◆ SpookStack

Emergence of such a respected organization as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences as a potential critie of the Sirhan investigation added further substance to the growing demand to re- open the case. On Sunday, July 13; 1975, the influential and respected Los Anzeles Times Fan) 4a tajor feature article written by William Farr ana Jonn Kendall headlined: "Robert Kennedy Case Still Stirs Question: Pressure to Reopen Assassination Inquiry Includes Gun, Bullet Howes. ” Death of Joseph Busch To compound the _problen, District Attorney Joseph Busch had tragically died June 27.--1975, from a sudden heart attack. Chief Deputy District Atte’saue-John Howard became Acting District Attorney, and immediat<¥"assumed the role of protaganist in the growing demand to reopen the investigation. Ironically, in one of his last conversations before his death, Joe Busch had told Times reporter William Farr he was seriously considering petitioning. for the appointment of a Special Master by the California Supreme Court to review the ballistics and firearms evidence in the Sirhan case. Busch was, of course, concerned about the integrity of the exhibits, as one of his first jobs upon being appointed District Attorney in late 1970 was to oversee the 1971 re-investigation of the Sirhan matter, and th: -Lrand Jury investigation of the County Clerk's Office concerning unauthorized access to the exhibits. Additionally, and.more important, the District Attorney's Office was most concerse2i* that if the Sirhan case was to be reviewed, it should be done in a court of law, where the rules of evidence would apply, where sworn testimony would be taken on the integrity of the exhibits, and where the right of cross examination and presentation of evidence was guaranteed. The District Attorney's Office was most concerned that a proposed California Legislative Ad Hoc Committee investigation into the Sirhan matter might balloon into a cireus-like atmosphere complete with television, ongoing interviews and commentary, with an "any theory you can do, I can do better" atmosphere. Both Busch and Howard had discussed the possible appointment of a Special Master in a judicial forum. In the early weeks of July, Acting District Attorney Howard had assigned Deputy District Attorney Dinko Bozanich to review the statutes and procedure permitting an application to the State Supreme Court for the appointment of a Special Master.