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{{Short description|1968 |
{{Short description|1968 murder in Los Angeles, California}} | ||
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} | |||
{{For|the assassination of Robert's brother John|Assassination of John F. Kennedy}} | |||
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} | |||
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} | |||
{{Infobox civilian attack | {{Infobox civilian attack | ||
| title |
| title = Assassination of {{nowrap|Robert F. Kennedy}} | ||
| image |
| image = Rfk assassination.jpg | ||
| alt = Refer to the caption | |||
| image_upright = 1.2 | |||
| caption |
| caption = ] lies mortally wounded on the floor immediately after the shooting. Kneeling beside him is 17-year-old busboy Juan Romero, who was shaking Kennedy's hand when ] fired the shots.{{Sfn|Esty-Kendall|2018}} | ||
| location |
| location = ], Los Angeles, California, U.S. | ||
| coordinates |
| coordinates = {{Coord|34.0597|N|118.2971|W|region:US-CA_type:event_scale:50000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | ||
| date |
| date = {{start date and age|1968|06|05}} | ||
| time |
| time = 12:15 a.m. | ||
| timezone |
| timezone = ] | ||
| target |
| target = ] | ||
| fatalities = 1 (Kennedy died on June 6, 1968, from his injuries) | |||
| type = Political assassination | |||
| type = Political assassination, ] | |||
| fatalities = Robert F. Kennedy (died on June 6, 1968, from injuries) | |||
| injuries |
| injuries = 5{{efn|Paul Schrade, William Weisel, Elizabeth Evans, Ira Goldstein, Irwin Stroll}} | ||
| perp |
| perp = ] | ||
| weapons |
| weapons = ] ] revolver | ||
| verdict = ] | |||
| convictions = ], ] (5 counts){{Sfn|State of California|2022}}{{Infobox event | |||
| title = | |||
| child = yes | |||
| sentence = ] in 1969; commuted ] to ] with the possibility of parole | |||
}} | }} | ||
}} | |||
{{Robert F. Kennedy series}} | |||
On June 5, 1968, ] was shot by ] at the ] in Los Angeles, California, and pronounced dead the following day. | |||
Kennedy, a ] and candidate in the ], won the California and South Dakota primaries on June 4. He addressed his campaign supporters in the Ambassador Hotel's Embassy Ballroom. After leaving the podium, and exiting through a kitchen hallway, he was mortally wounded by multiple shots fired by Sirhan. Kennedy died at ] nearly 25 hours later. His body was buried at ]. | |||
On June 5, 1968, presidential candidate ] was mortally wounded shortly after midnight at the ] in ]. Earlier that evening, the 42-year-old junior senator from ] was declared the winner in the South Dakota and California ] during the ]. He was pronounced dead at 1:44 a.m. ] on June 6, about 26 hours after he had been shot.{{Sfn|Thomas|2002|p=392}} | |||
Following dual victories in the California and South Dakota primary elections for the ] nomination for the ], Kennedy spoke to journalists and campaign workers at a live televised celebration from the stage of his headquarters at the Ambassador Hotel. Shortly after leaving the podium and exiting through a kitchen hallway, he was mortally wounded by multiple shots fired from a handgun. Kennedy died in the ] 26 hours later. The shooter was 24-year-old ]. In 1969, Sirhan was convicted of murdering Kennedy and was ]. His sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972 due to the court case '']''. A freelance newspaper reporter recorded the shooting on audio tape, and the aftermath was captured on film.<ref name=cnnMartinez>{{cite news|last=Martinez|first=Michael|title=RFK assassination witness tells CNN: There was a second shooter|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/28/justice/california-rfk-second-gun|publisher=CNN|date=April 30, 2012|access-date=May 10, 2012|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824121307/http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/28/justice/california-rfk-second-gun|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Sirhan, a Palestinian who held strong ] and ] beliefs, testified in 1969 that he killed Kennedy "with 20 years of malice aforethought"; he was convicted and sentenced to death. Due to '']'', his sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972 with a possibility of parole. His parole request has been denied numerous times. Kennedy's assassination prompted ] to protect presidential candidates. Additionally, it led to ]. | |||
Kennedy's remains were taken to ], for two days of public viewing before a ] was held on June 8. His funeral train traveled from New York to Washington, D.C.; many spectators lined the route to view the journey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxpob_Jwauk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/Kxpob_Jwauk| archive-date=November 7, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Robert Kennedy Funeral (1969)|last=British Pathé|access-date=December 16, 2018|publisher=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His body was interred at night in ] near his brother ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggHkAN3y72A&t=71s| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/ggHkAN3y72A| archive-date=November 7, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Funeral Of Robert Kennedy (1969)|last=British Pathé|publisher=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His death prompted the ] to protect presidential candidates. Vice President ] was also a presidential candidate; he went on to win the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost the election to ] candidate ]. | |||
The assassination was one of four major assassinations of the ], coming several years after the ] in 1963 and the ] in 1965, and two months after the ] in 1968. | |||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
] was born in ], in 1925.{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} In 1948, ] and wrote six dispatches for '']''.{{Sfn|Bass|2003|p=50}}{{Sfn|Heymann|1998|p=45}} He dismissed the possibility of the Jewish state becoming ] as "fantastically absurd",{{Sfn|Bass|2003|p=51}} and called it the "only stabilizing factor remaining in the near and middle East".{{Sfn|Davis|1992|p=650}} In 1960, ], Robert's elder brother, was elected the president of the United States{{Sfn|Heymann|1998|pp=182–183}} and appointed Robert as ]. During his tenure, Robert served as John's close advisor{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=4}} and was associated with various decisions during the ].{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} According to author Matthew A. Hayes, during the ], Robert acted as a "de-facto Chief of Staff, Presidential Agent and Intermediary for his brother" and was an "indispensable partner" in its successful resolution.{{Sfn|Hayes|2019|pp=1–3}} In November 1963, ],{{Sfn|Kurtz|1982|p=1}} and Robert was deeply affected by it.{{Sfn|Thomas|2002|p=21}}{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=19}} Vice President ] assumed the presidency{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=5}} and retained almost all prominent Kennedy advisors, including Robert as attorney general.{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}}{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=5}} | |||
=== Robert F. Kennedy === | |||
] in September 1963]] | |||
] was born in ], in 1925, as the seventh of nine children of ]. After graduating from the ] in 1943, he enrolled in the ], and later served on board {{Ship|USS|Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.}}{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} In 1948, ], and wrote around six dispatches for '']''.{{Sfn|Bass|2003|p=50}}{{Sfn|Heymann|1998|p=45}} He dismissed the possibility of the Jewish state becoming communist as "fantastically absurd",{{Sfn|Bass|2003|p=51}} and called it the "only remaining stabilizing factor in the near and far".{{Sfn|Davis|1992|p=650}} | |||
] | |||
In 1960, Robert's elder brother, ], was elected the ].{{Sfn|Heymann|1998|pp=182–183}} He appointed Robert as the ]. During his tenure, Robert served as his brother's close advisor,{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=4}} and was associated with various significant decisions made by the ].{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} According to author ], during the ], Robert acted as a "] Chief of Staff, Presidential Agent and Intermediary for his brother", and was an "indispensable partner" in its successful resolution.{{Sfn|Hayes|2019|pp=1–3}} On November 22, 1963, ] in ], while riding in his ].{{Sfn|Kurtz|1982|pp=1, 9}} Subsequently, Vice President ] assumed the presidency.{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=5}} Johnson mostly retained all prominent Kennedy advisors, including Robert as attorney general.{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}}{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=5}} Robert was deeply affected by his brother's assassination,{{Sfn|Thomas|2002|p=21}}{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=19}} yet, despite his political differences with Johnson, he remained in the attorney general post.{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} | |||
In 1964, polls showed that various Democrats wanted Kennedy to be Johnson's running mate in ].{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|pp=5–6}} |
In 1964, polls showed that various Democrats wanted Kennedy to be Johnson's running mate in ].{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|pp=5–6}} Kennedy instead organized his ],{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=6}} challenging ], an incumbent Republican senator.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=43}} During a campaign speech, Kennedy declared his support for Israel, stating that in the event of an attack, "we will stand by Israel and come to her assistance".{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=x}} He won the election; during his congressional career, he supported ] and opposed Johnson's policies regarding the ].{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} | ||
The ] has been referred to as one of the most volatile campaigns in American history.{{Sfn|Sieg|1996|p=1062}} There was strong opposition to the ongoing Vietnam War; and it was a period of social unrest, with riots in major cities.{{Sfn|Thomas|2002|p=22}} ], a Democratic politician, organized a "]" movement to prevent Johnson's nomination as the presidential candidate,{{Sfn|Hoogenboom|2000}} and asked Kennedy to run instead. Kennedy refused, asserting that he did not want to split the Democratic Party.{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} ], a U.S. senator from Minnesota, then emerged as the leader of the "Dump Johnson" movement and entered several state presidential primaries.{{Sfn|Keene|2013}} In late January 1968, the ], in the view of historian ], "shattered hopes that the war could be won within a reasonable period of time—if ever—and broke open the cracks in the Democratic coalition".{{Sfn|Gardner|2000}} | |||
=== 1968 presidential campaign === | |||
] | |||
The 1968 presidential campaign has been referred to as one of the most volatile campaigns in United States history.{{Sfn|Sieg|1996|p=1062}} In the run-up to the ], there was significant opposition to the ongoing Vietnam War. It was also a period of social unrest; there were riots in major cities.{{Sfn|Thomas|2002|p=22}} ], a Democratic politician, organized a ] to prevent Johnson from becoming the Democratic presidential nominee,{{Sfn|Hoogenboom|2000}} and asked Kennedy to run instead. Kennedy refused, asserting that he did not want to split the Democratic Party for his personal benefit.{{Sfn|O'Neill|2000}} ], a senator from Minnesota, emerged as the leader of "Dump Johnson" movement, and entered in several ].{{Sfn|Keene|2013}} In late January 1968, Johnson ordered the ], which, in the view of historian ], "shattered hopes that the war could be won within a reasonable period of time—if ever—and broke open the cracks in the Democratic coalition".{{Sfn|Gardner|2000}} | |||
On March 12, 1968, in the |
On March 12, 1968, in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, McCarthy nearly defeated Johnson{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=19}} with 42 percent to Johnson's 49 percent of the votes.{{Sfn|Keene|2013}} Four days later, Kennedy announced his presidential campaign.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=1}} On March 31, Johnson announced that he would not seek the presidency.{{Sfn|Goldzwig|2003|p=51}} Four days later, civil rights activist ], leading to ] in several cities.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|pp=ix, 1, 92}} The same day, Kennedy gave a ] in Indianapolis,{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|pp=ix, 94}} saying: | ||
<blockquote>What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black. ... let's dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=96}}</blockquote> | |||
<blockquote>What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black. ... let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=96}}</blockquote> | |||
In April, Vice President ] announced ]. He mostly avoided primaries and focused on states which held ]. Contrary to Kennedy, Humphrey supported the Vietnam War.{{Sfn|Curtin|2000}} | |||
In April, Vice President ] announced ]. He mostly avoided primaries and focused on states which held caucuses. Contrary to Kennedy, Humphrey did not publicly oppose the Vietnam War.{{Sfn|Curtin|2000}} | |||
== Assassination == | == Assassination == | ||
=== California primary and shooting === | |||
] | |||
The California presidential primary elections were held on June 4, 1968. Polls by ] showed Kennedy leading by 7 percent.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=265}} The statewide results gave Kennedy 46 percent to McCarthy's 42 percent.{{Sfn|''Guide to U.S. Elections''|2010|p=410}} Kennedy also won the South Dakota primary, winning approximately 50 percent of the vote.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=266}} Author ] referred to the victory as Kennedy's "greatest". He was now in second place with {{Fraction|393|1|2}} total delegates, against Humphrey's {{Fraction|561|1|2}} delegates.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=26n}}{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=245}} | |||
=== California primary and the victory speech === | |||
The California presidential primary elections were held on June 4, 1968. Polls by ] showed Kennedy leading by 7%.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=265}} The statewide results gave Kennedy 46% to McCarthy's 42%. Around four hours after the polls closed in California, Kennedy claimed victory in the state's Democratic presidential primary. Following the California primary, Kennedy was in second place with 393 delegates, against Humphrey's 561 and McCarthy's 258.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=26n}} Kennedy also won the South Dakota primary same night, winning around 50% of the vote.{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=266}} He spoke by phone with South Dakota Senator ], who congratulated and apologized to Kennedy for considering his candidacy as "an impossible dream".{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=267}} Author ] referred to Kennedy's victory as his "greatest".{{Sfn|Palermo|2001|p=245}} | |||
At approximately 12:02 a.m. ]{{Sfn|O'Sullivan|2008|p=495}} |
At approximately 12:02 a.m. ]{{Sfn|O'Sullivan|2008|p=495}} the next day, Kennedy addressed his campaign supporters in the Embassy Ballroom of the ], in the ].{{Sfn|Thomas|2002|p=387}} At the time, the government did not provide ] protection for presidential candidates.{{Sfn|O'Sullivan|2008|p=159}} Kennedy's only security personnel were former ] agent William Barry and two unofficial bodyguards: Olympic decathlon gold medalist ]{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|pp=8, 119}} and former football player ].{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=46}} At approximately 12:10 am, concluding his victory speech, Kennedy said: "So my thanks to all of you and on to Chicago and let's win there."{{Sfn|''The New York Times''|1968}}{{Sfn|''Los Angeles Times''|1986}} Kennedy planned to walk through the ballroom after speaking on his way to another gathering of supporters, but reporters wanted a press conference. Campaign aide ] decided that Kennedy would forgo the second gathering and instead go through the hotel's kitchen and pantry area behind the ballroom to the press area.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=264–265}} Kennedy had welcomed contact with the public during the campaign, and people had often tried to touch him in excitement.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=113–114}} Soon after Kennedy concluded the speech, he started to exit through the ballroom when Barry stopped him and said, "No, it's been changed. We're going this way."{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=264–265}} Barry and Dutton began clearing a way for Kennedy to go left, through swinging doors, to the kitchen corridor, but he was hemmed in by the crowd and followed '']'' Karl Uecker through a back exit.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=264–265}} Uecker led Kennedy through the kitchen area, holding his right wrist, but frequently releasing it as Kennedy shook hands with people whom he encountered.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=33}} Uecker and Kennedy started down a passageway narrowed by an ice machine and a steam table to the north.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=33}} | ||
Kennedy turned to his left and shook hands with Juan Romero,{{Sfn|Melanson|1994|p=18}}{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=96}} just as ] stepped down from a low tray-stacker beside the ice machine, rushed past Uecker, and repeatedly fired an eight-shot ] caliber ]{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=266, 269}} at point-blank range.{{Sfn|Hodak|2012|p=72}} Kennedy fell to the floor; others, including writer ] and Grier, tried to disarm Sirhan, as he continued firing his gun in random directions. Five other people were wounded: William Weisel of ], ] of the ] union, Democratic Party activist Elizabeth Evans, Ira Goldstein of the Continental News Service, and Kennedy campaign volunteer Irwin Stroll.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=85}}{{Sfn|''Time'' (a)|1968}}{{Sfn|''Los Angeles Times''|1995}} A minute later, Sirhan wrestled free and grabbed the revolver again, but others grabbed him.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=269}} Barry went to Kennedy and placed his jacket under Kennedy's head.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=269}} As Kennedy lay wounded, Romero cradled his head and placed a rosary in his hand.{{Sfn|''Time''|1998}} Kennedy asked Romero, "Is everybody OK?"; Romero responded, "Yes, everybody's OK." Kennedy then turned away and said, "Everything's going to be OK."{{Sfn|Allen|2015}} The moment was captured by Boris Yaro of the '']'' and became the iconic image of the assassination.{{Sfn|Reynolds|2007}} | |||
At approximately 00:15 a.m., concluding his victory speech, Kennedy said: | |||
=== Immediate aftermath and death === | |||
<blockquote>So I thank all of you who made all this possible. All of the effort the you made and all of the people who's names I haven't mentioned but who made all the work at the precinct level, who got out to vote, who did all of the efforts that's required. I was a campaign manager eight years ago, I know what a difference that kind of effort and that kind of commitment made. I thank all of you. Mayor Yorty has just sent me a message that we've been here too long already. So my thanks to all of you and on to Chicago and let's win there.{{Sfn|''The New York Times''|1968}}</blockquote> | |||
As the shooting took place, ABC News was signing off from its election-night broadcast, while the CBS coverage had been concluded. CBS went back on the air with coverage of the shooting 21 minutes after it had taken place. ABC's associate news director Weisel, who had been wounded during the shooting, reported from his stretcher.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1968}} ABC was able to show scant live footage from the kitchen after Kennedy had been transported, but all of ABC's coverage from the hotel was in black-and-white.{{Sfn|ABC}} Approximately three hours after the incident, television networks began their morning broadcast schedule. About six million Western American households viewed the live reporting.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1968}} | |||
Kennedy's wife, ], who was three months pregnant,{{Sfn|Segalov|2018}} had been away from the shooting scene.{{Sfn|''Newsweek''|1968|p=29}} She was soon led to Kennedy and knelt beside him. Kennedy turned his head seeming to recognize her.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=272}} Kennedy's campaign manager, his brother-in-law ], promptly appeared on television and asked for a doctor.{{Sfn|Newfield|1988|pp=299–300}} After several minutes, medical attendants arrived and lifted Kennedy onto a stretcher, prompting him to whisper, "Don't lift me", which were his last words;{{Sfn|Heymann|1998|p=500}}{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=275}} he lost consciousness shortly after.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=273}} He was taken to Central Receiving Hospital. A doctor slapped his face, calling, "Bob! Bob! Bob!" while another doctor massaged his heart.{{Sfn|''Time'' (b)|1968}} After obtaining a good heartbeat, doctors handed a stethoscope to Ethel so that she could hear Kennedy's heart beating.{{Sfn|''Newsweek''|1968|p=30}} After about 30 minutes, Kennedy was transferred several blocks to the ] to undergo surgery. A gymnasium near the hospital was set up as temporary headquarters for the press and news media to receive updates on his condition. Surgery began at 3:12 a.m. and lasted approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=281–282, 286}} At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, spokesman ] announced that Kennedy's doctors were "concerned over his continuing failure to show improvement"; his condition was critical.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=289}} | |||
=== Shooting === | |||
]Kennedy planned to walk through the ballroom when he had finished speaking. He was on his way to another gathering of supporters elsewhere in the hotel.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=264}} Reporters wanted a press conference; campaign aide ] decided that Kennedy would forgo the second gathering and instead go through the hotel's kitchen and pantry area behind the ballroom to the press area. Kennedy had welcomed contact with the public during the campaign, and people had often tried to touch him in their excitement.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=113–114}} Soon after Kennedy concluded the speech, he started to exit when Barry stopped him and said, "No, it's been changed. We're going this way."{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=264–265}} Barry and Dutton began clearing a way for Kennedy to go left through swinging doors to the kitchen corridor, but Kennedy was hemmed in by the crowd and followed ''maître d'hôtel'' Karl Uecker through a back exit.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=264–265}} Uecker led Kennedy through the kitchen area, holding his right-wrist, but frequently releasing it as Kennedy shook hands with people whom he encountered.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|loc=§1}} Uecker and Kennedy started down a passageway narrowed by an ice-machine against the right wall and a steam table to the left.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|loc=§1}} Kennedy turned to his left and shook hands with a busboy named Juan Romero,{{Sfn|Melanson|1994|p=18}}{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=96}} just as ] stepped down from a low tray-stacker beside the ice-machine, rushed past Uecker, and repeatedly fired an eight-shot ] caliber ].{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=266}} | |||
Kennedy had been shot multiple times.{{Sfn|''Time'' (b)|1968}} The fatal shot was fired at a range of {{convert|1|in|cm|0}},{{Sfn|''Time'' (a)|1969}} entering behind his right ear.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=85}} The other two shots entered at the rear of his right armpit; one exited from his chest and the other lodged in the back of his neck.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=85}} Despite extensive neurosurgery to remove the bullet and bone fragments from his brain, he was pronounced dead at 1:44 a.m. on June 6, nearly 25 hours after the shooting.{{Sfn|''Time'' (b)|1968}} Mankiewicz left the hospital and walked to the gymnasium where the press and news media were set up for continuous updates on the situation. At 2 a.m. on June 6, Mankiewicz announced Kennedy's death.{{Sfn|Gabler|2020|pp=383–384}} The following week, NBC devoted 55 hours to the shooting and its aftermath, ABC 43 hours, and CBS 42 hours, with all three networks initially pre-empting their regular coverage and advertisements to cover the story.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1968}} | |||
Kennedy fell to the floor; Barry hit Sirhan twice in the face while others, including writer ] and Grier, forced him against the steam table and disarmed him, as he continued firing his gun in random directions. Five other people were wounded: William Weisel of ], Paul Schrade of the ] union, Democratic Party activist Elizabeth Evans, Ira Goldstein of the Continental News Service, and Kennedy campaign volunteer Irwin Stroll.{{Sfn|''Time'' (a)|1968}} A minute later, Sirhan wrestled free and grabbed the revolver again, but all the bullets had already been fired and he was subdued.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=269}} Barry went to Kennedy and placed his jacket under Kennedy's head, later recalling: "I knew immediately it was a .22, a small caliber, so I hoped it wouldn't be so bad, but then I saw the hole in the Senator's head, and I knew".{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=269}} Reporters and photographers rushed into the area. As Kennedy lay wounded, Romero cradled his head and placed a rosary in his hand.{{Sfn|''Time''|1998}} Kennedy asked Romero, "Is everybody OK?" and Romero responded, "Yes, everybody's OK." Kennedy then turned away and said, "Everything's going to be OK."{{Sfn|''Newsweek''|1968}} The moment was captured by '']'' photographer ] and Boris Yaro of the '']'' and became the iconic image of the assassination.{{Sfn|Reynolds|2007}} There was some initial confusion concerning who was shot, one witness believing that the primary victim was Kennedy's campaign manager and brother-in-law ]. Another witness stated that a female in a polka-dot dress had exclaimed repeatedly "We killed him" before running away. | |||
=== Funeral and aftermath === | |||
As the shooting took place, ] was signing off from its electoral broadcast, while the ] coverage had already concluded.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1968}} CBS re-began its coverage of the assassination 21 minutes after the shooting. The reporters present to report Kennedy's victory ended up crowding into the kitchen where he had been shot and the immediate aftermath was captured only by audio recording and cameras that had no live transmission capability.{{Sfn|''Time'' (a)|1968}} ABC was able to show scant live footage from the kitchen after Kennedy had been transported, but all of ABC's coverage from the hotel was in ].{{Sfn|ABC}} CBS and NBC shot footage in the kitchen of the shooting's aftermath on color film, which had not been broadcast until it was developed two hours after the incident.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1968}} Los Angeles ] affiliate ] interrupted its rundown of local primary returns to provide coverage of the shooting. KNX also simulcast coverage from KNXT-TV (now ]) with anchor ], which was also fed nationwide on the CBS Radio Network in the initial hours after the shooting.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1968}} | |||
]|alt=Grave of Robert F. Kennedy. A cross with few flowers can be seen.]] | |||
Senator Kennedy's casket was taken, via a jet emblazoned with "United States of America" and sent by President Lyndon B. Johnson,{{Sfn|Shapell|Willen|2018}} to New York City, where his casket was viewed by thousands ].{{Sfn|''The Independent''|2007}} The funeral mass was held on the morning of June 8.{{Sfn|Mossman|Stark|1972|p=332}} Kennedy's younger brother, Senator ], delivered the eulogy, saying: | |||
=== Immediate aftermath and death === | |||
Kennedy's wife ] was three months pregnant; she stood outside the crush of people at the scene seeking help.{{Sfn|''Newsweek''|1968}} She was soon led to her husband and knelt beside him. He turned his head and seemed to recognize her.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=272}} Smith promptly appeared on television and calmly asked for a doctor.{{Sfn|Newfield|1988|pp=299–300}} Friend and journalist Pete Hamill recalled that Kennedy had "a kind of sweet accepting smile on his face, as if he knew it would all end this way".{{Sfn|Cottrell|Browne|2018|p=164}} After several minutes, medical attendants arrived and lifted Kennedy onto a stretcher, prompting him to whisper, "Don't lift me", which were his last words,{{Sfn|Heymann|1998|p=500}}{{Sfn|Clarke|2008|p=275}} as he lost consciousness shortly after.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=273}} He was taken a mile away to Central Receiving Hospital, where he arrived near death. One doctor slapped his face, calling, "Bob, Bob", while another doctor manually massaged his heart.{{Sfn|''Time'' (b)|1968}} After obtaining a good heartbeat, doctors handed a ] to Ethel so that she could hear his heart beating.{{Sfn|''Newsweek''|1968}} After about 30 minutes, Kennedy was transferred several blocks to the ] to undergo a surgery. A gymnasium near the hospital was set up as temporary headquarters for the press and news media to receive updates on his condition. Surgery began at 3:12 a.m. and lasted approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|pp=281–282}} At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, spokesman ] announced that Kennedy's doctors were "concerned over his continuing failure to show improvement"; his condition remained "extremely critical as to life".{{Sfn|Witcover|1988|p=289}} | |||
<blockquote>My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it ... As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: "Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not."{{Sfn|Wells|2018|p=5}}</blockquote> | |||
Kennedy's body was transported via train to Washington, D.C.; many mourners lined the route, paying their respects.{{Sfn|ANC}} On the way to the cemetery, the funeral procession passed through ], a shantytown protest site.{{Sfn|Kotz|2005|p=422}} The procession stopped in front of the ], where residents of Resurrection City joined the group, and the "]" was sung.{{Sfn|Mossman|Stark|1972|pp=335–336}} ] near his older brother John in ]. This was the first burial to have ever taken place there at night.{{Sfn|''The Independent''|2007}}{{Sfn|ANC}} After the assassination, ] altered the Secret Service's mandate to include protection for major presidential and vice-presidential nominees.{{Sfn|Secret Service}} | |||
At the time of his death, Kennedy was substantially behind Humphrey in convention delegate support,{{Sfn|''The Guardian''|2007}} but many believe that, following his victory in the California primary, he would have ultimately secured the nomination.{{Sfn|Newfield|1988|p=293}} Humphrey won the nomination at the convention in Chicago, at which ] occurred. He ultimately lost the general election to Republican candidate ] by a narrow popular vote margin of 0.7 percent. Nixon won by a more decisive 301–191 margin in ].{{Sfn|''Guide to U.S. Elections''|2010|pp=329–331}} | |||
Kennedy had been shot three times. One bullet was fired at a range of {{convert|1|in|cm|0}} and entered behind his right ear, dispersing fragments throughout his brain.{{Sfn|''Time''|1969}} The other two entered at the rear of his right armpit; one exited from his chest and the other lodged in the back of his neck.{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=85}} Despite extensive ] to remove the bullet and bone fragments from his brain, he was pronounced dead at 1:44 a.m. on June 6, nearly 26 hours after the shooting.{{Sfn|''Time'' (b)|1968}} Frank Mankiewicz left the hospital and walked to the gymnasium where the press and news media were set up for continuous updates on the situation. At 2 a.m. on June 6, Mankiewicz approached the podium, took a few moments to compose himself, and made the official announcement:<blockquote>I have a short announcement to read, which I will read at this time. Senator Robert Francis Kennedy died at 1:44 a.m., June 6, 1968. With Senator Kennedy at the time of his death were his wife Ethel, his sisters Mrs. Stephen Smith, Mrs. Patricia Lawford, his brother-in-law Mr. Stephen Smith and his sister-in-law ]. He was 42 years old. Thank you.{{Sfn|Gabler|2020|pp=383–384}} </blockquote>Over the following week, NBC devoted 55 hours to the shooting and aftermath, ABC 43 hours, and CBS 42 hours, with all three networks preempting their regular coverage and advertisements to cover the story.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1968}} | |||
== Perpetrator == | == Perpetrator == | ||
] | |||
=== Sirhan Sirhan === | |||
{{Main|Sirhan Sirhan}} | {{Main|Sirhan Sirhan}} | ||
] | |||
Sirhan Sirhan (born March 19, 1944) is a ] Arab with Jordanian citizenship, born in Jerusalem, who held strongly ] beliefs.<ref name=BST>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,838860,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105065541/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,838860,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2007|title=Behind Steel Doors|magazine=Time|date=January 17, 1969|access-date=April 27, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,841578,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110013040/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,841578,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 10, 2007 |title=Selectivity In Los Angeles|magazine=Time|date=January 31, 1969|access-date=April 27, 2008}}</ref> A diary was found during a search of his home, and he wrote on May 19: "My determination to eliminate RFK is becoming more and more of an unshakable obsession. RFK must die. RFK must be killed. Robert F. Kennedy must be assassinated ... Robert F. Kennedy must be assassinated before 5 June 68."{{Sfn|Sanders|2000|p=267}} It has been suggested that the date of the assassination is significant because it was the first anniversary of the start of the ] between Israel and its Arab neighbors.{{Sfn|Coleman|2004|p=27}} When Sirhan was booked by police, they found a newspaper article in his pocket that discussed Kennedy's support for Israel; Sirhan testified at his trial that he began to hate Kennedy after learning of this support{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=52n}}<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.maryferrell.org/mffweb/archive/viewer/showDoc.do?docId=99533&relPageId=221|title=Trial of Sirhan Bishara Sirhan transcript|volume=18|page=5244|publisher=Mary Ferrell Foundation|access-date=July 26, 2008|date=March 1969|archive-date=September 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903034718/http://www.maryferrell.org/mffweb/archive/viewer/showDoc.do?docId=99533&relPageId=221|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1989, he told ] in prison: "My only connection with Robert Kennedy was his sole support of Israel and his deliberate attempt to send those 50 bombers to Israel to obviously do harm to the Palestinians."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sirhan Felt Betrayed by Kennedy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/20/us/sirhan-felt-betrayed-by-kennedy.html|date=February 20, 1989|work=]|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 20, 2013|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308204651/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/20/us/sirhan-felt-betrayed-by-kennedy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some scholars view the assassination as one of the first major incidents of political violence in the United States stemming from the Arab–Israeli conflict in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080608/news_1n8rfk.html |work=San Diego Union Tribune (Boston Globe) |title=RFK's death now viewed as first case of Mideast violence exported to U.S. |date=June 8, 2008 |access-date=October 17, 2011 |archive-date=June 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611204140/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080608/news_1n8rfk.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Sirhan Sirhan was born on March 19, 1944, in ], ], to an ] family.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=49}} At the age of four, he and his father narrowly escaped a bomb explosion during the ].{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=50}} This incident, according to author ], "had a psychological effect on young Sirhan".{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=51}} He witnessed various other violent incidents during his childhood, including physical abuse by his father and the death of his older brother at the hands of a military truck that was trying to avoid sniper fire. In late 1956, Sirhan, along with his family, immigrated to the United States.{{Sfn|Meloy|2010|p=563}} He was unhappy with immigrating to the United States, later saying that "the U.S. was against the Arabs and was friendly with Israel, and a friend of my enemy is my enemy".{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=53}} Once in the United States, Sirhan received above-average grades and joined an ].{{Sfn|Meloy|2010|p=563}} During his late-teenage years, Sirhan's father abandoned the family,{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=54}} his sister died, two of his brothers were arrested, and he was expelled from ].{{Sfn|Meloy|2010|p=563}} Sirhan held strongly ] and ] beliefs.{{Sfn|Socarides|1979|p=449}} | |||
The interpretation that Sirhan was motivated by Middle Eastern politics has been criticized as an oversimplification which ignores his psychological problems.{{Sfn|Clarke|1981|pp=81–104}} Sirhan's lawyers attempted to use a defense of diminished responsibility during the trial,<ref name=BST /> while Sirhan himself tried to confess to the crime and change his plea to guilty on several occasions.<ref name=ADI>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,839767-2,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528103540/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,839767-2,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2007|title=A Deadly Iteration|magazine=TIME|date=March 7, 1969|access-date=April 27, 2008}}</ref> He testified that he had killed Kennedy "with 20 years of malice aforethought". The judge did not accept this confession and it was later withdrawn.<ref name=ADI /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20030306-2018-ca-sirhanparole.html|title=Sirhan Sirhan denied parole for 12th time|agency=]|publisher=www.signonsandiego.com|access-date=April 26, 2008|date=March 6, 2003|last=Skoloff|first=Brian|archive-date=March 14, 2012|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/669RUtQzQ?url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/state/20030306-2018-ca-sirhanparole.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 1966, while pursuing a career as a jockey, Sirhan fell from a running horse,{{Sfn|Meloy|2010|p=563}} suffering minor injuries. A friend of Sirhan said that after this incident, Sirhan was "impatient, nervous, emotional and always in a hurry".{{Sfn|Socarides|1979|p=450}} A diary was found during a search of his home, where he wrote on May 18: "Robert Kennedy must be assassinated ... My determination to eliminate RFK is becoming more and more of an unshakable obsession. RFK must die. RFK must be killed."{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|p=x}}{{Sfn|Sanders|2000|p=267}}{{Sfn|Kaiser|2008|ps=§3}} | |||
Sirhan was convicted Kennedy's murder on April 17, 1969, and was sentenced to death six days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/07/national/main543105.shtml|title=Sirhan Sirhan Kept Behind Bars|work=CBS News|date=March 7, 2003|last=Murphy|first=Jarrett|access-date=May 18, 2008|archive-date=October 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005055421/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/07/national/main543105.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1972, the sentence was commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole after the ] invalidated all pending death sentences that were imposed prior to 1972, due to its ruling in '']''. Since that time, Sirhan has been denied parole 15 times and is currently confined at the ] in southern San Diego County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_24586904/sirhan-sirhan-moved-new-california-prison|title=Sirhan Sirhan moved to new California prison|date=November 23, 2013|work=San Jose Mercury News|access-date=November 23, 2013|archive-date=December 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230020/http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_24586904/sirhan-sirhan-moved-new-california-prison|url-status=live}}</ref> His lawyers have claimed that he was framed, and he claims to have no memory of his crime.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bullet switch proves Sirhan Sirhan innocent of Robert F Kennedy assassination, claim lawyers|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2011/11/30/bullet-switch-proves-sirhan-sirhan-innocent-of-robert-f-kennedy-assassination-claim-lawyers-86908-23599435/|work=Daily Record|date=November 30, 2011|access-date=December 1, 2011|archive-date=December 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202220218/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2011/11/30/bullet-switch-proves-sirhan-sirhan-innocent-of-robert-f-kennedy-assassination-claim-lawyers-86908-23599435/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Investigation and trial == | |||
Due to Sirhan being a non-citizen, it was illegal under California law for him to purchase firearms.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=109–110}} He violated three California laws by possessing the pistol he used to kill Kennedy.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=109–110}} ] suggested that the date of the assassination is significant because it was the first anniversary of the start of the ] between Israel and its Arab neighbors.{{Sfn|Coleman|2004|pp=27–28}} | |||
The ] ] revolver that Sirhan used to shoot Kennedy originated from Albert Leslie Hertz, a resident of ]. He initially bought the gun to protect his business during the 1965 ], but never used it and kept it in its wrapping paper and box. Hertz's wife decided the gun was too dangerous and gave it to her daughter, Dana Westlake. Westlake did not use it and gave the gun to her next-door neighbor, George Erhard. Erhard later sold the gun to Sirhan's brother, Munir Bishara Sirhan, known as "Joe", who George knew was working at Nash's department store at the corner of Arroyo and Colorado in Pasadena. At the time, Erhard was looking to seek more money from the gun sale to finance some work on his car.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=109–110}} | |||
]|upright=0.8]] | |||
In the interview with the ], Munir said that his brother asked him to obtain a gun because he wanted to visit a rifle range. Munir explained to them that rifle ranges rented guns, in which Sirhan replied "I don't want to get involved. I don't want a signature." Sirhan later asked him if he knew any gun owners, and Munir told investigators that "I don't know why my brother wanted it, you know, wanted anything to do with guns." This request was because Sirhan was a non-citizen; it was illegal under California law for an alien to purchase firearms. Munir later approached Erhard in the parking lot of Nash's store and Erhard showed him the pistol. At this point, Munir said that he asked Erhard to bring the gun to Sirhan's house, since his brother was interested in buying it. He stated that he and Erhard went to Sirhan's home and met him at the dining room, where the three agreed to a sale price: Munir produced $19 and Sirhan paid the $6 balance. However, the LAPD Summary Report stated that:{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=109–110}}{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=109–110}} | |||
When Sirhan was booked by police, they found in his pocket a newspaper article that discussed Kennedy's support for Israel;{{Sfn|Moldea|1995|p=52n}} Sirhan later said that he began to hate Kennedy after learning of this support.{{Sfn|''The New York Times''|1989}} Sirhan was convicted of Kennedy's murder in April 1969,{{Sfn|Hodak|2012|p=72}} and was sentenced to death.{{Sfn|CBS|2003}} In 1972, the sentence was commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole, after the ], in its ruling in '']'', invalidated as unconstitutional all pending death sentences that were imposed before 1972.{{Sfn|Dershowitz |1972}}{{Sfn|Lovett|2011}} In 1975, it was decided that Sirhan would be freed on parole in 1984. In 1982, however, the California Board of Prison Term rescinded the parole date, citing death threats made by Sirhan from prison.{{Sfn|Turner|1982}} In 1989, Sirhan told ] in prison that his sole connection with Kennedy was " support of Israel and his deliberate attempt to send those 50 bombers to Israel to obviously do harm to the Palestinians."{{Sfn|Ayton|2021|p=80}} Although a study published in the '']'' referred to Sirhan as a "withdrawn fanatic with multiple identity problems", the author James W. Clarke stated that Sirhan was more motivated by political issues than by his personal temperament.{{Sfn|Clarke|1981|pp=83, 99}} During the trial, Sirhan's lawyers attempted to use a defense of diminished responsibility,{{Sfn|''Time'' (b)|1969}} while Sirhan tried to confess to the crime and change his plea to guilty on several occasions.{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1969}} He testified that he had killed Kennedy "with 20 years of malice aforethought".{{Sfn|''Time'' (c)|1969}} As of 2023, Sirhan has been denied parole 17 times.{{Sfn|Romine|Almasy|2023}} His lawyers have claimed that he was framed, and he claims to have no memory of his crime.{{Sfn|Lovett|2011}}{{Sfn|''Daily Record''|2011}} | |||
{{Quote|On June 25, 1968, a polygraph examination was administered to Munir Sirhan to determine his truthfulness regarding the gun and whether or not Erhard had ever been in the Sirhan home. Munir Sirhan's responses to questions indicated he was being untruthful ... Munir admitted that he was lying when he said Erhard had been inside his home ... He corrected himself and stated he had asked Erhard if he had any guns for sale and that eventually Erhard showed him the .22-caliber revolver. He examined the gun in the parking lot of Nash's Department Store ... After examining the gun, he told Erhard he did not have sufficient money to purchase the gun at that time. He asked Erhard to bring the gun to the corner of El Molino and Howard Streets in Pasadena later that evening and told him that he would have the money to purchase the gun. Munir stated that he and Sirhan were together when Erhard came to deliver the gun. Munir Sirhan then stated that Sirhan Sirhan had been the one who bought the gun. Munir was again informed that the polygraph test showed that he had actually purchased the gun. Munir Sirhan refused to change his story.}} | |||
In February 2012, Sirhan's lawyers ] and Laurie Dusek filed a court brief in District Court in Los Angeles, claiming that a second gunman fired the shots that killed Kennedy. It was the fourth in a series of federal briefs filed under ] by Pepper and Dusek, beginning in October 2010.{{Sfn|CNN|2012}} In 2015, Judge ] denied the petition.{{Sfn|Reuters|2015}} During Sirhan's 2016 parole hearing, Paul Schrade, who was shot and wounded on the assassination night, asserted that the fatal shot to Kennedy was by a different shooter. He claimed that the ] (LAPD) destroyed evidence, "hid ballistic evidence exonerating Sirhan, and covered up conclusive evidence that a second gunman fatally wounded Robert Kennedy."{{Sfn|Holley|2016}} In August 2021, the California state parole panel recommended Sirhan's parole.{{Sfn|Willon|2022}} Two of Kennedy's children, ] and ], supported the decision, while six others opposed it.{{Sfn|''The Guardian''|2021}} ], the governor of California, denied the parole in January 2022, asserting that "Sirhan has not developed the accountability and insight required to support his safe release into the community."{{Sfn|Newsom|2022}} | |||
It is likely that Munir and Sirhan purchased the gun in such a clandestine manner because they were both aware that it was unlawful for aliens to own handguns.{{Speculation inline}} Sirhan first shot the gun in March 1968 and practiced with it about a half dozen times between March and May 1968. He said he "liked guns". Munir said Sirhan kept the gun in the glove compartment of his De Soto. Munir often heard Sirhan playing with something that made a "click, click" sound, and he believed it was the gun. Munir had been "frightened" by the look in Sirhan's eye when his brother handled the gun. In fact Munir was so worried he made Sirhan swear on their dead sister, Aida, that he would not use the gun in a "bad" way. Sirhan had violated three California laws merely by possessing the pistol he used to kill Robert Kennedy. Thus, if Sirhan were simply an unwitting patsy involved in a conspiracy, the conspirators must have knowingly chosen a man who had been risking the whole conspiratorial venture by possessing an illegal weapon and firing it at a police range. Had Sirhan been caught with the illegal weapon, the purported conspiracy would have collapsed.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=109–110}} | |||
== Conspiracy theories == | == Conspiracy theories == | ||
{{Main|Robert F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories}} | {{Main|Robert F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories}} | ||
As with the ], Robert Kennedy's death has been the subject of widespread analysis. Some individuals involved in the original investigation and some researchers have suggested alternative scenarios for the crime, or have argued that there are serious problems with the official case.{{Sfn|Turner|Christian|1978}} | |||
=== CIA involvement hypothesis === | === CIA involvement hypothesis === | ||
In November 2006, the ]'s '']'' program presented research by filmmaker ] alleging that several ] (CIA) officers were present on the night of the assassination. |
In November 2006, the ]'s '']'' program presented research by filmmaker ] alleging that several ] (CIA) officers were present on the night of the assassination.{{Sfn|BBC News|2006}} The three men who appear in films and photographs from the night of the assassination were identified by former colleagues and associates as former senior CIA officers who had worked together in 1963 at ], the CIA's ] station based in Miami. They were JMWAVE Chief of Operations ], Chief of Maritime Operations Gordon Campbell, and Chief of Psychological Warfare Operations ].{{Sfn|BBC News|2006}}{{Sfn|''The Guardian''|2006}} Several people who had known Morales were sure that he was not the man claimed by O'Sullivan. After O'Sullivan published his book, assassination researchers ] and ] discovered that Campbell had died of a heart attack in 1962, six years before Kennedy's assassination. In response, O'Sullivan stated that the man on the video may have used Campbell's name as an alias.{{Sfn|Aaronovitch|2009|pp=320–324}} | ||
=== Second gunman hypothesis === | === Second gunman hypothesis === | ||
The location of Kennedy's wounds suggested that his assailant had stood behind him, while some witnesses assert that Sirhan faced west as Kennedy moved through the pantry |
The location of Kennedy's wounds suggested that his assailant had stood behind him, while some witnesses assert that Sirhan faced west as Kennedy moved through the pantry.{{Sfn|''The Guardian''|2008}} This has led to the suggestion that a second gunman fired the fatal shot, a possibility supported by ], the Chief Medical Examiner and Coroner for the County of Los Angeles, who stated that the fatal shot was behind Kennedy's right ear and had been fired at a distance of approximately {{Convert|1|inch|cm|abbr=off|sp=us}} to {{Convert|3|inch|cm|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{Sfn|Noguchi|1983|pp=102–103}} Other witnesses said that Kennedy was turning to his left shaking hands as Sirhan approached, from the east.{{Sfn|FBI|1977|p=35}} | ||
In 1975, during a re-examination of the case, experts looked into the possibility of a second gunman, and concluded that there was little or no evidence to support this hypothesis.{{Sfn|FBI|1977|p=35–36}} In 2004, CNN's senior writer Brad Johnson discovered a recording of Kennedy's victory speech, recorded by the Polish journalist {{ill|Stanisław Pruszyński|pl}}. Johnson gave the tapes to the audio engineer Philip Van Praag, who analyzed and found 13 shots fired even though Sirhan's gun held only eight rounds.{{Sfn|Jackman|2018}}{{Sfn|''The Guardian''|2008}} He also stated the recording revealed at least two cases where the timing between shots was shorter than physically possible from Sirhan's gun alone.{{Sfn|''The Guardian''|2008}} Forensic audio specialists Wes Dooley and Paul Pegas of Audio Engineering Associates in Pasadena examined the findings and corroborated the presence of at least 10 shots on the tape along with an over-lapping shot. {{Sfn|O'Sullivan|2008|p=477–478}} Other acoustic experts have claimed that they could find no more than eight shots recorded on the audiotape.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=137–139}} Critics claim that Van Praag misidentified the noise impulses of the recording as gun shots.{{Sfn|Jackman|2018}} | |||
During a re-examination of the case in 1975, the ] ordered expert examination of the possibility of a second gun having been used, and the conclusion of the experts was that there was little or no evidence to support this hypothesis.{{Sfn|FBI (b)|1977|p=35}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20 |title=Robert F Kennedy (Assassination) | work =FBI Records: The Vault|access-date=June 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522145835/https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20/ |archive-date=May 22, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As recently as 2008, eyewitness ] asserted his belief that there must have been a second gunman.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/5/democracy_now_special_robert_f_kennedy |title=Democracy Now! Special: Robert F. Kennedy's Life and Legacy 40 Years After His Assassination |website =Democracy Now! |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180318170922/https://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/5/democracy_now_special_robert_f_kennedy |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |date = June 5, 2008}}</ref> | |||
In 2008, eyewitness ] asserted his belief that there must have been a second gunman.{{Sfn|''Democracy Now!''|2008}} | |||
In 2007, it was revealed that forensic expert Philip Van Praag had analyzed an audiotape of the shooting known as the Pruszynski recording in which Van Praag had discovered acoustic evidence that a second gun had been involved in the assassination. Van Praag found that 13 shots were fired even though Sirhan's gun held only eight rounds, its maximum bullet capacity, and Sirhan had no opportunity to reload it.<ref name=guardian /><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203161347/http://rfkmustdie.blip.tv/file/1362352/ |date=February 3, 2009 }}</ref> Van Praag states the recording also reveals at least two cases where the timing between shots was shorter than physically possible from Sirhan's gun alone. ] specialists Wes Dooley and Paul Pegas of Audio Engineering Associates in Pasadena examined Van Praag's findings and corroborated the presence of more than eight gunshots on the tape along with over-lapping shots, all of this indicating the presence of a second shooter. Similar corroboration came from forensic audio and ] expert Eddy B. Brixen in Copenhagen{{Sfn|O'Sullivan|2008|p=478}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maryferrell.org/pages/RFK_Video.html|title=RFK Video|website=Maryferrell.org|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625050321/https://www.maryferrell.org/pages/RFK_Video.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and audio specialist Phil Spencer Whitehead of the ] in Atlanta.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/06/08/bs.rfkennedy.audio.johnson.cnn?iref=videosearch |title=Breaking News Videos |website=] |access-date=April 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910053819/http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/06/08/bs.rfkennedy.audio.johnson.cnn?iref=videosearch |archive-date=September 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other acoustic experts, however, have claimed that they could find no more than eight shots recorded on the audiotape.{{Sfn|Ayton|2007|pp=137–139}} The Pruszynski recording was published in 2004 by CNN's Brad Johnson; its existence had been unknown to the general public previously.{{Sfn|O'Sullivan|2008|p=475}} | |||
In a 2023 episode of '']'', Kennedy Jr. asserted that Sirhan was not the shooter who killed his father. Kennedy Jr. named Eugene Thane Cesar{{efn|Kennedy Jr. inverted the first two names of Cesar, whose correct name was Thane Eugene Cesar.<ref name="McBride 2022"/>}}<ref name="McBride 2022">{{Cite news |last=McBride |first=Jessica |date=May 2018 |url=https://heavy.com/news/2018/05/thane-eugene-cesar/ |title=Thane Eugene Cesar: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |work=] |access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>{{bsn|date=November 2023}}—a security guard at the time—as the man who fired four shots from behind, one of which killed Kennedy: "Sirhan was a distractor, and the real shooter was behind my father".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rane |first=Jordan |date=June 25, 2023 |title=Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Civil {{as written|Disobediance}}, Strange Camping Trips, and Why He's Running for President |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/podcasts/club-random/robert-f-kennedy-jr |work=] |access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>{{bsn|date=November 2023}} Kennedy Jr. further cited the Noguchi autopsy which noted that his father suffered four contact wounds from the discharge of a gun and that all four shots came from behind him. Kennedy Jr. described his father's departure from the stage towards the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel, which was a route that had not previously been cleared. According to Kennedy Jr., Cesar was holding his father's arm as they walked towards the kitchen.<ref>{{Cite video |people=Club Random Podcast |date=June 25, 2023 |title=Robert F. Kennedy Jr. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0dQD1Z6j60 |access-date=June 27, 2023 |via=YouTube}}</ref>{{bsn|date=November 2023}} | |||
On February 22, 2012, Sirhan's lawyers ] and Laurie Dusek filed a court ] in District Court in Los Angeles claiming that a second gunman fired the shots that killed Kennedy. It was the fourth and final in a series of federal briefs filed under the ] by Pepper and Dusek beginning in October 2010.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/04/justice/california-rfk-second-gun/index.html| first1=Brad| last1=Johnson| first2=Michael| last2=Martinez| title=Attorneys for RFK convicted killer Sirhan push 'second gunman' argument| publisher=CNN| date=March 4, 2012| access-date=March 5, 2012| archive-date=March 16, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316022609/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/04/justice/california-rfk-second-gun/index.html| url-status=live}}</ref> Judge ] denied the petition in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sirhan Sirhan loses bid for freedom over RFK death|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-crime-sirhansirhan-rfk-idUKKBN0KF1N120150106|last=Stempel|first=Jonathan|date=January 6, 2015|work=Reuters|access-date=July 27, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817120119/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-crime-sirhansirhan-rfk-idUKKBN0KF1N120150106|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Aftermath and legacy == | |||
== Legacy == | |||
{{Quote box|"It made me realize that no matter how much hope you have it can be taken away in a second."|Juan Romero{{Sfn|Allen|2015}} | |||
{{listen|filename=EMK eulogy of RFK.ogg|description=Final 30 seconds of ]'s ] at ]|title="Robert Kennedy's eulogy"|filetype=]|pos=right|image=none}} | |||
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Kennedy's assassination was one of the four major ], the others being those of John F. Kennedy (1963), ] (1965), and Martin Luther King Jr. (1968).{{Sfn|Shahidullah|2008|p=64}} Some scholars view the assassination as one of the first major incidents of political violence in the United States stemming from the ] in the Middle East.{{Sfn|Issenberg|2008}} | |||
Following Kennedy's ] on June 6, his remains were taken to ], where his closed casket was viewed by thousands at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The funeral mass was held on the morning of June 8.<ref name=indy2007>{{cite news |first=Liz |last=Hoggard |title=The night Bobby Kennedy was shot|work=The Independent on Sunday |date=January 21, 2007}}</ref> Kennedy's younger brother, Massachusetts Senator ], delivered the eulogy<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ekennedytributetorfk.html |title=American Rhetoric: Edward Kennedy — Eulogy for Robert F. Kennedy|publisher=americanrhetoric.com|access-date=May 12, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080509162252/https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ekennedytributetorfk.html| archive-date= May 9, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> with the words: | |||
Until 1987, the LAPD retained the original files, reports, transcripts, fragments of the bullets that struck Kennedy and the four other bystanders in the kitchen pantry, the .22 caliber Iver-Johnson handgun used by Sirhan, Kennedy's blood-stained clothes, and other artifacts related to the assassination. In 1987, the LAPD donated the entire evidence collection (except for Kennedy's clothes) to the ] in Sacramento, for permanent preservation.{{Sfn|California Secretary of State}}{{Sfn|Physical Evidence|p=5}} Kennedy's blood-stained shirt, tie, and jacket are in the possession of the ].{{Sfn|Physical Evidence|p=5}} In 2010, controversy arose when Kennedy's clothing was transported to the California Homicide Investigators Association conference in Las Vegas, where they were included in a temporary public display. ] called it a "cheap bid for attention". The items and Kennedy's clothing were removed from the exhibit, with the LAPD apologizing to the Kennedy family.{{Sfn|Hayes|2010}}{{Sfn|Blankstein|2010}} | |||
{{Quote|My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it. Those of us who loved him and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will someday come to pass for all the world. As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: "Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not."}} | |||
The ] of the ] contains a large collection of materials on the assassination.{{Sfn|Claire T. Carney Library}} In 2006, American filmmaker ] wrote and directed the film '']''. He attempted to recreate the scene of the assassination through a fictional account. According to the author Ron Briley, "the history in ''Bobby'' is often misleading".{{Sfn|Briley|2007|pp=1041–1042}} | |||
]]] | |||
Immediately following the mass, Kennedy's body was transported by a slow-moving train to ], and thousands of mourners lined the tracks and stations, paying their respects as the train passed by.<ref name=arlington>{{cite web|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/Visitor_information/Robert_F_Kennedy.html |title=Visitor Information |publisher=Arlington National Cemetery |access-date=May 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511202012/http://arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/Robert_F_Kennedy.html |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the way to the cemetery, the funeral procession passed through Resurrection City, a ] protest set up as part of the ].{{Sfn|Kotz|2005|p=422}} The procession stopped in front of the ], where residents of Resurrection City joined the group and sang "]".<ref name="Engler15Jan10">{{cite news|last=Engler|first=Mark|title=Dr. Martin Luther King's Economics: Through Jobs, Freedom|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/dr-martin-luther-kings-economics-through-jobs-freedom#|access-date=July 19, 2012|newspaper=The Nation|date=January 15, 2010|archive-date=February 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221105032/http://www.thenation.com/article/dr-martin-luther-kings-economics-through-jobs-freedom|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|Mossman|Stark|1972|pp=335–336}} ] near his older brother, John, in ], in the first burial to have ever taken place there at night; the second was the burial of his younger brother Ted in 2009.<ref name="indy2007" /><ref name="arlington" /> After Kennedy's assassination, ] altered the Secret Service's mandate to include protection for presidential candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml |title=United States Secret Service History |publisher=United States Secret Service |access-date=May 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513185826/http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The remaining candidates were immediately protected under an ] issued by Lyndon Johnson, putting a strain on the poorly-resourced Secret Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec03/mears_10-29.html |title=Transcript:Online NewsHour — Deadlines Past |first=Terence |last=Smith |date=October 29, 2003 |publisher=PBS |access-date=May 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309061013/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec03/mears_10-29.html |archive-date=March 9, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
In 2023, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife, Cheryl Hines, called for President ] to grant her husband Secret Service protection for ], citing his family's history of successful assassinations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2023 |title=Cheryl Hines to Pres. Biden: My Husband RFK Jr. Needs Secret Service Now ... Consider His Family History |url=https://www.tmz.com/2023/08/24/cheryl-hines-husband-rfk-jr-denied-secret-service-protection-campaign-president/ |publisher=] |access-date=August 24, 2023}}</ref>{{bsn|date=November 2023}}. Robert F. Kennedy Jr's request for Secret Service protection would not be granted until July 15, 2024; two days after former President and Republican presidential nominee ] was ] during a speech in ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Saric |first=Ivana |date=July 15, 2024 |title=RFK Jr. to get Secret Service protection after Trump rally shooting |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/rfk-jr-secret-service-trump |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715211514/https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/rfk-jr-secret-service-trump |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=Axios}}</ref> | |||
=== 1968 election === | |||
At the time of his death, Kennedy was substantially behind Humphrey in convention delegate support,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/comment/story/0,,1999999,00.html|title=Would Robert Kennedy have been president?|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Kerridge|first=Steven|date=January 27, 2007|access-date=November 26, 2007|location=London}}</ref> but many believe that Kennedy would have ultimately secured the nomination following his victory in the California primary.{{Sfn|Newfield|1988|p=293}}{{Sfn|Thomas|2002|p=24}} Only thirteen states held primaries that year; most delegates at the Democratic convention could choose a candidate based on their personal preference. Historian and senior Kennedy campaign advisor ], and others have argued that Kennedy's broad appeal and ] would have been sufficiently convincing at the ] to give him the nomination.<ref>{{cite book|title=Robert Kennedy and His Times|last=Schlesinger Jr.|first=Arthur M.|author-link=Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.|year=1996|publisher=Ballantine Books|isbn=978-0-345-41061-0}}</ref> Historian ] believed that Kennedy would not have secured the nomination.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Beschloss|title=Let's Have Conventions With Cliffhangers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/opinion/let-s-have-conventions-with-cliffhangers.html?pagewanted=print&src=pm|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 11, 1996|access-date=May 13, 2008|author-link=Michael Beschloss|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064722/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/opinion/let-s-have-conventions-with-cliffhangers.html?pagewanted=print&src=pm|url-status=live}}</ref> Humphrey, after a National Convention in Chicago at which ] occurred, was far behind in opinion polls but his support grew. He ultimately lost the ] to Republican ] by the narrow popular vote margin of 0.7 percent. Nixon won by a more decisive 301–191 margin in the ]. | |||
=== Cultural and social impact === | |||
Kennedy's assassination represented the death of optimism for a brighter future that his campaign brought for many Americans who lived through the turbulent 1960s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robert F. Kennedy and the 82 Days That Inspired America|url=http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/51186#sthash.q53iPSHc.dpuf|publisher=History News Network|date=June 8, 2008|access-date=July 12, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824172920/http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/51186#sthash.q53iPSHc.dpuf|url-status=live}}</ref> Juan Romero, the busboy who shook hands with Kennedy right before he was shot, later said, "It made me realize that no matter how much hope you have it can be taken away in a second."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11834126/Busboy-describes-Bobby-Kennedys-final-moments.html|title=Busboy describes Bobby Kennedy's final moments|date=August 30, 2015|publisher=telegraph.co.uk|access-date=April 5, 2018|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824173128/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11834126/Busboy-describes-Bobby-Kennedys-final-moments.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ], a reporter who had been traveling with the campaign, expressed his feelings on the effect of the assassination, closing his memoir on Kennedy with: | |||
{{Quote|Now I realized what makes our generation unique, what defines us apart from those who came before the hopeful winter of 1961, and those who came after the murderous spring of 1968. We are the first generation that learned from experience, in our innocent twenties, that things were not really getting better, that we shall ''not'' overcome. We felt, by the time we reached thirty, that we had already glimpsed the most compassionate leaders our nation could produce, and ]. And from this time forward, things would get worse: our best political leaders were part of memory now, not hope. | |||
The stone was at the bottom of the hill and we were all alone.{{Sfn|Newfield|1988|p=394}}}} | |||
Kennedy's blood-stained shirt, tie and jacket are now in the possession of the ]. A controversy occurred in 2010 when Kennedy's clothing was transported to the California Homicide Investigators Association conference in Las Vegas, where they were included in a temporary public display of never-before-seen artifacts from crime scenes related to prolific serial killers and infamous murders, such as the ] murder and the killing of Hollywood actress ]. The items and Kennedy's clothing were subsequently removed from the exhibit, with the LAPD apologizing to the Kennedy family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/people-news|title=People in the News|website=The Week UK|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-date=January 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107051448/https://www.theweek.co.uk/people-news|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Until 1987, the ] retained the original files, reports, transcripts, fragments of the bullets that struck Kennedy and the four other bystanders in the kitchen pantry, the .22 caliber Iver-Johnson handgun used by Sirhan, Kennedy's blood-stained clothes and other artifacts related to the assassination. In 1987, the LAPD donated the entire evidence collection (except for Kennedy's clothes) to the ] in ] for permanent preservation.<ref>]</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/| title= California State Archives| publisher= ]| access-date= September 25, 2012| archive-date= September 24, 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120924135923/http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/| url-status= live}}</ref> The ] of the ] (known as the ] prior to 1991) also contain a large collection of materials on the assassination,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.umassd.edu/archives/swain/rfk-assassination-archives|title=RFK Assassination Archives – Claire T. Carney Library – UMass Dartmouth|website=Lib.umassd.edu|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523031031/https://www.lib.umassd.edu/archives/swain/rfk-assassination-archives|url-status=live}}</ref> located at the Claire T. Carney University Library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.umassd.edu/about|title=About – Claire T. Carney Library – UMass Dartmouth|website=Lib.umassd.edu|access-date=February 20, 2017|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222055715/http://www.lib.umassd.edu/about|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist|18em}} | ||
== Notes == | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
== Works cited == | == Works cited == | ||
<!-- Ordered by (#1) author's last name. If not mentioned, then by (#2) publisher/website/media outlet, then by (#3) date. --> | |||
=== Books === | === Books === | ||
{{Refbegin}} | {{Refbegin|2}} | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Aaronovitch |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/voodoohistoriesr0000aaro_l2s1/mode/2up?q=Morales |title=Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History |publisher=] |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-224-07470-4 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | * {{Cite book |last=Aaronovitch |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/voodoohistoriesr0000aaro_l2s1/mode/2up?q=Morales |title=Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History |publisher=] |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-224-07470-4 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Ayton |first=Mel |url=https:// |
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* {{Cite book|last= |
* {{Cite book |last=Ayton |first=Mel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLNFEAAAQBAJ |title=Protecting the Presidential Candidates: From JFK To Biden |publisher=] |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-3990-1411-3 |access-date=March 7, 2022 |via=]}} | ||
* {{ |
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* {{Cite book|last= |
* {{Cite book |last=Clarke |first=Thurston |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=] |title=The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days That Inspired America |url=https://archive.org/details/lastcampaignrobe00clar/mode/2up |publisher=] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-8050-7792-6}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last= |
* {{Cite book |last=Coleman |first=Loren |author-link=Loren Coleman |title=The Copycat Effect: How the Media and Popular Culture Trigger the Mayhem In Tomorrow's Headlines |title-link=The Copycat Effect |publisher=] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7434-8223-3 |language=en}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Davis|first=John H.|url=https://archive.org/details/kennedysdynastyd0000davi/mode/2up|title=The Kennedys: Dynasty and Disaster|publisher=]|year=1992|isbn=978-1-56171-060-7|access-date=December 27, 2021|url-access=registration|via=]}} | * {{Cite book |last=Davis |first=John H.|url=https://archive.org/details/kennedysdynastyd0000davi/mode/2up|title=The Kennedys: Dynasty and Disaster|publisher=]|year=1992|isbn=978-1-56171-060-7|access-date=December 27, 2021|url-access=registration|via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Gabler|first=Neal|url=https:// |
* {{Cite book |last=Gabler |first=Neal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p-DTDwAAQBAJ |title=Catching the Wind : Edward Kennedy and the Liberal Hour |isbn=978-0-307-40544-9 |publisher=] |year=2020 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Heymann|first=C. David|url=https://archive.org/details/rfkcandidbiograp00heym/mode/2up|title=RFK: A Candid Biography of Robert F. Kennedy|publisher=]|year=1998|isbn=978-0-525-94217-7|access-date=December 23, 2021|url-access=registration|via=]}} | * {{Cite book |title=Guide to U.S. Elections |publisher=] |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-60426-536-1 |ref={{sfnRef|Guide to U.S. Elections|2010}}}} | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Heymann |first=C. David |url=https://archive.org/details/rfkcandidbiograp00heym/mode/2up |title=RFK: A Candid Biography of Robert F. Kennedy |publisher=] |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-525-94217-7 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last= |
* {{Cite book |last=Kaiser |first=Robert Blair |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vcyXDwAAQBAJ |title='R.F.K. Must Die!': Chasing the Mystery of the Robert Kennedy Assassination |publisher=] |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4683-0868-6 |edition=E-Book |access-date=March 2, 2022 |via=]}} | ||
* {{ |
* {{Cite book |last=Kotz |first=Nick |url=https://archive.org/details/judgmentdayslynd00kotz/mode/2up |title=Judgment Days: Lyndon Baines Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Laws That Changed America |publisher=] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-618-08825-6 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | ||
* {{cite book |last=Melanson |first=Philip H. |title=The Robert F. Kennedy Assassination: New Revelations on the Conspiracy and Cover-Up, 1968–1991 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t9Ex5XwDE4IC |publisher=Shapolsky Publishers |year=1994 |isbn=978-1-56171-324-0 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |via=]}} | |||
* {{cite book |last=Moldea |first=Dan E. |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=] |title=The Killing of Robert F. Kennedy: An Investigation of Motive, Means, and Opportunity |publisher=] |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-393-03791-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/killingofrobertf00mold/mode/2up}} | * {{cite book |last=Moldea |first=Dan E. |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=] |title=The Killing of Robert F. Kennedy: An Investigation of Motive, Means, and Opportunity |publisher=] |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-393-03791-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/killingofrobertf00mold/mode/2up}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last1=Mossman|first1=Billy C.|url=https:// |
* {{Cite book |last1=Mossman |first1=Billy C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mnu1AAAAIAAJ |title=The Last Salute: Civil and Military Funerals, 1921–1969 |last2=Stark |first2=M. W. |publisher=] |year=1972 |lccn=77-606843 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Newfield|first=Jack|url=https://archive.org/details/robertkennedyme000newf/mode/2up|title=Robert Kennedy: A |
* {{Cite book |last=Newfield |first=Jack |url=https://archive.org/details/robertkennedyme000newf/mode/2up |title=Robert Kennedy: A Memoir |publisher=] |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-452-26064-1 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Noguchi|first=Thomas T.|url=https://archive.org/details/coronernogu00nogu/mode/2up|title=Coroner|publisher=]|year=1983|isbn=978-0-671-46772-2|access-date=December 24, 2021|url-access=registration|via=]}} | * {{Cite book |last=Noguchi |first=Thomas T. |url=https://archive.org/details/coronernogu00nogu/mode/2up |title=Coroner |publisher=] |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-671-46772-2 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=O'Sullivan|first=Shane|url=https:// |
* {{Cite book |last=O'Sullivan |first=Shane |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bxt1a2N6E4gC |title=Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy |publisher=] |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4027-5444-9 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Palermo|first=Joseph A.|url=https://archive.org/details/inhisownrightpol00pale/mode/2up|title=In His Own Right: The Political Odyssey of Senator Robert F. Kennedy|publisher=]|year=2001|isbn=978-0-231-12068-5|access-date=December 28, 2021|url-access=registration|via=]}} | * {{Cite book |last=Palermo |first=Joseph A. |url=https://archive.org/details/inhisownrightpol00pale/mode/2up |title=In His Own Right: The Political Odyssey of Senator Robert F. Kennedy |publisher=] |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-231-12068-5 |access-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Sanders|first=Edward|url=https:// |
* {{Cite book |last=Sanders |first=Edward |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yp74VJ2TlBEC |title=America: 1962–1970 |publisher=] |year=2000 |isbn=978-1-57423-189-2 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last=Shahidullah|first=Shahid M.|url=https:// |
* {{Cite book |last=Shahidullah |first=Shahid M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=whWL6D83FBUC |title=Crime Policy in America: Laws, Institutions, and Programs |publisher=] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7618-4098-5 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Evan |url=https://archive.org/details/robertkennedy00thom/mode/2up |title=Robert Kennedy: His Life |publisher=] |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7432-0329-6 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | * {{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Evan |url=https://archive.org/details/robertkennedy00thom/mode/2up |title=Robert Kennedy: His Life |publisher=] |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7432-0329-6 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book|last1=Turner|first1=William W.|url=https://archive.org/details/assassinationofr0000turn/mode/2up|title=The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy: A Searching Look at the Conspiracy and Cover-Up, 1968–1978|last2=Christian|first2=John G.|publisher=]|year=1978|isbn=978-0-394-40273-4|access-date=December 24, 2021|url-access=registration|via=]}} | |||
* {{cite book |last=Witcover |first=Jules |url=https://archive.org/details/85dayslastcampai0000witc/mode/2up |title=85 Days: The Last Campaign of Robert Kennedy |publisher=] |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-688-07859-1 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | * {{cite book |last=Witcover |first=Jules |url=https://archive.org/details/85dayslastcampai0000witc/mode/2up |title=85 Days: The Last Campaign of Robert Kennedy |publisher=] |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-688-07859-1 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Vaughn |first=Robert |url=https://archive.org/details/fortunatelife00vaug_0/page/256/mode/2up?q=amnesia |title=A Fortunate Life: Behind-the-Scenes Stories from a Hollywood Legend |publisher=] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0312590437 |access-date=November 12, 2023 |url-access=registration |via=]}} | |||
{{Refend}} | {{Refend}} | ||
=== |
=== Scholarly articles === | ||
{{Refbegin}} | {{Refbegin|2}} | ||
* {{Cite journal |last=Briley |first=Ron |date=2007 |title=''Bobby'' (Review) |journal=] |volume=94 |issue=3 |doi=10.2307/25095304 |jstor=25095304}} | |||
'''Scholar articles''' | |||
* {{ |
* {{Cite journal |last=Clarke |first=James W. |date=1981 |title=American Assassins: An Alternative Typology |journal=] |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=81–104 |jstor=193462 |doi=10.1017/s0007123400002465 |pmid=11620349 |s2cid=41008730 |issn=0007-1234}} | ||
* {{Cite |
* {{Cite web |last=Curtin |first=Mary T. |date=2000 |orig-date=1999 |title=Humphrey, Hubert Horatio |url=https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700365 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 2, 2022 |website=] |publisher=] |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700365 |isbn=978-0-19-860669-7 |archive-date=January 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102172141/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700365 |url-status=live}} | ||
* {{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Lloyd |date=2000 |orig-date=1999 |title=Johnson, Lyndon Baines |url=https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700147 |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=] |publisher=] |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700147 |isbn=978-0-19-860669-7 |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220215528/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700147 |url-status=live}} | |||
* {{cite journal|last1=Hayes|first1=Matthew A.|title=Robert Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: A Reassertion of Robert Kennedy's Role as the President's 'Indispensable Partner' in the Successful Resolution of the Crisis|journal=]|publisher=]|date=May 7, 2019|volume=104|issue=361|pages=473–503|issn=0018-2648|access-date=December 27, 2021|doi=10.1111/1468-229x.12815|s2cid=164907501|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10075581/1/Hayes_%20Robert%20Kennedy%20and%20the%20Cuban%20Missile%20Crisis%20Final%20Accepted%20Manuscript.pdf|archive-date=December 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227173632/https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10075581/1/Hayes_%20Robert%20Kennedy%20and%20the%20Cuban%20Missile%20Crisis%20Final%20Accepted%20Manuscript.pdf|url-status=live}} | |||
* {{Cite journal |last=Goldzwig |first=Steven R. |date=2003 |title=LBJ, the Rhetoric of Transcendence, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 |journal=Rhetoric and Public Affairs |publisher=] |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=25–53 |doi=10.1353/rap.2003.0029 |jstor=41939808 |s2cid=143697074 |url=https://epublications.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1173&context=comm_fac |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814164130/https://epublications.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1173&context=comm_fac |url-status=live}} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |last=Hodak |first=George |date=2012 |title=Precedents: April 17, 1969, Sirhan Sirhan Convicted |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23207729 |magazine=] |publisher=] |volume=98 |issue=4 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |access-level=subscription}} | |||
* {{Cite journal | |
* {{Cite journal |last1=Hayes |first1=Matthew A. |title=Robert Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: A Reassertion of Robert Kennedy's Role as the President's 'Indispensable Partner' in the Successful Resolution of the Crisis |journal=] |publisher=] |date=May 7, 2019 |volume=104 |issue=361 |pages=473–503 |access-date=December 27, 2021 |doi=10.1111/1468-229x.12815 |s2cid=164907501 |url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10075581/1/Hayes_%20Robert%20Kennedy%20and%20the%20Cuban%20Missile%20Crisis%20Final%20Accepted%20Manuscript.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227173632/https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10075581/1/Hayes_%20Robert%20Kennedy%20and%20the%20Cuban%20Missile%20Crisis%20Final%20Accepted%20Manuscript.pdf |url-status=live |issn=0018-2648}} | ||
* {{Cite web |last=Hoogenboom |first=Olive |date=2000 |orig-date=1999 |title=Lowenstein, Allard Kenneth |url=https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700674|url-access=subscription |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=] |publisher=] |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700674|isbn=978-0-19-860669-7 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231102758/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700674 |url-status=live}} | |||
* {{Cite journal |last=Meloy |first=J. Reid |date=2010 |orig-date=1992 |title=Revisiting the Rorschach of Sirhan Sirhan |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327752jpa5803_10 |journal=] |volume=58 |issue=3 |doi=10.1207/s15327752jpa5803_10 |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 27, 2022 |via=]}} | |||
* {{Cite |
* {{Cite web |last=Keene |first=Ann T. |date=2013 |title=McCarthy, Eugene |url=https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-1501341 |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=] |publisher=] |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1501341 |isbn=978-0-19-860669-7 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231182551/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-1501341 |url-status=live}} | ||
* {{Cite journal |last=Kurtz |first=Michael L. |date=1982 |title=The Assassination of John F. Kennedy: A Historical Perspective |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-6563.1982.tb01568.x |journal=] |publisher=] |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=1–19 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-6563.1982.tb01568.x |jstor=24445228 |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 28, 2021 |via=] |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228163008/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-6563.1982.tb01568.x |url-status=live |issn=0018-2370 }} | |||
* {{Cite journal |last=Meloy |first=J. Reid |date=2010 |orig-date=1992 |title=Revisiting the Rorschach of Sirhan Sirhan |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327752jpa5803_10 |journal=] |volume=58 |issue=3 |pages=548–570 |doi=10.1207/s15327752jpa5803_10 |pmid=1613657 |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 27, 2022 |via=] |issn=0022-3891 }} | |||
* {{Cite web |last=O'Neill |first=William L. |url=https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700153 |title=Kennedy, Robert Francis |publisher=] |date=2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700153 |access-date=December 25, 2021 |website=] |isbn=978-0-19-860669-7 |orig-date=1999 |chapter-url= |url-access=subscription |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104211807/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700153 |url-status=live}} | |||
* {{Cite journal |last=Sieg |first=Kent G. |date=1996 |title=The 1968 Presidential Election and Peace in Vietnam |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/27551671 |journal=] |publisher=] |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=1062–1080 |jstor=27551671 |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231095749/https://www.jstor.org/stable/27551671 |url-status=live |issn=0360-4918 }} | |||
* {{Cite journal |last=Socarides |first=Charles W. |date=1979 |title=Why Sirhan Killed Kennedy: Psychoanalytic Speculations on an Assassination |journal=] |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=447–460 |pmid=11610505 |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/7d5f7ce3cca8de4e680607d112b0a690/1?cbl=1816657&pq-origsite=gscholar |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 27, 2022 |issn=0145-3378 }} | |||
{{Refend}} | |||
=== Magazines === | |||
'''''American National Biography''''' | |||
{{Refbegin|2}} | |||
* {{Cite web|last=Curtin|first=Mary T.|date=2000|orig-date=1999|title=Humphrey, Hubert Horatio|url=https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700365|url-access=subscription|access-date=January 2, 2022|website=]|publisher=]|doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700365|isbn=978-0-19-860669-7|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102172141/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700365|url-status=live}} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |last=Hodak |first=George |date=2012 |title=Precedents: April 17, 1969, Sirhan Sirhan Convicted |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23207729 |magazine=] |publisher=] |volume=98 |issue=4 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription |jstor=23207729 |issn=0747-0088 }} | |||
* {{Cite web|last=Gardner|first=Lloyd|date=2000|orig-date=1999|title=Johnson, Lyndon Baines|url=https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700147|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 31, 2021|website=]|publisher=]|doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700147|isbn=978-0-19-860669-7|archive-date=December 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220215528/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0700147|url-status=live}} | |||
* {{Cite |
* {{Cite magazine |date=June 17, 1968 |title=Once Again ... |url=http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/K%20Disk/Kennedy%20Robert%20F%20Assassination%20Clips/Item%20054.pdf |magazine=] |access-date=February 27, 2022 |via=] |ref={{sfnRef|''Newsweek''|1968}} |issn=0028-9604 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304192157/http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/K%20Disk/Kennedy%20Robert%20F%20Assassination%20Clips/Item%20054.pdf |url-status=live }} | ||
* {{Cite |
* {{Cite magazine|date=June 14, 1968|title=A Life on the Way to Death|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900110,00.html|magazine=]|access-date=February 17, 2022|ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (a)|1968}}|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217164935/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900110,00.html|url-status=live |issn=0040-781X }} | ||
* {{Cite |
* {{Cite magazine |date=June 14, 1968 |title=Everything Was Not Enough |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900131,00.html |magazine=] |access-date=February 27, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (b)|1968}} |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910073527/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900131,00.html |url-status=live |issn=0040-781X }} | ||
* {{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900149,00.html |title=What Was Going On? |magazine=] |date=June 14, 1968 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (c)|1968}} |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910073634/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900149,00.html |url-status=live |issn=0040-781X }} | |||
* {{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,838974,00.html |title=The Man Who Loved Kennedy |magazine=] |date=February 21, 1969 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (a)|1969}} |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910073531/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,838974,00.html |url-status=live |issn=0040-781X }} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |date=January 17, 1969 |title=Trials: Behind Steel Doors |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,838860,00.html |magazine=] |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (b)|1969}} |issn=0040-781X }} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |date=March 7, 1969 |title=Trials: A Deadly Iteration |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,839767,00.html |magazine=] |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (c)|1969}} |issn=0040-781X }} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |last=Lopez |first=Steve |date=June 8, 1998 |title=Guarding The Dream {{endash}} Thirty Years Later, Juan Romero Honors R.F.K. |url=http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,988470,00.html |magazine=] |access-date=February 17, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time''|1998}} |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910073505/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,988470,00.html |url-status=live |issn=0040-781X }} | |||
* {{cite magazine |url=http://www.crimemagazine.com/jfk-and-rfk-assassinations-and-manchurian-candidate-theory |title=The JFK and RFK Assassinations and the "Manchurian Candidate" Theory |magazine=Crime Magazine |date=October 1, 2008 |access-date=November 12, 2023 |ref={{sfnRef|''Crime''|1998}} |archive-date=January 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103080352/http://www.crimemagazine.com/jfk-and-rfk-assassinations-and-manchurian-candidate-theory |url-status=live }} | |||
{{Refend}} | |||
=== News sources === | |||
'''''Time''''' | |||
{{Refbegin|2}} | |||
* {{Cite magazine|date=June 14, 1968|title=A Life on the Way to Death|url=http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900110,00.html|magazine=]|access-date=February 17, 2022|ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (a)|1968}}|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217164935/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900110,00.html|url-status=live}} | |||
* {{ |
* {{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/june-1968-robert-kennedy-assassinated-55585478 |title=Video: June 5, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy is Assassinated |publisher=] |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-status=live |ref={{sfnRef|ABC}} |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904041353/https://abcnews.go.com/politics/video/june-1968-robert-kennedy-assassinated-55585478 }} | ||
* {{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Nick |date=August 30, 2015 |title=Busboy Describes Bobby Kennedy's Final Moments |work=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11834126/Busboy-describes-Bobby-Kennedys-final-moments.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 3, 2022 |issn=0307-1235 }} | |||
* {{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900149,00.html |title=What Was Going On? |magazine=] |date=June 14, 1968 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time'' (c)|1968}} |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910073634/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900149,00.html |url-status=live }} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=November 21, 2006 |title=CIA Role Claim in Kennedy Killing |publisher=] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/6169006.stm |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|BBC News|2006}}}} | |||
* {{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,838974,00.html |title=The Man Who Loved Kennedy |magazine=] |date=February 21, 1969 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time''|1969}} |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910073531/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,838974,00.html |url-status=live }} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Blankstein |first=Andrew |date=March 3, 2010 |title=LAPD Apologizes to Robert Kennedy's Family |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-mar-03-la-me-lapd-exhibit3-2010mar03-story.html |access-date=April 3, 2022 |issn=0458-3035 }} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |last=Lopez |first=Steve |date=June 8, 1998 |title=Guarding The Dream {{endash}} Thirty Years Later, Juan Romero Honors R.F.K. |url=http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,988470,00.html |magazine=] |access-date=February 17, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Time''|1998}} |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910073505/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,988470,00.html |url-status=live }} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Jarrett |date=March 7, 2003 |title=Sirhan Sirhan Kept Behind Bars |publisher=] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sirhan-sirhan-kept-behind-bars/ |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|CBS|2003}}}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last1=Martinez |first1=Michael |last2=Johnson |first2=Brad |date=March 13, 2012 |title=Attorneys for RFK convicted killer Sirhan push 'second gunman' argument |publisher=] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/04/justice/california-rfk-second-gun/index.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|CNN|2012}}}} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=November 30, 2011 |title=Bullet Switch Proves Sirhan Sirhan Innocent of Robert F Kennedy Assassination, Claim Lawyers |work=] |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/bullet-switch-proves-sirhan-sirhan-1088273 |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Daily Record''|2011}} |issn=0956-8069 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Dershowitz |first=Alan M. |date=February 20, 1972 |title=The Nation |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/20/archives/a-decision-that-may-reach-far-beyond-california-death-penalty.html |access-date=March 26, 2022|issn=0362-4331}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Esty-Kendall |first=Jud |date=June 1, 2018 |title=The Busboy Who Cradled A Dying RFK Recalls Those Final Moments |publisher=] |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/06/01/615534723/the-busboy-who-cradled-a-dying-rfk-recalls-those-final-moments |access-date=June 27, 2022}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Ashley |date=March 4, 2010 |title=After Criticism, LAPD Pulls RFK Clothing from Homicide Exhibit |publisher=] |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/04/rfk.exhibit/index.html |access-date=April 3, 2022}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Holley |first=Peter |date=February 10, 2016 |title=This Kennedy Confidant has Spent Decades Calling for the Release of RFK's Killer |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/02/10/this-kennedy-confidant-has-spent-decades-calling-for-the-release-of-rfks-killer/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211011302/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/02/10/this-kennedy-confidant-has-spent-decades-calling-for-the-release-of-rfks-killer/ |archive-date=February 11, 2016}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Issenberg |first=Sasha |date=June 8, 2008 |title=RFK's Death Now Viewed as First Case of Mideast Violence Exported to U.S. |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080608/news_1n8rfk.html |url-status=dead |access-date=June 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611204140/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080608/news_1n8rfk.html |archive-date=June 11, 2008 |work=] |issn=1063-102X }} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Jackman |first=Tom |date=June 6, 2018 |title=The Bobby Kennedy assassination tape: Were 13 shots fired or only 8? |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2018/06/06/the-bobby-kennedy-assassination-tape-were-13-shots-fired-or-only-8/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 7, 2022}} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=March 5, 1986 |title=A Moment of Victory, Then the Dream Died |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-05-mn-15382-story.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008042442/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-05-mn-15382-story.html |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |ref={{sfnRef|''Los Angeles Times''|1986}}}} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=February 20, 1995 |title=Irwin N. Stroll; Wounded in RFK Slaying, He Became Famed Designer |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-20-mn-33997-story.html |access-date=September 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''Los Angeles Times''|1995}}}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Lovett |first=Ian |date=March 2, 2011 |title=California: Sirhan Sirhan Denied Parole |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/us/03brfs-SIRHANSIRHAN_BRF.html?_r=1 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325194632/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/us/03brfs-SIRHANSIRHAN_BRF.html?_r=1 |archive-date=March 25, 2022}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Newsom |first=Gavin |date=January 13, 2022 |title=Newsom: Why I will not release Sirhan Sirhan on parole |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-01-13/sirhan-gavin-newsom-parole-decision |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 25, 2022}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Wallace |date=May 22, 1982 |title=Panel in California Cancels Sirhan's 1984 Parole Date |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/22/us/panel-in-california-cancels-sirhan-s-1984-parole-date.html |access-date=April 25, 2022}} | |||
* {{cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Christopher |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-05-et-artphotos5-story.html |title=Double Exposure of History and Art, in a Shutter's Click |newspaper=] |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 27, 2022 |date=January 5, 2007 |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218232320/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-05-et-artphotos5-story.html |url-status=live |issn=0458-3035 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |last1=Romine |first1=Taylor |last2=Almasy |first2=Steve |title=Sirhan Sirhan, RFK's assassin, denied parole by board whose members had recommended it in 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/01/us/sirhan-sirhan-parole-decision/index.html |date=March 1, 2023 |publisher=CNN |access-date=April 17, 2023}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Segalov |first=Michael |date=October 6, 2018 |title=Rory Kennedy: 'In our family there was no tolerance for being a victim' |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/oct/06/rory-kennedy-film-space-race-father-assassination |access-date=May 5, 2022|issn=0261-3077 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=January 6, 2015 |title=Sirhan Sirhan Loses Bid for Freedom Over RFK Death |publisher=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-crime-sirhansirhan-rfk-idUKKBN0KF1N120150106?edition-redirect=uk |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|Reuters|2015}}}} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=November 20, 2006 |title=Did the CIA kill Bobby Kennedy? |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/20/usa.features11 |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''The Guardian''|2006}} |issn=0261-3077 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Randerson |first=James |date=January 27, 2007 |title=Would Robert Kennedy Have Been President? |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/jan/27/mainsection.comment |access-date=March 15, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''The Guardian''|2007}} |issn=0261-3077 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=February 22, 2008 |title=New Evidence Challenges Official Picture of Kennedy Shooting |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/feb/22/kennedy.assassination |access-date=April 2, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''The Guardian''|2008}} |issn=0261-3077 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=August 28, 2021 |title=Sirhan Sirhan: Six Kennedy Children Condemn Secision to Grant Killer Parole |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/28/sirhan-sirhan-parole-robert-f-kennedy-children-california |access-date=April 25, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''The Guardian''|2021}} |issn=0261-3077 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=January 21, 2007 |title=Assassination: The Night Bobby Kennedy Was Shot |work=] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/assassination-the-night-bobby-kennedy-was-shot-432970.html |access-date=April 3, 2022 |ref={{sfnRef|''The Independent''|2007}} |issn=1741-9743 }} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=June 6, 1968 |title=Transcript of Kennedy Primary Victory Speech |work=] |url=http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/White%20Materials/White%20Assassination%20Clippings%20Folders/Kennedy%20Family%20Folders/Kennedy%20Robert%20F/RFK%200391.pdf |access-date=January 10, 2021 |via=] |ref={{sfnRef|''The New York Times''|1968}} |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109184659/http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/White%20Materials/White%20Assassination%20Clippings%20Folders/Kennedy%20Family%20Folders/Kennedy%20Robert%20F/RFK%200391.pdf |url-status=live |issn=0362-4331}} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=February 20, 1989 |title = Sirhan Felt Betrayed by Kennedy |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/20/us/sirhan-felt-betrayed-by-kennedy.html| access-date=August 19, 2021 |ref={{sfnRef|''The New York Times''|1989}} |issn=0362-4331}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Willon |first=Phil |date=January 13, 2022 |title=Gov. Gavin Newsom Rejects Parole for Sirhan Sirhan, Convicted of Killing Robert F. Kennedy |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-01-13/sirhan-sirhan-kennedy-assassination-parole-denied-gavin-newsom |access-date=April 25, 2022}} | |||
* {{Cite news |last=Teeter |first=Lawrence |date=February 5, 2005 |title=Hypnosis in the Case of Sirhan Sirhan |publisher=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-05-le-textbooks5.3-story.html |access-date=November 12, 2023 |ref={{sfnRef|L.A. Times|2005}} |archive-date=November 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116042952/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-05-le-textbooks5.3-story.html }} | |||
{{Refend}} | {{Refend}} | ||
=== Web sources === | === Web sources === | ||
{{Refbegin}} | {{Refbegin|2}} | ||
* {{Cite web |title=Robert F. Kennedy Memorial |url=http://arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/Robert_F_Kennedy.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511202012/http://arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/Robert_F_Kennedy.html |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |access-date=May 11, 2008 |publisher=] |ref={{sfnRef|ANC}}}} | |||
* {{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/june-1968-robert-kennedy-assassinated-55585478 |title=Video: June 5, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy is Assassinated |website= |publisher=] |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-status=live |ref={{sfnRef|ABC}} |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904041353/https://abcnews.go.com/politics/video/june-1968-robert-kennedy-assassinated-55585478 }} | |||
* {{Cite web |
* {{Cite web |title=RFK Assassination Archives |url=https://www.lib.umassd.edu/archives/swain/rfk-assassination-archives |access-date=April 3, 2022 |publisher=] |ref={{sfnRef|Claire T. Carney Library}}}} | ||
* {{Cite web|date= |
* {{Cite web |date=June 5, 2008 |title=Democracy Now! Special: Robert F. Kennedy's Life and Legacy 40 Years After His Assassination |url=https://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/5/democracy_now_special_robert_f_kennedy |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=] |ref={{sfnRef|''Democracy Now!''|2008}}}} | ||
* {{Cite web |date=April 5, 1977 |title=Robert F. Kennedy Assassination (b) |url=https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20Part%202%20of%203/view |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227114938/https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20Part%202%20of%203/view |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |publisher=] |ref={{sfnRef|FBI|1977}}}} | |||
* {{cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Christopher |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-05-et-artphotos5-story.html |title=Double Exposure of History and Art, in a Shutter's Click |newspaper=] |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 27, 2022 |date=January 5, 2007 |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218232320/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-05-et-artphotos5-story.html |url-status=live }} | |||
* {{Cite web |title=Secret Service History |url=http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513185826/http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2008 |publisher=] |ref={{sfnRef|Secret Service}}}} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |date=June 17, 1968 |title=Once Again ... |url=http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/K%20Disk/Kennedy%20Robert%20F%20Assassination%20Clips/Item%20054.pdf |magazine=] |access-date=February 27, 2022 |via=] |ref={{sfnRef|''Newsweek''|1968}} |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304192157/http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/K%20Disk/Kennedy%20Robert%20F%20Assassination%20Clips/Item%20054.pdf |url-status=live }} | |||
* {{Cite web |last1=Shapell |first1=Benjamin |last2=Willen |first2=Sara |date=June 5, 2018 |title=The Assassination & Funeral of Robert F. Kennedy |url=https://www.shapell.org/historical-perspectives/between-the-lines/the-assassination-funeral-of-robert-f-kennedy/ |access-date=June 19, 2023 |publisher=]}} | |||
* {{Cite news |date=June 6, 1968 |title=Transcript of Kennedy Primary Victory Speech |work=] |url=http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/White%20Materials/White%20Assassination%20Clippings%20Folders/Kennedy%20Family%20Folders/Kennedy%20Robert%20F/RFK%200391.pdf |access-date=January 10, 2021 |via=] |ref={{sfnRef|''The New York Times''|1968}} |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109184659/http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/White%20Materials/White%20Assassination%20Clippings%20Folders/Kennedy%20Family%20Folders/Kennedy%20Robert%20F/RFK%200391.pdf |url-status=live }} | |||
* {{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Leslie |date=2018 |title=RFK's Assassination: 'We Lost a Chance' |url=https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/21825/Wells2018RFK.pdf?sequence=1 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |publisher=]}} | |||
* {{Cite web |title=Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Investigation Records |url=https://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/collections/rfk |access-date=April 3, 2022 |publisher=] |ref={{sfnRef|California Secretary of State}}}} | |||
* {{Cite web |title=List of Physical Evidence |url=https://archives.cdn.sos.ca.gov/collections/rfk/appendix-a.pdf |access-date=September 2, 2022 |publisher=] |ref={{sfnRef|Physical Evidence}}}} | |||
* {{Cite web |date=January 13, 2022 |title=Indeterminate Sentence Parole Release Review: Sirhan Sirhan, B-21014 |url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1.13.22-Sirhan-Reverse-Decision.pdf |access-date=November 12, 2022 |publisher=State of California |ref={{sfnRef|State of California|2022}}}} | |||
* by Donald E. Wilkes, Jr. Flagpole.com, June 9, 2019. | |||
* by Jessica McBride. Heavy.com, updated November 10, 2022. | |||
* from Moldea's book, ''The Killing of Robert F. Kennedy: An Investigation of Motive Means, and Opportunity''. | |||
{{Refend}} | {{Refend}} | ||
== |
== Further reading == | ||
{{Refbegin|2}} | |||
* – LAPD and FBI investigation files and the trial transcript at the ] Foundation | |||
* {{Cite web |date=April 5, 1977 |title=Robert F. Kennedy Assassination (a) |url=https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20Part%201%20of%203/view |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227114941/https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20Part%201%20of%203/view |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |publisher=] |ref=none}} | |||
* | |||
* {{Cite web|date=April 5, 1977|title=Robert F. Kennedy Assassination (c)|url=https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20%28Assassination%29%20Part%203%20of%203/view|url-status=live|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227114942/https://vault.fbi.gov/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20(Assassination)%20/Robert%20F%20Kennedy%20(Assassination)%20Part%203%20of%203/view|archive-date=February 27, 2022|publisher=]|ref=none}} | |||
* , a contemporary eyewitness account by Pete Hamill, ''The Village Voice'', June 13, 1968 | |||
* {{Cite book |last1=Klaber |first1=William |url=https://archive.org/details/shadowplaymurder00klab/mode/2up |title=Shadow Play: The Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, the Trial of Sirhan Sirhan, and the Failure of American Justice |last2=Melanson |first2=Philip |publisher=] |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-312-15398-4 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |url-access=registration |ref=none}} | |||
* – a collection within the ] Archives and Special Collections established in 1984 | |||
{{Refend}} | |||
== External links == | |||
{{-}} | |||
* – via the ] | |||
{{Robert F. Kennedy}} | |||
* – via ] | |||
* – via ] | |||
* , an eyewitness account by ] of the assassination, ], ] | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
{{Robert F. Kennedy|state=collapsed}} | |||
{{Portal bar|1960s|Los Angeles|Law}} | {{Portal bar|1960s|Los Angeles|Law}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
{{Featured article}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 07:38, 15 December 2024
1968 murder in Los Angeles, California
Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy | |
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Robert F. Kennedy lies mortally wounded on the floor immediately after the shooting. Kneeling beside him is 17-year-old busboy Juan Romero, who was shaking Kennedy's hand when Sirhan Sirhan fired the shots. | |
Location | Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Coordinates | 34°03′35″N 118°17′50″W / 34.0597°N 118.2971°W / 34.0597; -118.2971 |
Date | June 5, 1968; 56 years ago (1968-06-05) 12:15 a.m. (UTC−7) |
Target | Robert F. Kennedy |
Attack type | Political assassination, mass shooting |
Weapons | Iver Johnson .22 LR revolver |
Deaths | 1 (Kennedy died on June 6, 1968, from his injuries) |
Injured | 5 |
Perpetrator | Sirhan Sirhan |
Verdict | Guilty on all counts |
Convictions | First-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit murder (5 counts) |
Sentence | Death in 1969; commuted in 1972 to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole |
| ||
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Personal
U.S. Attorney General U.S. Senator from New York Presidential campaign Assassination and legacy
|
||
On June 5, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, and pronounced dead the following day.
Kennedy, a United States senator and candidate in the 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries, won the California and South Dakota primaries on June 4. He addressed his campaign supporters in the Ambassador Hotel's Embassy Ballroom. After leaving the podium, and exiting through a kitchen hallway, he was mortally wounded by multiple shots fired by Sirhan. Kennedy died at Good Samaritan Hospital nearly 25 hours later. His body was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sirhan, a Palestinian who held strong anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian beliefs, testified in 1969 that he killed Kennedy "with 20 years of malice aforethought"; he was convicted and sentenced to death. Due to People v. Anderson, his sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972 with a possibility of parole. His parole request has been denied numerous times. Kennedy's assassination prompted the Secret Service to protect presidential candidates. Additionally, it led to several conspiracy theories.
The assassination was one of four major assassinations of the 1960s in the United States, coming several years after the assassination of Kennedy's brother John in 1963 and the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965, and two months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
Background
Robert F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1925. In 1948, he visited Palestine and wrote six dispatches for The Boston Post. He dismissed the possibility of the Jewish state becoming communist as "fantastically absurd", and called it the "only stabilizing factor remaining in the near and middle East". In 1960, John F. Kennedy, Robert's elder brother, was elected the president of the United States and appointed Robert as U.S. attorney general. During his tenure, Robert served as John's close advisor and was associated with various decisions during the Kennedy administration. According to author Matthew A. Hayes, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Robert acted as a "de-facto Chief of Staff, Presidential Agent and Intermediary for his brother" and was an "indispensable partner" in its successful resolution. In November 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated, and Robert was deeply affected by it. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency and retained almost all prominent Kennedy advisors, including Robert as attorney general.
In 1964, polls showed that various Democrats wanted Kennedy to be Johnson's running mate in that year's presidential election. Kennedy instead organized his senatorial campaign in New York, challenging Kenneth Keating, an incumbent Republican senator. During a campaign speech, Kennedy declared his support for Israel, stating that in the event of an attack, "we will stand by Israel and come to her assistance". He won the election; during his congressional career, he supported civil rights and opposed Johnson's policies regarding the Vietnam War.
The 1968 presidential campaign has been referred to as one of the most volatile campaigns in American history. There was strong opposition to the ongoing Vietnam War; and it was a period of social unrest, with riots in major cities. Allard K. Lowenstein, a Democratic politician, organized a "Dump Johnson" movement to prevent Johnson's nomination as the presidential candidate, and asked Kennedy to run instead. Kennedy refused, asserting that he did not want to split the Democratic Party. Eugene McCarthy, a U.S. senator from Minnesota, then emerged as the leader of the "Dump Johnson" movement and entered several state presidential primaries. In late January 1968, the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, in the view of historian Lloyd Gardner, "shattered hopes that the war could be won within a reasonable period of time—if ever—and broke open the cracks in the Democratic coalition".
On March 12, 1968, in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, McCarthy nearly defeated Johnson with 42 percent to Johnson's 49 percent of the votes. Four days later, Kennedy announced his presidential campaign. On March 31, Johnson announced that he would not seek the presidency. Four days later, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, leading to further riots in several cities. The same day, Kennedy gave a speech in Indianapolis, saying:
What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black. ... let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.
In April, Vice President Hubert Humphrey announced his candidacy for the presidency. He mostly avoided primaries and focused on states which held caucuses. Contrary to Kennedy, Humphrey did not publicly oppose the Vietnam War.
Assassination
California primary and shooting
The California presidential primary elections were held on June 4, 1968. Polls by CBS showed Kennedy leading by 7 percent. The statewide results gave Kennedy 46 percent to McCarthy's 42 percent. Kennedy also won the South Dakota primary, winning approximately 50 percent of the vote. Author Joseph Palermo referred to the victory as Kennedy's "greatest". He was now in second place with 393+1⁄2 total delegates, against Humphrey's 561+1⁄2 delegates.
At approximately 12:02 a.m. PDT the next day, Kennedy addressed his campaign supporters in the Embassy Ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel, in the Mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles. At the time, the government did not provide Secret Service protection for presidential candidates. Kennedy's only security personnel were former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent William Barry and two unofficial bodyguards: Olympic decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson and former football player Rosey Grier. At approximately 12:10 am, concluding his victory speech, Kennedy said: "So my thanks to all of you and on to Chicago and let's win there." Kennedy planned to walk through the ballroom after speaking on his way to another gathering of supporters, but reporters wanted a press conference. Campaign aide Fred Dutton decided that Kennedy would forgo the second gathering and instead go through the hotel's kitchen and pantry area behind the ballroom to the press area. Kennedy had welcomed contact with the public during the campaign, and people had often tried to touch him in excitement. Soon after Kennedy concluded the speech, he started to exit through the ballroom when Barry stopped him and said, "No, it's been changed. We're going this way." Barry and Dutton began clearing a way for Kennedy to go left, through swinging doors, to the kitchen corridor, but he was hemmed in by the crowd and followed maître d'hôtel Karl Uecker through a back exit. Uecker led Kennedy through the kitchen area, holding his right wrist, but frequently releasing it as Kennedy shook hands with people whom he encountered. Uecker and Kennedy started down a passageway narrowed by an ice machine and a steam table to the north.
Kennedy turned to his left and shook hands with Juan Romero, just as Sirhan Sirhan stepped down from a low tray-stacker beside the ice machine, rushed past Uecker, and repeatedly fired an eight-shot .22 Long Rifle caliber Iver Johnson Cadet 55-A revolver at point-blank range. Kennedy fell to the floor; others, including writer George Plimpton and Grier, tried to disarm Sirhan, as he continued firing his gun in random directions. Five other people were wounded: William Weisel of ABC News, Paul Schrade of the United Automobile Workers union, Democratic Party activist Elizabeth Evans, Ira Goldstein of the Continental News Service, and Kennedy campaign volunteer Irwin Stroll. A minute later, Sirhan wrestled free and grabbed the revolver again, but others grabbed him. Barry went to Kennedy and placed his jacket under Kennedy's head. As Kennedy lay wounded, Romero cradled his head and placed a rosary in his hand. Kennedy asked Romero, "Is everybody OK?"; Romero responded, "Yes, everybody's OK." Kennedy then turned away and said, "Everything's going to be OK." The moment was captured by Boris Yaro of the Los Angeles Times and became the iconic image of the assassination.
Immediate aftermath and death
As the shooting took place, ABC News was signing off from its election-night broadcast, while the CBS coverage had been concluded. CBS went back on the air with coverage of the shooting 21 minutes after it had taken place. ABC's associate news director Weisel, who had been wounded during the shooting, reported from his stretcher. ABC was able to show scant live footage from the kitchen after Kennedy had been transported, but all of ABC's coverage from the hotel was in black-and-white. Approximately three hours after the incident, television networks began their morning broadcast schedule. About six million Western American households viewed the live reporting.
Kennedy's wife, Ethel, who was three months pregnant, had been away from the shooting scene. She was soon led to Kennedy and knelt beside him. Kennedy turned his head seeming to recognize her. Kennedy's campaign manager, his brother-in-law Stephen Edward Smith, promptly appeared on television and asked for a doctor. After several minutes, medical attendants arrived and lifted Kennedy onto a stretcher, prompting him to whisper, "Don't lift me", which were his last words; he lost consciousness shortly after. He was taken to Central Receiving Hospital. A doctor slapped his face, calling, "Bob! Bob! Bob!" while another doctor massaged his heart. After obtaining a good heartbeat, doctors handed a stethoscope to Ethel so that she could hear Kennedy's heart beating. After about 30 minutes, Kennedy was transferred several blocks to the Good Samaritan Hospital to undergo surgery. A gymnasium near the hospital was set up as temporary headquarters for the press and news media to receive updates on his condition. Surgery began at 3:12 a.m. and lasted approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, spokesman Frank Mankiewicz announced that Kennedy's doctors were "concerned over his continuing failure to show improvement"; his condition was critical.
Kennedy had been shot multiple times. The fatal shot was fired at a range of 1 inch (3 cm), entering behind his right ear. The other two shots entered at the rear of his right armpit; one exited from his chest and the other lodged in the back of his neck. Despite extensive neurosurgery to remove the bullet and bone fragments from his brain, he was pronounced dead at 1:44 a.m. on June 6, nearly 25 hours after the shooting. Mankiewicz left the hospital and walked to the gymnasium where the press and news media were set up for continuous updates on the situation. At 2 a.m. on June 6, Mankiewicz announced Kennedy's death. The following week, NBC devoted 55 hours to the shooting and its aftermath, ABC 43 hours, and CBS 42 hours, with all three networks initially pre-empting their regular coverage and advertisements to cover the story.
Funeral and aftermath
Senator Kennedy's casket was taken, via a jet emblazoned with "United States of America" and sent by President Lyndon B. Johnson, to New York City, where his casket was viewed by thousands at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The funeral mass was held on the morning of June 8. Kennedy's younger brother, Senator Ted Kennedy, delivered the eulogy, saying:
My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it ... As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: "Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not."
Kennedy's body was transported via train to Washington, D.C.; many mourners lined the route, paying their respects. On the way to the cemetery, the funeral procession passed through Resurrection City, a shantytown protest site. The procession stopped in front of the Lincoln Memorial, where residents of Resurrection City joined the group, and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" was sung. Kennedy was buried near his older brother John in Arlington National Cemetery. This was the first burial to have ever taken place there at night. After the assassination, Congress altered the Secret Service's mandate to include protection for major presidential and vice-presidential nominees.
At the time of his death, Kennedy was substantially behind Humphrey in convention delegate support, but many believe that, following his victory in the California primary, he would have ultimately secured the nomination. Humphrey won the nomination at the convention in Chicago, at which violence in the streets occurred. He ultimately lost the general election to Republican candidate Richard Nixon by a narrow popular vote margin of 0.7 percent. Nixon won by a more decisive 301–191 margin in the Electoral College.
Perpetrator
Main article: Sirhan SirhanSirhan Sirhan was born on March 19, 1944, in Jerusalem, Palestine, to an Arab Christian family. At the age of four, he and his father narrowly escaped a bomb explosion during the 1948 Palestine war. This incident, according to author Mel Ayton, "had a psychological effect on young Sirhan". He witnessed various other violent incidents during his childhood, including physical abuse by his father and the death of his older brother at the hands of a military truck that was trying to avoid sniper fire. In late 1956, Sirhan, along with his family, immigrated to the United States. He was unhappy with immigrating to the United States, later saying that "the U.S. was against the Arabs and was friendly with Israel, and a friend of my enemy is my enemy". Once in the United States, Sirhan received above-average grades and joined an officer candidate school. During his late-teenage years, Sirhan's father abandoned the family, his sister died, two of his brothers were arrested, and he was expelled from Pasadena City College. Sirhan held strongly anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian beliefs.
In 1966, while pursuing a career as a jockey, Sirhan fell from a running horse, suffering minor injuries. A friend of Sirhan said that after this incident, Sirhan was "impatient, nervous, emotional and always in a hurry". A diary was found during a search of his home, where he wrote on May 18: "Robert Kennedy must be assassinated ... My determination to eliminate RFK is becoming more and more of an unshakable obsession. RFK must die. RFK must be killed."
Investigation and trial
Due to Sirhan being a non-citizen, it was illegal under California law for him to purchase firearms. He violated three California laws by possessing the pistol he used to kill Kennedy. Loren Coleman suggested that the date of the assassination is significant because it was the first anniversary of the start of the Six-Day War between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
When Sirhan was booked by police, they found in his pocket a newspaper article that discussed Kennedy's support for Israel; Sirhan later said that he began to hate Kennedy after learning of this support. Sirhan was convicted of Kennedy's murder in April 1969, and was sentenced to death. In 1972, the sentence was commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole, after the California Supreme Court, in its ruling in California v. Anderson, invalidated as unconstitutional all pending death sentences that were imposed before 1972. In 1975, it was decided that Sirhan would be freed on parole in 1984. In 1982, however, the California Board of Prison Term rescinded the parole date, citing death threats made by Sirhan from prison. In 1989, Sirhan told David Frost in prison that his sole connection with Kennedy was " support of Israel and his deliberate attempt to send those 50 bombers to Israel to obviously do harm to the Palestinians." Although a study published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists referred to Sirhan as a "withdrawn fanatic with multiple identity problems", the author James W. Clarke stated that Sirhan was more motivated by political issues than by his personal temperament. During the trial, Sirhan's lawyers attempted to use a defense of diminished responsibility, while Sirhan tried to confess to the crime and change his plea to guilty on several occasions. He testified that he had killed Kennedy "with 20 years of malice aforethought". As of 2023, Sirhan has been denied parole 17 times. His lawyers have claimed that he was framed, and he claims to have no memory of his crime.
In February 2012, Sirhan's lawyers William F. Pepper and Laurie Dusek filed a court brief in District Court in Los Angeles, claiming that a second gunman fired the shots that killed Kennedy. It was the fourth in a series of federal briefs filed under habeas corpus by Pepper and Dusek, beginning in October 2010. In 2015, Judge Beverly Reid O'Connell denied the petition. During Sirhan's 2016 parole hearing, Paul Schrade, who was shot and wounded on the assassination night, asserted that the fatal shot to Kennedy was by a different shooter. He claimed that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) destroyed evidence, "hid ballistic evidence exonerating Sirhan, and covered up conclusive evidence that a second gunman fatally wounded Robert Kennedy." In August 2021, the California state parole panel recommended Sirhan's parole. Two of Kennedy's children, Robert Jr. and Douglas, supported the decision, while six others opposed it. Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, denied the parole in January 2022, asserting that "Sirhan has not developed the accountability and insight required to support his safe release into the community."
Conspiracy theories
Main article: Robert F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theoriesCIA involvement hypothesis
In November 2006, the BBC's Newsnight program presented research by filmmaker Shane O'Sullivan alleging that several Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officers were present on the night of the assassination. The three men who appear in films and photographs from the night of the assassination were identified by former colleagues and associates as former senior CIA officers who had worked together in 1963 at JMWAVE, the CIA's anti-Castro station based in Miami. They were JMWAVE Chief of Operations David Morales, Chief of Maritime Operations Gordon Campbell, and Chief of Psychological Warfare Operations George Joannides. Several people who had known Morales were sure that he was not the man claimed by O'Sullivan. After O'Sullivan published his book, assassination researchers Jefferson Morley and David Talbot discovered that Campbell had died of a heart attack in 1962, six years before Kennedy's assassination. In response, O'Sullivan stated that the man on the video may have used Campbell's name as an alias.
Second gunman hypothesis
The location of Kennedy's wounds suggested that his assailant had stood behind him, while some witnesses assert that Sirhan faced west as Kennedy moved through the pantry. This has led to the suggestion that a second gunman fired the fatal shot, a possibility supported by Thomas Noguchi, the Chief Medical Examiner and Coroner for the County of Los Angeles, who stated that the fatal shot was behind Kennedy's right ear and had been fired at a distance of approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters). Other witnesses said that Kennedy was turning to his left shaking hands as Sirhan approached, from the east.
In 1975, during a re-examination of the case, experts looked into the possibility of a second gunman, and concluded that there was little or no evidence to support this hypothesis. In 2004, CNN's senior writer Brad Johnson discovered a recording of Kennedy's victory speech, recorded by the Polish journalist Stanisław Pruszyński [pl]. Johnson gave the tapes to the audio engineer Philip Van Praag, who analyzed and found 13 shots fired even though Sirhan's gun held only eight rounds. He also stated the recording revealed at least two cases where the timing between shots was shorter than physically possible from Sirhan's gun alone. Forensic audio specialists Wes Dooley and Paul Pegas of Audio Engineering Associates in Pasadena examined the findings and corroborated the presence of at least 10 shots on the tape along with an over-lapping shot. Other acoustic experts have claimed that they could find no more than eight shots recorded on the audiotape. Critics claim that Van Praag misidentified the noise impulses of the recording as gun shots.
In 2008, eyewitness John Pilger asserted his belief that there must have been a second gunman.
In a 2023 episode of Club Random, Kennedy Jr. asserted that Sirhan was not the shooter who killed his father. Kennedy Jr. named Eugene Thane Cesar—a security guard at the time—as the man who fired four shots from behind, one of which killed Kennedy: "Sirhan was a distractor, and the real shooter was behind my father". Kennedy Jr. further cited the Noguchi autopsy which noted that his father suffered four contact wounds from the discharge of a gun and that all four shots came from behind him. Kennedy Jr. described his father's departure from the stage towards the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel, which was a route that had not previously been cleared. According to Kennedy Jr., Cesar was holding his father's arm as they walked towards the kitchen.
Legacy
Juan Romero"It made me realize that no matter how much hope you have it can be taken away in a second."
Kennedy's assassination was one of the four major assassinations in the United States in the 1960s, the others being those of John F. Kennedy (1963), Malcolm X (1965), and Martin Luther King Jr. (1968). Some scholars view the assassination as one of the first major incidents of political violence in the United States stemming from the Arab–Israeli conflict in the Middle East.
Until 1987, the LAPD retained the original files, reports, transcripts, fragments of the bullets that struck Kennedy and the four other bystanders in the kitchen pantry, the .22 caliber Iver-Johnson handgun used by Sirhan, Kennedy's blood-stained clothes, and other artifacts related to the assassination. In 1987, the LAPD donated the entire evidence collection (except for Kennedy's clothes) to the California State Archives in Sacramento, for permanent preservation. Kennedy's blood-stained shirt, tie, and jacket are in the possession of the Los Angeles County District Attorney. In 2010, controversy arose when Kennedy's clothing was transported to the California Homicide Investigators Association conference in Las Vegas, where they were included in a temporary public display. Max Kennedy called it a "cheap bid for attention". The items and Kennedy's clothing were removed from the exhibit, with the LAPD apologizing to the Kennedy family.
The Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Archives of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth contains a large collection of materials on the assassination. In 2006, American filmmaker Emilio Estevez wrote and directed the film Bobby. He attempted to recreate the scene of the assassination through a fictional account. According to the author Ron Briley, "the history in Bobby is often misleading".
In 2023, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife, Cheryl Hines, called for President Joe Biden to grant her husband Secret Service protection for his presidential campaign, citing his family's history of successful assassinations.. Robert F. Kennedy Jr's request for Secret Service protection would not be granted until July 15, 2024; two days after former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt during a speech in Butler, Pennsylvania.
See also
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Notes
- Paul Schrade, William Weisel, Elizabeth Evans, Ira Goldstein, Irwin Stroll
- Kennedy Jr. inverted the first two names of Cesar, whose correct name was Thane Eugene Cesar.
Works cited
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Magazines
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- "A Life on the Way to Death". Time. June 14, 1968. ISSN 0040-781X. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
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- "The Man Who Loved Kennedy". Time. February 21, 1969. ISSN 0040-781X. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- "Trials: Behind Steel Doors". Time. January 17, 1969. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
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- "The JFK and RFK Assassinations and the "Manchurian Candidate" Theory". Crime Magazine. October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
News sources
- "Video: June 5, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy is Assassinated". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- Allen, Nick (August 30, 2015). "Busboy Describes Bobby Kennedy's Final Moments". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
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- Murphy, Jarrett (March 7, 2003). "Sirhan Sirhan Kept Behind Bars". CBS News. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- Martinez, Michael; Johnson, Brad (March 13, 2012). "Attorneys for RFK convicted killer Sirhan push 'second gunman' argument". CNN. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- "Bullet Switch Proves Sirhan Sirhan Innocent of Robert F Kennedy Assassination, Claim Lawyers". Daily Record. November 30, 2011. ISSN 0956-8069. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- Dershowitz, Alan M. (February 20, 1972). "The Nation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
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- Hayes, Ashley (March 4, 2010). "After Criticism, LAPD Pulls RFK Clothing from Homicide Exhibit". CNN. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
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- Issenberg, Sasha (June 8, 2008). "RFK's Death Now Viewed as First Case of Mideast Violence Exported to U.S." The San Diego Union-Tribune. ISSN 1063-102X. Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
- Jackman, Tom (June 6, 2018). "The Bobby Kennedy assassination tape: Were 13 shots fired or only 8?". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- "A Moment of Victory, Then the Dream Died". Los Angeles Times. March 5, 1986. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
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Web sources
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- "Democracy Now! Special: Robert F. Kennedy's Life and Legacy 40 Years After His Assassination". Democracy Now!. June 5, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- "Robert F. Kennedy Assassination (b)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. April 5, 1977. Archived from the original on February 27, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- "Secret Service History". United States Secret Service. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
- Shapell, Benjamin; Willen, Sara (June 5, 2018). "The Assassination & Funeral of Robert F. Kennedy". Shapell Manuscript Foundation. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
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- "Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Investigation Records". Secretary of State of California. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- "List of Physical Evidence" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- "Indeterminate Sentence Parole Release Review: Sirhan Sirhan, B-21014" (PDF). State of California. January 13, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- "The Real Story of the Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy" by Donald E. Wilkes, Jr. Flagpole.com, June 9, 2019.
- "Thane Eugene Cesar: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know" by Jessica McBride. Heavy.com, updated November 10, 2022.
- "Dan Moldea on the polygraph test he arranged for Thane Eugene Cesar" from Moldea's book, The Killing of Robert F. Kennedy: An Investigation of Motive Means, and Opportunity.
Further reading
- "Robert F. Kennedy Assassination (a)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. April 5, 1977. Archived from the original on February 27, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- "Robert F. Kennedy Assassination (c)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. April 5, 1977. Archived from the original on February 27, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- Klaber, William; Melanson, Philip (1997). Shadow Play: The Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, the Trial of Sirhan Sirhan, and the Failure of American Justice. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-15398-4. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
External links
- List of physical evidences at the assassination site – via the California State Archives
- Robert F. Kennedy Assassination 50th Anniversary – via C-SPAN
- Public Law 90-331 – via Govinfo.gov
- Bobby Kennedy's assassination, 1968, an eyewitness account by Alistair Cooke of the assassination, Letter from America, BBC
- Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
- 1968 murders in the United States
- Assassinations in the United States
- Filmed assassinations
- 1968 United States presidential election
- Deaths by firearm in California
- Deaths by person in Los Angeles
- Murder in Los Angeles
- June 1968 events in the United States
- 1968 in Los Angeles
- Political violence in the United States
- Palestinian political violence
- Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
- Robert F. Kennedy
- Lyndon B. Johnson administration controversies
- Anti-Zionism in the United States
- Anti-Israeli sentiment in the United States
- Palestinian-American history