California Panel Denies Parole Again for Robert Kennedy Assassin
Lawyer for Sirhan Sirhan has accused the panel of bending to the will of California’s governor, who opposes his parole
In a decision made on Wednesday, the two-person California panel denied parole once again for Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating US Senator Robert Kennedy in 1968. Sirhan has been serving a life sentence for more than five decades, and this is his sixteenth unsuccessful attempt at parole.
The parole board panel cited Sirhan’s failure to understand the “magnitude” of his crime and the “callousness” of his actions as reasons for the denial. The committee also noted that he had not completed the required anger management courses, making him a potential danger to society.
In a statement, the Robert Kennedy family expressed relief that the panel had denied Sirhan’s release. The family’s attorney stated that Sirhan’s lack of remorse and unwillingness to take responsibility for his actions made it clear that he threatened society. The family also expressed gratitude for the panel’s decision, which they believe brings some measure of justice and closure to the tragedy that has haunted them for over fifty years.
During the hearing, Sirhan continued to assert his innocence and claimed that he had been brainwashed and hypnotized into committing the crime. However, his claims were dismissed by the panel, which found them unsupported by evidence. The board also noted that Sirhan had made similar claims during previous parole hearings and that his lack of accountability for his actions was concerning.
Assassination of Robert Kennedy
The assassination of Robert Kennedy, a beloved political figure and brother of former President John F. Kennedy, was a tragic event that shook the nation. Kennedy was shot while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in Los Angeles and died the following day. Sirhan was apprehended at the scene and later convicted of murder.
The decision by the California parole board panel has sparked debate among legal experts and activists regarding the fairness of the parole system and the appropriate punishment for serious crimes. Some argue that after serving such a lengthy sentence, Sirhan should be allowed to demonstrate that he has been rehabilitated and is no longer a threat to society. Others believe that the severity of the crime and the harm it caused to the Kennedy family and the nation justify denying Sirhan’s release.
Despite the decision, Sirhan’s lawyers have vowed to continue to fight for his release, stating that they will explore all available legal options. It remains to be seen whether Sirhan will be granted another parole hearing.
