Robert F Kennedy’s assassin Sirhan Sirhan granted parole as slain Senator’s sons support release 53 years after murder
ROBERT F Kennedy's assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, has been granted parole by the California board.
It was his 16th parole hearing and two of sons said they supported Sirhan's release.
It was previously reported that prosecutors would not fight to keep Sirhan, 77, behind bars.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that his office would not object to his release.
“The role of a prosecutor and their access to information ends at sentencing,” said Alex Bastian, a special adviser for Gascón.
Sirhan served 53 years in prison before this parole hearing.
The ruling by the two-person panel at the hearing will be reviewed over the next 90 days by California Parole Board staff.
It will then be sent on to the governor, who will have 30 days to decide whether or not to grant it.
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The governor could also reverse or modify the decision.
Douglas Kennedy, who was a toddler when his father was shot in 1968, said he was moved to tears by Sirhan's remorse, according to the .
He reportedly said Sirhan should be released if he does not pose a threat to others.
“I’m overwhelmed just by being able to view Mr. Sirhan face to face,” he said.
"I think I’ve lived my life both in fear of him and his name in one way or another. And I am grateful today to see him as a human being worthy of compassion and love."
Robert F Kennedy Jr has spoken in favor of Sirhan’s release in the past and wrote in favor of paroling Sirhan this time around.
Sirhan told members of the California Parole Board that he has learned to control his anger.
"I would never put myself in jeopardy again,” he said.
"You have my pledge. I will always look to safety and peace and non-violence."
Bobby Kennedy was shot in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968.
He was shot three times by Palestinian-born Sirhan Bishara Sirhan.
He died the following day after failing to regain consciousness.
Kennedy was a Democratic presidential candidate at the time of his sudden death.
There were some Kennedy family members, Los Angeles law enforcement officers, and members of the public who submitted letters opposing Sirhan’s release, Parole Board Commissioner Robert Barton said at the start of the parole proceeding on Friday.
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Sirhan's defense attorney, Angela Berry, told the AP on Thursday, "We can’t change the past, but he was not sentenced to life without the possibility of parole."
"To justify denying it based on the gravity of the crime and the fact that it disenfranchised millions of Americans is ignoring the rehabilitation that has occurred and that rehabilitation is a more relevant indicator of whether or not a person is still a risk to society."
