Doubt on Sirhan trial evidence

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32620, 31 May 1971, Page 13

Doubt on Sirhan trial evidence

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LOS ANGELES, May 30. The Los Angeles police chief, Mr Edward Davis, has ordered a new study of evidence used in the trial of Sirhan Sirhan, the condemned assassin of Senator Robert Kennedy.

The action yesterday came after Mrs Barbara Warner Blehr, a private lawyer, charged that a police ballistics expert had test-fired a gun which was not the one taken from Sirhan on the night of June 5, 1968. The expert, Mr Dewayne Wolfer, testified at Sirhan’s trial that the bullets from the test gun came from Sirhan’s pistol, Mrs Blehr said.

Her charges were made on Friday in a letter to the Civil Service Commission, which is to consider Mr Wolfer’s permanent appointment as the head of the Los Angeles Police Department crime laboratory. “The only possible conclusion that must be reached is that two similar guns were being fired at the scene of the crime,” Mrs Blehr said. “Such a conclusion then leads unavoidably to the question: *Which of the two guns fired the single fatal bullet?’ ” Police Inspector Peter Hagan said that the invest!-

gation of the charges would begin on Tuesday.

The assistant Police Chief, Mr Jack Collins, would act as chairman of the threeman investigating board, Inspector Hagan said. “The reason we’re investigating is that allegations have been made and it is necessary to clear the air,” he said.

"We have been assured by the Attorney-General’s office that anything needed to clear the case will be made available."

Inspector Hagan said that evidence from the Sirhan trial was in the custody of the Superior Court in Los Angeles pending the outcome of the appeal of his case. This included the pistol taken from Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel, he said. Mr Davis defended Mr Wolfer in a prepared statement, saying Mr Wolfer "never takes sides on any issue, even when the accused are police officers. He is cautious, conservative, straightforward and a very 'thorough scientist.’’