RFK Murder Trial: An Open And Shut Case?

As part of my ongoing investigative series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" marking the 55th anniversary of Sirhan's murder trial, I recently spoke to #JFK/#RFK assassination historian James DiEugenio about the evidence in the case, which Jim believes points to a #conspiracy.

I disagree with my friend Jim on this case, arguing that the jury reached the correct verdict in April 1969 when they unanimously decided that Sirhan Sirhan was guilty of first degree murder for the killing of Senator Robert F. #Kennedy and the attempted murder of five other innocent bystanders at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968.

Sirhan's lead defense attorney Grant Cooper said in his final argument at the trial that he felt #Sirhan should spend the rest of his days in the penitentiary, asserting that "American public opinion will see to it that the assassin is never released."

Sirhan's lawyer said the only circumstances in which he could foresee Sirhan's release would be if the United States were to "trade" him for some American in captivity in an Arab state.

In this friendly debate between two longtime historians of the case with differing views, Jim DiEugenio brings the case for Sirhan's defense. I argue for the prosecution.

We also discussed how the first degree murder verdict was in a bizarre way a victory for Sirhan.

The former racetrack exercise boy has denied all along that he was seriously ill mentally and told psychiatrists he wanted to be a hero in the eyes of the Arab world, a martyr for #Palestine.

The official motive for Sirhan's killing of RFK was "anti-#Zionism." Sirhan was angered by Kennedy's support for #Israel, and his Senate vote to send military aid to the country.

Jim DiEugenio is editor in chief at KennedysAndKing.com, author of numerous books on the assassinations of the 1960s,and wrote the screenplay for Oliver Stone's "JFK Revisited" documentary series.

Catch the premiere tonight at 9 PM Eastern.

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