</s>One associate pastor at the Baptist Church d several talks with Sirhan and he reported that Sirhan appeared to be a very intense atheist. Sirhan could see no logical reason to believe in God. The pastor felt that Siran's beliefs were being rein- forced by a junior high school teacher who gave him literature to read. A family associate at the Baptist Church recalled that Sirhan was extremely bitter and unhappy and that he complained about the laws of the United States. In the early part of 1968, Sirhan began taking Bible studies from a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. They met in sirhan's home on Tuesday evening but Sirhan did not seem to accept the teachings. Siran discontinued the meetings in late : March. Sirhan's involvement With Cults and Mysticism In 1966 Sirhan applied for membership in the Rosicurician Order. He was a correspondence member of The San Jose, California Order. and was known to have attended only one meeting of the Order, that occurred on May 28, 1968, in Pasadena. Sirkan signed the roster but witnesses reported that his appearance at the meeting was unremarkable. He had been dropped as a member in April 1967, when his dues were not paid; however, on February 5, 1968 and March 26, 1968; money orders from Sirhan were received by, the Order, paying his dues in advance. After Sirhan's confinement in the Los Angeles County Jail on June 5,1968, he requested two books which had to do with a world religious cult called the theoretical Society. Friends -58- 2025-RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details investigations into Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, focusing on Sirhan Sirhan’s background, associations, and alleged conspiracies. It outlines Sirhan’s religious beliefs as an intense atheist influenced by a junior high teacher, his involvement with cults like the Rosicrucian Order (1966–1967), and his interest in theosophy. Political views included anti-US foreign policy critiques and interactions with pro-Nasser literature. Investigations into conspiracies examined claims of Sirhan’s associations with individuals like Khaibar Khan, John Antoine Khoury, Estelle Stearns, Jose Duarte, Mike Vejvodda, and Walter Crowe, all of which were largely refuted by evidence or polygraph results. The purchase of the murder weapon by Munir Sirhan (Sirhan’s brother) and his activities at a gun shop in San Gabriel are noted, though no conclusive link to Kennedy’s assassination was established.  

The document also includes witness accounts and investigative findings related to the RFK assassination. Everett Buckner, a rangemaster, claimed he overheard Sirhan and a blond woman in a heated conversation, which he believed was conspiratorial. Investigations revealed Sirhan spent the day at a gun range alone, firing approximately 300–400 rounds from a .22 caliber revolver. Buckner later admitted to confusing Sirhan’s interaction with Claudia Williams (a witness who met him at 4:00 p.m.) with another incident involving a couple arguing over a firearm purchase. A polygraph examination confirmed Buckner’s initial statement was false, and he acknowledged his confusion.  

Other witnesses provided conflicting accounts of Sirhan’s activities. An unidentified man observed Sirhan on the rifle range, but this contradicted statements from other witnesses who noted Sirhan’s rapid firing technique. The investigation concluded Sirhan was alone at the range all day. Jerry Owen, an ex-prize fighter turned minister, alleged a conspiracy involving Sirhan and an attempted horse purchase. His claims were refuted by polygraph results and inconsistencies in his timeline, including discrepancies about his movements on June 3. Virginia Teresi fabricated a story about observing Sirhan with two men near Melrose Avenue, which was disproven by a polygraph examination. John Gearhart falsely claimed to have spoken with Sirhan at a Glendale bar, but evidence showed he lied and was later proven untruthful via polygraph. The Biltmore Hotel clerk’s claim of Sirhan’s stay was debunked by hotel records showing no entry for him.  

James Hoffa Jr. was implicated in an unrelated meeting where Kennedy’s assassination was allegedly discussed, but this was dismissed due to inconsistencies and denials from attendees. Miscellaneous incidents included Antoine Khoury’s alleged connection to Sirhan’s home, which was found to be unfounded, and a bomb threat at Valley College unrelated to RFK.  

The document also outlines the investigation into Sirhan’s premeditation, including witness preparation for trial using reenactments with media footage, scale models, and schematic drawings of the Ambassador Hotel pantry area. Witnesses were evaluated for their potential to testify about Sirhan’s actions, such as his gun practice at the San Gabriel Gun Club, purchase of the murder weapon (an Iver Johnson .22 caliber pistol, serial #153725), and statements indicating intent to kill RFK. Evidence from Sirhan’s home included notebooks with anti-Kennedy writings, while items found in his vehicle, such as a fingerprinted sales receipt for ammunition, supported premeditation. Legal proceedings detailed the arraignment, indictment, and trial preparations, including motions for continuance and court orders restricting publicity. Sirhan’s state of mind post-arrest, including remarks to investigators and his demeanor during custody, was noted.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Sirhan**: Central figure; described as an atheist with intense anti-US views, involved in cults, and linked to conspiracy allegations. Purchased the murder weapon (Iver Johnson .22 caliber pistol, serial #153725) and practiced shooting at ranges.  
- **Munir Sirhan**: Sirhan’s brother, who purchased ammunition from a gun shop in San Gabriel.  
- **George Erhard**: Co-employee of Munir Sirhan involved in the gun sale.  
- **Alvin Clark**: Trash collector who testified about Sirhan’s intent to kill RFK.  
- **L.W. Sloan**: District Attorney’s Office handwriting expert analyzing Sirhan’s writings.  
- **Jesse Unruh**: Politician who recalled Sirhan stating, “I did it for my country.”  
- **Everett Buckner**: Rangemaster who falsely claimed to overhear a conspiratorial conversation with Sirhan.  
- **Claudia Williams**: Witness who met Sirhan at 4:00 p.m. on the day of the assassination.  
- **Jerry Owen**: Ex-prize fighter turned minister who alleged a conspiracy involving Sirhan and an attempted horse purchase; later found to be lying via polygraph.  
- **Virginia Teresi**: Fabricated witness account about observing Sirhan with two men near Melrose Avenue.  
- **John Gearhart**: False claim of meeting Sirhan at a Glendale bar; proven untruthful via polygraph.  
- **Khaibar Khan**: Iranian national investigated for potential contact with Sirhan at the hotel.  
- **John Antoine Khoury**: Allegedly connected to Sirhan via a professor’s report but later cleared of involvement.  
- **Estelle Stearns**: Volunteer worker who falsely claimed to see Sirhan with a gun.  
- **Jose Duarte**: Cuban anti-Castro activist who disputed an argument with someone resembling Sirhan.  
- **Mike Vejvodda**: Right-wing associate linked to Sirhan via an informant but denied involvement.  
- **Walter Crowe, Jr.**: Communist with ties to Sirhan; polygraph indicated possible knowledge of Sirhan’s intent.  
- **Antoine Khoury**: Alleged connection to Sirhan’s home, found to be unfounded.  
- **James Hoffa Jr.**: Implicated in an unrelated meeting where Kennedy’s assassination was allegedly discussed.  

Key Locations  
- **San Gabriel Gun Club**: Where Sirhan practiced shooting and was identified by a member.  
- **Corona Police Pistol Range**: Sirhan practiced with a revolver three days before the assassination.  
- **Lock, Stock 'N Barrel Gun Shop (San Gabriel)**: Sold ammunition to Sirhan.  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Site of the assassination; reenactments conducted here.  
- **Biltmore Hotel**: Clerk’s claim of Sirhan’s stay debunked by hotel records.  
- **Glendale bar**: John Gearhart falsely claimed to have spoken with Sirhan.  
- **Melrose Avenue**: Virginia Teresi fabricated a story about observing Sirhan with two men.  
- **Pasadena City College**: Site of discussions involving pro-Nasser literature and anti-US critiques.  
- **Baptist Church (Pasadena)**: Where Sirhan’s religious beliefs were noted.  
- **Seventh Day Adventist Church**: Sirhan attended Bible studies but rejected teachings.  
- **Rosicrucian Order (San Jose, California)**: Sirhan was a member until 1967.  
- **Fez Restaurant (Pasadena)**: Alleged to be frequented by Sirhan; no evidence of conspiracy found.  
- **Baces Hall (Los Angeles)**: Left-wing meetings where Sirhan’s vehicle was observed but he did not attend.  

Key Events  
- **June 4, 1968**: Sirhan’s activities at the gun range, including interactions with witnesses and contradictions in testimony.  
- **June 3, 1968**: Jerry Owen’s alleged horse purchase conspiracy and conflicting statements about his movements.  
- **June 5, 1968**: Sirhan’s arraignment in Los Angeles Municipal Court; charged with six counts of assault with intent to commit murder.  
- **June 7, 1968**: Grand Jury returned a murder indictment against Sirhan.  
- **July–August 1968**: Trial preparations included continuances, psychiatric evaluations, and motions for discovery.  
- **October 4, 1968**: Court granted defense motion for discovery, surrendering evidence to the District Attorney’s Office.  
- **November 1, 1968**: Trial date set, with ongoing legal proceedings addressing publicity restrictions and pretrial motions.  
- **Polygraph examinations** of Buckner, Owen, Teresi, and Gearhart to verify truthfulness.  
- **Hotel registration discrepancies** at Biltmore Hotel regarding Sirhan’s stay.  
- **Unrelated meeting allegations** involving James Hoffa Jr. and Mrs. Anita Stewart.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Conducted searches of Sirhan’s vehicle and home; analyzed shell casings from the murder weapon and range evidence.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Analyzed shell casings from the murder weapon and range evidence.  
- **District Attorney’s Office**: Oversaw witness selection, indictment, and trial preparations; liaison with investigators for prosecution preparation.  
- **American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)**: Commented on court measures to protect Sirhan’s rights.  
- **Organization of Arab Students in the United States of America and Canada**: Allegedly affiliated with a Pasadena City College chapter, though not officially recognized.  
- **Southern California Communist Party**: Concerned about potential ties to Sirhan but no evidence found.  
- **Arab Student League**: Allegedly sent pro-Nasser literature to Sirhan; organization could not be verified.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_bulky_1208_sec_001_ser1208only-part_16_of_17.pdf

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