Presidential library also has Ford video on file

SACRAMENTO -- When members of a local historical group wanted a video of President Gerald Ford testifying about the 1975 attempt to assassinate him, they filed a petition with a federal judge.

The judge released the recording on Monday, drawing new headlines about the case of Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, the woman convicted of trying to kill the late president outside the Capitol.

Turns out, the video was already available.

Officials at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum in Michigan say they’ve had a public copy of the recording for almost three decades.

Researchers can order a copy, or it can be viewed for free at the library, said Geir Gundersen, the supervisory archivist.

The video was shot in a Washington office building before Fromme’s trial began.

Portions of the recording were played for the jury, which convicted Fromme, and it was later sealed. However, it was unsealed in 1987, which is when library officials said they made it available to the public.

The presidential library has not placed the video online, and since Monday’s release it’s been uploaded to many websites for more widespread viewing.

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Twitter: @chrismegerian