LA police chief, DA defend homicide exhibit after criticism from Robert F. Kennedy’s son

LAPD chief, district attorney defend crime exhibit

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles police chief and district attorney are defending their exhibit of evidence from famous crimes including Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination.

They released a letter Thursday after Kennedy’s son denounced them in a Los Angeles Times op-ed piece for planning to show the suit the senator wore when he was killed. Maxwell Kennedy called it “a macabre publicity stunt.”

Chief Charlie Beck and District Attorney Steve Cooley say they never intended to compound the grief of murder victims’ families. Beck and Cooley say they sought to depict the horror of homicide in hopes of deterring violence.

Thursday was the last day the exhibit was open to the public at a Las Vegas casino hotel. Police say thousands have waited in line as long as two hours to see it.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles police chief and district attorney are defending their exhibit of evidence from famous crimes including Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination.

They released a letter Friday after Kennedy’s son denounced them in a Los Angeles Times op-ed piece for planning to show the suit the senator wore when he was killed. Maxwell Kennedy called it “a macabre publicity stunt.”

Chief Charlie Beck and District Attorney Steve Cooley say they never intended to compound the grief of murder victims’ families. Beck and Cooley say they sought to depict the horror of homicide in hopes of deterring violence.

Thursday was the last day the exhibit was open to the public at a Las Vegas casino hotel. Police say thousands have waited in line as long as two hours to see it.

(This version CORRECTS day in 2nd graf.)