, photographs, audio tapes, and secondary works. These materials may be regarded as supplementing the records described in this guide, although doubtless some minor duplication exists. The California State Archives also maintains other records of interest, including Sirhan's appeal to the State Supreme Court (Case No. 14026).

Most researchers and, in particular, those unfamiliar with the investigation, will find a review of the ten-volume, uncensored version of the final report to be a useful starting point. The report summarizes in much detail the work of the investigation and draws heavily from records to be found in almost every other series. A table of contents for this report may be found in Appendix B of the guide. In addition, a number of indices are interspersed throughout the collection which, in some cases, provide detailed information concerning the contents of the series in question. Whenever present, these indices will be located at the beginning of the microfilmed series.

Questions about restricted materials, use and availability of materials, and other matters related to the records, should be addressed in writing to Nancy Zimmelman at the California State Archives.

Physical description:
ca. 50,000 pages

Indexed terms

Indexes:

Name Index to Audio Tapes

Abo, Dr. Stanley CSA-K114
Almond, Charles CSA-K181
Altenbaugh, Charlie CSA-K42
Altfillisch, Bert CSA-K34
Arnot, Larry CSA-K67, CSA-K68
Aubry, Richard CSA-K86
Azirian, Stepan CSA-K115
Ballantyne, Nina CSA-K54
Barry, William CSA-K6 (Part 2)
Behunin, Ruth CSA-K81 (A)
Bobbitt, Danny G. CSA-K19
Booth, Lucy CSA-K81 (A)
Braden, Jim CSA-K14
Breslin, James CSA-K140
Buck, David CSA-K43
Buck, Dorothy CSA-K43
Buckner, Everett, Sr. CSA-K40 (A), CSA-K51, CSA-K126, CSA-K127
Burba, Harold L. CSA-K24 (A)
Burns, Frank, Jr. CSA-K10
Carreon, Henry CSA-K100 (A) & (B)
Casden, Robin CSA-K76, CSA-K80
Cesar, Thane CSA-K7, CSA-K8, CSA-K24 (A) & (B)
Charach, Theodore CSA-K29 (B), CSA-K97 (A) & (B), CSA-K146 (A) & (B)
Christian, Jonn CSA-K145, CSA-K174
Clark, Alvin CSA-K98
Cordero, Humphrey CSA-K141 (A)
Corey, Beverly CSA-K89, CSA-K90
Crabbendam, J.G. CSA-K168 (A) & (B), CSA-K169
Crowe, Margaret CSA-K45 (A)
Crowe, Walter, Jr. CSA-K59 (A) & (B), CSA-K60 (A) & (B), CSA-K61
Crowe, Walter, Sr. CSA-K45 (A)
Cuccia, Vicki CSA-K111 (A)
Curtis, Lloyd W. CSA-K24 (A)
Davis, George CSA-K130, CSA-K131, CSA-K175
Deeb, Dr. Paul CSA-K34, CSA-K103 (B)
DeNier, Veronica CSA-K81 (A)
DiPierro, Vincent CSA-K4, CSA-K5, CSA-K12, CSA-K122, CSA-K125
Dirks, Charles CSA-K133
Droz, Fred CSA-K29 (A)
Duarte, Jose CSA-K53, CSA-K69, CSA-K70 (A) & (B), CSA-K71 (A) & (B), CSA-K116
Duffey, Estelyn CSA-K19
Dunsay, M. Denise CSA-K111 (B)
Dutton, Frederick CSA-K6 (Part 2), CSA-K167
Endersby, Victor CSA-K186 (A) & (B)
Enyart, Scott CSA-K19
Erhard, George CSA-K22, CSA-K52, CSA-K94, CSA-K120
Evans, Elizabeth CSA-K128
Fahey, John CSA-K32 (A) & (B), CSA-K50, CSA-K56 (A) & (B), CSA-K162, CSA-K164 (A) & (B), CSA-K165 (A), (B), & (C)
Farr, Gloria CSA-K82
Farrell, Thomas CSA-K109 (B)
Fisher, Alfred CSA-K47 (B)
Fisher, Joel CSA-K29 (A)
Fontanini, Steve CSA-K84
Frankenheimer, John CSA-K163
Fraser, Terry CSA-K109 (B)
Freed, Evan CSA-K16
Fulmer, Cathy Sue CSA-K91
Gallivan, J.W. CSA-K6 (Part 1)
Gearhart, John CSA-K57, CSA-K58
Gilbert, Keith CSA-K187 (A) & (B)
Goldstein, Ira CSA-K75, CSA-K134
Grant, Maurice CSA-K9
Grecco, Eva CSA-K81 (A)
Grier, Roosevelt CSA-K6 (Part 1)
Griffin, Booker CSA-K11
Grijalva, Richard CSA-K42, CSA-K72
Grijalva, Roberta CSA-K42, CSA-K72
Groves, Judy CSA-K29 (A), CSA-K84
Groves, Sanford CSA-K29 (B)
Grugan, Clarence CSA-K24 (A)
Gugas, Chris CSA-K37
Gutierrez, Frank CSA-K152
Guy, Virginia CSA-K92
Hager, Lloyd CSA-K40 (A)
Haggerty, Michael CSA-K83
Hall, Melvin S. CSA-K6 (Part 1) & (Part 2)
Hansen, Eve CSA-K54
Hanson, Leland CSA-K109 (A)
Haraden, Parker CSA-K42
Harrington, Wesley CSA-K188
Havalla, Bassam CSA-K99
Heacock, Margaret CSA-K101
Heinemann, Larry CSA-K103 (A)
Herrick, Donna CSA-K149, CSA-K150
Herrick, Jeanne CSA-K78
Hogue, Lt. CSA-K176
Holgate, Michael CSA-K109 (A)
Holmes, Milton CSA-K148
Howard, John CSA-K73
Hubbard, Cora CSA-K79
Iqbal, Khalid CSA-K111 (B)
Jacobs, Mabel CSA-K109 (B) & (C)
Jalalipour, Reza CSA-K71 (A) & (B)
Jennings, Trudi CSA-K77
Jensen, Officer D. CSA-K110
Johnson, Rafer CSA-K85
Jones, James CSA-K108
Keenan, James CSA-K130
Kendall, Charles CSA-K40 (B), CSA-K109 (A)
Khan, Khaibar CSA-28 (A)
Khoury, Barbara CSA-K89, CSA-K90
Khoury, John CSA-K142
Khoury, Nabil CSA-K90
Kouchan, Maryam CSA-K28 (A) & (B)
Kovack, Michael CSA-K111 (A)
Kovack, Rosemary CSA-K111 (A)
Kowalec, Stanley CSA-K24 (A)
Kramer, Patricia CSA-K103 (A)
Kristastamo, Mrs. CSA-K174
Laemmle, Raquel CSA-K53
Laemmle, Robert CSA-K114
LaHive, Joseph A. CSA-K19, CSA-K82
Lahmer, Virginia CSA-K113
Lane, Mark CSA-K147
LaScola, Dr. Ray CSA-K37
Lee, Harry CSA-K42
Licher, Robert CSA-K180
Long, James CSA-K168 (A) & (B), CSA-K169
Lowe, Lois CSA-K113
Lubic, Richard CSA-K118 (A) & (B), CSA-K119
Ludlow, John CSA-K46 (A) & (B)
Lynch, Cecil CSA-K48, CSA-K108
Mankiewicz, Frank CSA-K6 (Part 2), CSA-73
Marcus, Michael D. CSA-K6 (Part 1)
Mardigani, Carl CSA-K20 (A) & (B)
Martin, Raymond CSA-K108
Martin, Rhoda CSA-K186 (B)
Martinez, Frank CSA-K152
McChesney, Grove CSA-K42
McKay, Roderick CSA-K182
Midby, Glen H. CSA-K19
Miller, Dr. Milton CSA-K103 (B)
Minasian, Edward CSA-K9, CSA-K87
Mitchell, Charles CSA-K101
Montellano, David CSA-K100 (A)
Morse, Bert CSA-K109 (B)
Mundell, Rev. James CSA-K106
Murphy, Fred A. CSA-K24 (A)
Murray, Barbara CSA-K132
Nagin, Larry CSA-K179 (A) & (B)
Nilsson, Dr. Paul CSA-K103 (A) & (B)
Noyes, Peter CSA-K170, CSA-K171 (A), (B), & (C), CSA-K172
Osterkamp, Peggy CSA-K34
Owen, Jerry CSA-K23, CSA-K55 (A) & (B), CSA-K130, CSA-K153
Parsons, Russell CSA-K17, CSA-K33
Patrusky, Martin CSA-K9
Perez, Jesus CSA-K8
Perez, Thomas CSA-K24 (A)
Perkins, Rev. Jonathan CSA-K173
Peters, Henry CSA-K160 (A) & (B)
Peters, Lawrence CSA-K159
Pilger, John CSA-K124
Plimpton, Freddy CSA-K6 (Part 1)
Plimpton, George CSA-K19
Powers, William CSA-K185
Price, William CSA-K52
Pruszynski, Stus CSA-K123
Rabago, Enrique CSA-K141 (A)
Radabaugh, Jack CSA-K95
Rathke, Walter Thomas CSA-K35
Reddin, Chief Thomas CSA-K15
Reinke, Donald CSA-K19
Richtel, Murray CSA-K179 (A) & (B)
Ripp, James CSA-K42
Rivercomb, George CSA-K172
Rogers, Warren CSA-K151
Romero, Juan CSA-K9
Rothberg, James CSA-K24 (A)
Royer, Judy CSA-K117
Rutledge, Queen E. CSA-K9
Saccoman, Michael CSA-K109 (A) & (B)
Schnepper, Dr. John CSA-K34
Schulman, Donald CSA-K13
Scott, Diane CSA-K109 (B)
Sem, Kenny CSA-K42
Serrano, Sandra CSA-K1, CSA-K2, CSA-K3, CSA-K4, CSA-K5, CSA-K6 (Part 1)
Sheets, Millard CSA-K144
Sher, Paul CSA-K34
Shields, Lester CSA-K109 (B)
Sirhan, Adel CSA-K25 (A) & (B), CSA-K41, CSA-K88, CSA-K102, CSA-K154 (A) & (B), CSA-K155, CSA-K157
Sirhan, Mary CSA-K25 (A), CSA-K41, CSA-K107, CSA-K154 (A) & (B), CSA-K155, CSA-K157
Sirhan, Munir CSA-K22, CSA-K25 (A), CSA-K26 (A) & (B), CSA-K27, CSA-K49, CSA-K52, CSA-K154 (A) & (B)
Sirhan, Saidallah CSA-K25 (A), CSA-K44, CSA-K45 (A) & (B), CSA-K47 (A), CSA-K136 (A) & (B), CSA-K137
Sirhan, Sharif CSA-K25 (A), CSA-K41, CSA-K104
Sirhan, Sirhan CSA-K21
Sirhan, Sirhan (as John Doe) CSA-K62, CSA-K63, CSA-K64, CSA-K65 (A) & (B), CSA-K66 (A), (B), & (C)
Sirhan, Sirhan (psychiatric interview): F3906:89 (A), (B) & (C), F3906:91, F3906:93 (A) & (B), F3906:94 (A) & (B), F3906:95 (A) & (B)
Smith, Ron CSA-K135
Smith, Stephen CSA-K92
Stephens, Merla CSA-K183
Steward, Richard CSA-K42
Strathmann, John Henry CSA-K38
Strathmann, Patricia CSA-K113
Stroll, Irwin CSA-K129
Swanson, Ellis CSA-K74
Taylor, Genevieve CSA-K30 (A) & (B)
Teresa, Virginia CSA-K105 (A) & (B)
Thornbrugh, James CSA-K100 (B), CSA-K109 (A), CSA-K143
Tingley, Jake CSA-K43
Trout, Orie CSA-K42
Trower, Ben CSA-K42
Tuck, Richard CSA-K92, CSA-K138
Turner, William CSA-K147
Uecker, Karl CSA-K8
Unruh, Jesse CSA-K79
Van Antwerp, Edward CSA-K186 (A)
Velazco, Alberto CSA-K152
Wall, Mary CSA-K74
Warshaw, Carmen CSA-K139
Wayne, Michael L. CSA-K9, CSA-K18, CSA-K29 (B)
Weaver, Dennis CSA-K84
Weaver, Russell CSA-K109 (A)
Weatherly, John CSA-K184
Weidner, John CSA-K112, CSA-K177
Welch, Terry CSA-K161
Westerfield, Rex CSA-K156
Weston, Don CSA-K178, CSA-K179 (A)
Wheeler, Robert L. CSA-K159
Wheeler, ? CSA-K159
White, William Walker, Jr. CSA-K103 (B)
Williams, Claudia CSA-K36
Williams, Ralph CSA-K84
Williams, Ron CSA-K36
Williman, L.C. CSA-K6 (Part 1)
Wolf, Dr. Jerome CSA-K121
X-Ray Technician CSA-K159
Yaroslavski, Boris CSA-K20 (A)
Yorty, Mayor Samuel CSA-K93
Yoshio, Niwa CSA-K9
KABC-TV News Broadcast CSA-K39 (A), (B), & (C)
KLA-Radio Broadcast CSA-K31
Tempo II, Channel 9 CSA-K116

Access and use

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Los Angeles Police Department Records of the Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Investigation, California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website