Robert Kennedy Assassination
Olivia Yoder
June 5, 1968, Los Angeles, CA
Who is Sirhan Sirhan?
Born in Palestine, he confessed to the crime at his trial and received a death sentence on March 3, 1969. Since the California State Supreme Court invalidated all death penalty sentences in 1972, Sirhan has spent the rest of his life in prison.
Media Portrayal
NY Times Article
"I have a short announcement to read which I will read at this time. Senator Robert Francis Kennedy died at 1:44 A.M. today, June 6, 1968. With Senator Kennedy at the time of his death was his wife, Ethel; his sisters, Mrs. Patricia Lawford and Mrs. Stephen Smith, his brother-in-law, Stephen Smith and his sister-in-law, Mrs. John F. Kennedy. He was 42 years old."
The article then gives a graphic description of why/how Robert Kennedy passed away.
"One bullet had gone into the Senator's brain past the mastoid bone back of the right ear, with some fragments going near the brain stem. Another bullet lodged in the back of the neck. A third and minor wound was an abrasion on the forehead."
BBC
"A witness said "Pandemonium broke out because it was a really narrow passageway - probably only about four to five people abreast could get through. Everyone was trying to get in there. It seemed like an awful long time before the ambulances got here."
On the side of the article there is a timeline of the Kennedy family. At the end of the article there is a small paragraph of his brother, JFK, and their relations,
"Robert Kennedy is the younger brother of President John Kennedy who was assassinated in 1963 as he travelled in an open-top car in Dallas."
Biases
Omission
Criticisms
Historical
New outlets around the country made the announcement of his death to a horrified public who thought this was a part of the famous ' Kennedy Curse.'
Since the deaths the Kennedy brothers, extra security measures have been taken up to protect not only the president, but those actively pursuing the job.
Citations
"Bobby Kennedy Is Assassinated." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.
"Israel: Palestinian Gunman in Kibbutz Attack Is Relative of Robert Kennedy Assassin." AP Worldstream 13 Nov. 2002. Web. 30 Apr. 2015. <http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-69513834.html?>.
BBC News. BBC, 5 June 1968. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.