</s>JOHN G. CHRISTIAN John G. Christian, a free lance writer, actively conducted his own investigation into the Kennedy assassination which he claimed would prove the existence of a conspiracy between Jerry Owen, a self-styled minister, and Sirhan Sirhan. Christian based his allegation on what he termed discrepancies in the various statements Owen made to the Los Angeles Police Department and to Attorney George T. Davis. On June 5, 1968, Jerry Owen contacted the Department and related that on June 3, 1968 ,, while driving in Los Angeles, he had picked up two hitchikers as one of whom he later identified from a newspaper photographer as Sirhan .. Owen subsequently "went into hiding" in the San Francisco area. On June 30, 1968. the San Francisco Examiner published Owen's narrative of his involvement with Sirhan and related that Owen was hiding out because he had received threatening telephone calls. Owen also related his story to George T ., Davis, a San Francisco attorney and personal friend. Davis and William Turner tape recorded this interview, according to Christian. William Turner, who was dismissed from the F.B.I. after ten years service, is covered in a separate section of this report. On July 1, 1968), issues of several Central California area news- papers carried stories that a minister was hiding out in that general area because he has information which proved a conspiracy in the assassination of Senator Kennedy and had received threats against his life. Attorney George F. Davis was quoted as saying. -713-3- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
John G. Christian investigated claims of a conspiracy involving Jerry Owen, a self-styled minister, and Sirhan Sirhan in the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Christian alleged inconsistencies between Owen’s statements to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Attorney George T. Davis, and the San Francisco Examiner. Owen claimed he met Sirhan on June 3, 1968, while driving in Los Angeles but later went into hiding in San Francisco. Christian and William Turner, a former FBI agent, sought collaboration with the LAP, citing discrepancies in Owen’s accounts. Christian also alleged connections between Owen, Clay Shaw, and Edgar Eugene Bradley through a church organization. The LAPD investigation concluded Owen was not involved in the assassination despite his false statements. Officer White checked Sirhan’s pupil reaction-time and found no signs of intoxication or drug use. Sgt. Locker assigned Officers Willoughby and Austin to guard Sirhan, who remained silent during interactions. A taped interview began after Sirhan was advised of his rights, but he refused to answer questions about personal details. During the interview, Sirhan asked for a drink of water, which Sgt. Jordan tasted before offering it. Sirhan later kicked over hot chocolate after being told the drink was hot, apologizing afterward. Plans were made to transport Sirhan to Parker Center for secure detention. At Central Jail, Sirhan was examined by Dr. Lanz, diagnosed with minor injuries, and booked on assault charges. Interrogations at Central Jail included discussions about the Kirschke murder case, with Sirhan remaining silent regarding the Kennedy shooting. Evidence linked the gun used in the assassination to Albert Hertz, who sold it through a chain of intermediaries, including George Erhard and Munir Sirhan. A search of Sirhan’s home uncovered notebooks, business cards, gun-related items, and a trash item containing a note referencing RFK. FBI analysis compared handwriting from documents found at the residence with exemplars from family members, concluding some writings matched Sirhan but others could not be definitively linked. Officer F. Franck of the LAPD’s Scientific Investigation Division analyzed handwriting samples attributed to Sirhan B. Sirhan, examining materials including writings obtained from various sources, notebooks found in Sirhan’s home, and an envelope discovered by Officer Young. His July 25, 1968, report concluded all English writings likely originated from a single individual, though the analysis was inconclusive. The text also includes fragmented, possibly coded messages referencing RFK, such as “must be assigned,” “must die-RFK,” and references to individuals like Robert F. Kennedy, J.C.C. D. Finkley, and others. Additional content mentions an envelope found in Sirhan’s room, details about his vehicle’s location and search, and a reference to U.S. Treasury Department postage and revenue service documentation.  

Key People  
- **John G. Christian**: Freelance writer who claimed evidence of a conspiracy involving Jerry Owen and Sirhan Sirhan.  
- **Jerry Owen**: Self-styled minister who allegedly met Sirhan on June 3, 1968; his statements to authorities were inconsistent.  
- **Sirhan Sirhan**: Accused assassin of RFK; interrogated multiple times, remained silent about the shooting, and was booked on assault charges.  
- **William Turner**: Former FBI agent who collaborated with Christian in his investigation.  
- **George T. Davis**: San Francisco attorney who interviewed Owen.  
- **Sgt. John S. Locker**: Assigned to guard Sirhan during initial interrogation.  
- **Officer Fred R. Willoughby** and **Robert E. Austin**: Guarded Sirhan; Willoughby interacted with Sirhan during the hot chocolate incident.  
- **Sgt. William Jordan**: Conducted searches of Sirhan’s person and oversaw his transport to Parker Center.  
- **Dr. Elwin C. Lanz**: Central Jail physician who examined Sirhan’s injuries.  
- **George Erhard**: Sold the gun used in the assassination to Munir Sirhan.  
- **Munir Sirhan**: Brother of Sirhan; identified as “Joe” in the gun sale chain.  
- **Adel Sirhan**: Brother of Sirhan; assisted investigators by allowing a search of their home.  
- **Officer F. Franck**: LAPD officer who conducted handwriting analysis on materials linked to Sirhan.  
- **Robert F. Kennedy (RFK)**: Senator assassinated on June 5, 1968.  
- **J.C.C. D. Finkley**: Mentioned in fragmented coded messages referencing RFK.  

Key Locations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Conducted investigations into Owen’s statements and Sirhan’s involvement; housed Rampart Station and Parker Center for detention.  
- **San Francisco Examiner**: Published Owen’s account of his alleged connection to Sirhan.  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Site of the assassination; witnesses included employees like Gonzalo Cetina, Mary Grohs, and Judy Royer.  
- **Pasadena City College (PCC)**: Sirhan was seen here with Gaymoard Mistri before the shooting.  
- **Rampart Station**: Where Sirhan was initially detained and interrogated.  
- **Parker Center**: Secure facility where Sirhan was transferred for detention.  
- **Central Jail**: Site of subsequent interrogations and booking.  
- **Sirhan Family Home (696 East Howard Street, Pasadena)**: Search conducted by law enforcement to recover evidence.  

Key Events  
- **June 3–5, 1968**: Jerry Owen claimed to have met Sirhan in Los Angeles but later went into hiding; his statements to the LAPD, Davis, and press were inconsistent.  
- **June 4, 1968**: Sirhan was observed by multiple witnesses at the Ambassador Hotel, including Gaymoard Mistri, Hans Bidstrup, and Gonzalo Cetina. He was later identified as the assassin after the shooting.  
- **June 5, 1968**: Sirhan was arrested by officers including Travis R. White and Arthur Placencia; transported to Rampart Station with minimal resistance.  
- **August 7–15, 1968**: Christian provided the LAPD with a tape of Owen’s statements and a “Discrepancy Report #1” alleging a conspiracy; the department found no evidence supporting his claims.  
- **July 25, 1968**: Officer F. Franck completed a handwriting analysis concluding all English writings likely originated from a single individual, though inconclusive.  
- **Interrogation at Rampart Station**: Sirhan refused to answer questions about his identity or the Kennedy shooting.  
- **Transport to Parker Center**: Sirhan was moved via a private camper for security reasons.  
- **Medical Examination**: Dr. Lanz diagnosed Sirhan with minor injuries from the shooting and subsequent incidents.  
- **Gun Trace**: The weapon used in the assassination was linked through ownership records to Albert Hertz, who sold it through intermediaries.  
- **Search of Sirhan’s Home**: Recovered notebooks, business cards, gun-related items, and a trash item containing a note referencing RFK.  
- **Fragmented Coded Messages**: References to RFK in writings found at Sirhan’s home, including “must be assigned,” “must die-RFK,” and mentions of individuals like J.C.C. D. Finkley.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Conducted primary investigations into the assassination and Owen’s involvement; housed Rampart Station and Parker Center for detention.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Analyzed handwriting evidence from Sirhan’s residence; Turner had previously worked for the FBI before being dismissed in 1961.  
- **Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department**: Took custody of Sirhan during arraignment.  
- **Pasadena Police Department**: Conducted initial interviews and searches at the Sirhan home.  
- **Special Unit (S.U.S.)**: Handled letters and public inquiries related to the RFK assassination, receiving over 296 unsolicited communications by January 14, 1969.  
- **U.S. Treasury Department**: Mentioned in a reference to postage and revenue service documentation found with Sirhan’s belongings.  
- **International Revenue Service**: Reference in a document linked to Sirhan’s writings.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_bulky_1208_sec_001_ser1208only-part_04_of_17.pdf

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