On his 16th try, the board recommended that RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan be granted parole.
On Friday, Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, received a recommendationfor release.
The destiny of the 77-year-old prisoner, who has spent 53 years in jail, is now in the hands of California’s governor.
During Sirhan’s 16th appearance before the parole board, two ofKennedy’s surviving sons, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Douglas Kennedy supported the release.
but many of Kennedy’s other offspring have been vocal in their opposition.
After being convicted of first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill, Sirhan was sent to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in May 1969.
During the virtual hearing, Douglas Kennedy.
who is a child when his father was shot down in 1968, remarked, “I’m overwhelmed simply by being able to see Mr. Sirhan face to face.”
“In some sense, I believe I’ve spent my whole life in dread of him and his name.
And I’m thankful to view him now as a human being deserving of compassion and love.”
Also, Sirhan, dressed in a blue uniform and carrying a paper towel in his pocket folded like a handkerchief, grinned.
Douglas Kennedy informed the prisoner, who nodded and bowed his head, “I do have some affection for
you.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously advocated for Sirhan’s release, has written in favour of his
release.
When he first saw Sirhan, he was touched, he said, “who cried, clinched my hands, and begged for
forgiveness,” and he promised to be “a guiding companion for him.”
The two-person panel recommended parole, but the decision is still pending. Despite the board’s
recommendation for release, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision may be overturned.
Also, Newsom will decide if the award is compatible with public safety, which could take months.
Sirhan has ‘no intention whatsoever of becoming a repeat offender, according to Newsom, who is facing
a recall election on September 14.
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Despite the fact that it was Sirhan’s 16th parole hearing, state prosecutors did not object to his release.
During Sirhan’s parole hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón did not make his
prosecutors available to testify, reiterating his position that a prosecutor’s duty stops at the sentence.
According to Parole Board Commissioner Robert Barton, Los Angeles police enforcement filed a petition
opposing Sirhan’s release, along with letters from the public and relatives of the Kennedy family.
According to Barton, the panel takes into account all submissions while also attempting to assess if Sirhan
represents a threat to society.
After the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Sirhan Sirhan is taken away from the Ambassador
Hotel.
Sirhan stated regarding being a repeat offender, “I have no such desire whatsoever.”
Sirhan qualified as a juvenile offender and was eligible for youth parole, according to Barton, and the
board is obliged by law to give it “considerable weight.” After serving more than 20 years, he was eligible
for elderly release at the age of 77.
In a statement released last week,
Gascón advisor Alex Bastian said that the parole board had all relevant information and assessments, as
well as conduct while inside.
“If a person is proven to be the same individual who perpetrated a heinous crime, he or she will be
deemed unfit for release. However, if someone has spent more than 50 years in jail and is no longer a
danger to public safety, the parole board may recommend release based on an objective assessment
“Bastian remarked.
“Our office rules take these values into consideration, and as a result, our prosecutors do not participate
in parole board hearings,” Bastian said.
According to Gascón’s office, the old approach, which was common among many district attorneys
throughout the nation, included nearly always opposing prisoner releases based simply on the
circumstances of the offense and not on the convict’s subsequent conduct. The new instruction intends
for the parole board to make the final judgment.
The absence of the District Attorney made no difference in the judgment, according to Barton, since
prosecutors had previously opposed parole.
Gascón was elected DA late last year on a platform of broad criminal justice reforms,
including eliminating cash bail for minor crimes, abolishing the death sentence and stopping the practice
of prosecuting minors as adults.
Six of Kennedy’s children released a statement in reaction to Sirhan’s recommendation for parole, blasting
the decision.
“We are heartbroken as children of Robert F. Kennedy because the guy who killed our father has been
nominated for release. We have avoided directly participating in the parole process for decades since our
father’s death is a very difficult subject for us to address publicly “Kennedy’s children Joseph P., Courtney,
Kerry, Christopher, Maxwell, and Rory issued a statement.
“We feel obliged to make our stance plain in light of today’s surprise recommendation by the California
parole board, which comes after 15 prior decisions to refuse release.
We are strongly opposed to Sirhan Sirhan’s parole and release, and we are astounded by a decision that
we think disregards the criteria for parole of a confessed first-degree murderer in California “According to
the statement.
Also, “We can’t believe this guy is approved for parole. We encourage the staff of a Review Board, the
entire Board, and, eventually, Governor Newsom, to overturn this first decision.
It’s a suggestion we’re going to fight every step of the way, and we’re hoping that people who care about
our father’s memory will join us.”
Kennedy is shot in the kitchen of a Los Angeles hotel by Sirhan.
Following a town meeting in which Kennedy celebrated primary wins in his bid for the Democratic
primary in 1968, Sirhan shot Kennedy into dead inside the kitchens of such Ambassadors Grand hotel.
Sirhan was originally condemned to death for the murder, but the capital penalty was ruled illegal by the
California Judge on 1972 and his sentence was reduced to life in prison.
Also, Sirhan’s lawyer, Angela Berry, submitted sentencing memorandums that focused on her client’s
youth (he was 24 just at the time of the attack) and upbringing. Before immigrating to the United States
as a youngster,
Also, Sirhan described himself as a Palestinian who became a refugee at the age of four and “witnessed
horrors most of us only see in movies or in our darkest dreams.”
Also, “Keeping the politics out and obeying the law,” Berry said of the panel. She expressed worry about
other prisoners attempting to “jeopardize” Sirhan’s ultimate release date, saying she and Sirhan
congratulated each other.
And, Barton inquired about Sirhan’s life goals at the age of 24.
The prisoner said that he desired a job, marriage, and settling down as a “decent solid member of the
community,” which he intended to achieve once freed.
Sirhan is questioned by Barton whether he follows the Middle East crisis and what his thoughts are on
it.
Sirhan said that he is unaware of the issue but is concerned about refugees and their plight.
He had a breakdown. Barton said, “Take a few deep breathes.” Barton reminded him that the war is still
going on.
Also, Sirhan expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation “the anguish that those folks are going
through.
Also, It’s excruciating.” He referred to them as “kindred” and said that he would not be human if their
suffering did not affect him.
“However, whatever I want to do in the future, it will be towards amicably settling it,” Sirhan said.
“I believe that peaceful methods are the best approach to settle the Middle East issue.”
According to Barton, the panel has no say in whether Sirhan is deported to Jordan.
“My fear would be that you would become some kind of symbol or lightning rod to incite further
violence,” Barton said.
Sirhan intends to live with his sole surviving brother in Los Angeles if he is granted parole, according to
the petition.
Sirhan would most likely be put in a transitional home at first, then moved to his brother’s household six
months later, according to Barton.
During the hearing, Sirhan remarked of his brother, “I want to be there for him.”
Sirhan said he wasn’t a big drinker but admitted to having hard liquor on the night of the incident.
He promised to be “alcohol-free” and claimed he was working on anger management. Sirhan said, “It’s a
process.”
He claims to be a devout Christian who meditates on a daily basis.
Sirhan said that he was the one who brought the pistol inside the hotel and fired the rounds.
Sirhan is questioned by Barton regarding the Middle East war, as well as his impulsivity and bad
judgment, which were impaired by alcohol at the time.
“I’ve been trying to figure out whether you’re still that person by asking you questions,” Barton said.
“No, I’m not,” she says. Sirhan remarked.
Sirhan got jailed for killing Kennedy and injuring five others within the foodservice pantry of the old
Ambassadors Grand hotel of June 5, 1968.
Three bullets hit Kennedy in the torso, but a fourth bullet went through the shoulder of his suit coat and
was unharmed.
The following day, Kennedy, the most severely injured of the six victims, died.
The other five individuals were able to recover from their injuries.
Also, In 1968, facing Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Senator Eugene McCarthy, the 42-year-old
Kennedy, the younger brother of slain President John F. Kennedy, was a strong candidate for the
Democratic presidential nomination.
Kennedy had just appeared on live television in an Ambassador Hotel ballroom the night before his
murder, claiming victory against McCarthy in the California primary race.
He is tragically shot in the hotel service pantry moments later, on his way to a press conference
scheduled for a small banquet room immediately beyond the pantry.
No cameras were present during the shooting in the pantry.
Sirhan is asking during Friday’s hearing what he would say to those who think he is furious after decades
in prison.
“I completely disagree with them,” he said. “I’m glad that I didn’t have to go through the gas chamber.
I place such a high value on my life… I’d never put myself in that situation again.”
He said, “You have my word on this. I will always prioritize security, peace, and nonviolence.”
Source:
Board recommends parole for RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan on 16th attempt
