Today in history, On April 17, 1969 – Sirhan Sirhan is convicted of assassinating Robert F. Kennedy.

 On April 17, 1969, Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a tragedy that deeply shocked the United States and the world.

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Background of the Assassination

Date of Assassination: June 5, 1968

Location: Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California

Event: RFK had just delivered a victory speech after winning the California Democratic primary for the 1968 presidential election.

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As he was leaving through the hotel kitchen, Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian immigrant, approached Kennedy and fired a .22 caliber revolver at close range. Kennedy was shot three times and died the next day, June 6. Five other people were also injured in the chaos.

Motive

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Sirhan’s motive was reportedly driven by political anger. He was enraged by Kennedy’s pro-Israel stance and his support for sending military aid to Israel. In a notebook found in Sirhan’s home, he had written:

“RFK must die”

“Robert F. Kennedy must be assassinated before 5 June 68”

This date June 5 marked the one-year anniversary of the start of the Six-Day War between Israel and Arab nations.

The Trial

The trial began in February 1969.

Sirhan’s defense team initially entered a not guilty plea, but later changed it to guilty, hoping to avoid the death penalty.

Despite attempts to present Sirhan as mentally disturbed, the jury was not convinced.

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On April 17, 1969, Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder.

He was originally sentenced to death, but in 1972, the California Supreme Court invalidated the state's death penalty, and his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

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Controversies and Conspiracies

Over the years, the assassination has been surrounded by controversy. Some believe a second gunman may have been involved, based on audio recordings and witness testimonies. Kennedy was reportedly shot from behind at very close range, while most witnesses claimed Sirhan was in front of him. However, no definitive proof of a conspiracy has ever been confirmed.

Current Status

As of now, Sirhan Sirhan remains in prison. He has been denied parole multiple times, although in 2021, a parole board recommended his release. That decision was later overturned by California's governor.