Fact Check: Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison.

Fact Check: Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison.

What We Know

Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968. He was found guilty on April 17, 1969, and initially sentenced to death by gas chamber. However, this sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1972 following a ruling by the California Supreme Court that deemed capital punishment unconstitutional at the time (source-1, source-4). Sirhan has been incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego and has been denied parole multiple times, with his most recent denial occurring in March 2023 (source-1, source-5).

Analysis

The claim that Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison is supported by multiple credible sources. His conviction is well-documented, with the California Governor's office confirming that he was convicted of first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon (source-2). The details of his trial and subsequent sentencing are also corroborated by historical records and news articles (source-6, source-3).

While there are conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination, including claims that there was a second gunman, these do not detract from the fact that Sirhan was convicted and is serving a life sentence. The reliability of the sources confirming his conviction is high, as they include official state documents and reputable news organizations.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms his conviction and the details surrounding his sentencing and incarceration.

Sources

1. Sirhan Sirhan
2. Executive Report on Parole - Governor of California
3. Sirhan's Sentence Is Reduced to Life By California Court
4. Sirhan Sirhan, Convicted Of Killing Robert F. Kennedy ...
5. 1st degree verdict for RFK's killer - UPI Archives
6. Sirhan Sirhan | EBSCO Research Starters
7. Sirhan Sirhan, in Prison in San Diego, Again Denied Parole in ...