Robert F Kennedy’s daughter Kerry Kennedy (62) wrote to Governor Gavin Newsom in an open letter urging him to release Sirhan Sirhan, her father’s murderer, and urged him to stop parole.
Sirhan, who is 77 years old, was recommended to the state parole board. After Sirhan was released by the state parole board, the staff of the California Parole Board reviewed the decision.
Gov. Newsom will make the final decision on the release of the convicted killer. Although he has not yet indicated that he would approve parole, a decision is expected soon.
Kerry Kennedy was eight years old in 1968 when her father died at LA’s Ambassador Hotel. On Wednesday, she wrote an open letter in The Sacramento Bee to Governor Jerry Brown stating that Sirhan Sirhan shouldn’t be released.
Kerry Kennedy (62), the daughter of RFK published an opinion article on Wednesday urging Governor Gavin Newsom to not parole Sirhan Sirhan, her father’s murderer,
Senator Robert Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel
Gov. Newsom suggested Sirhan would not be approved for parole. However, he hasn’t officially approved or denied Sirhan’s final vote.
The head of RFK Human Rights (a non-profit dedicated social justice) and a lawyer explained to me that while she was an ‘ardent advocate of decarceration’, she doesn’t believe Sirhan is a suitable candidate.
Kerry Kennedy said, “I…fervently believed that every single individual who is suitable to parole should be paroled.”
“Everyone has the right to change. However, this requires acknowledging that a wrong was done; taking responsibility; making a restitution; and then working hard at changing yourself so the society can feel secure knowing the perpetrator won’t harm again.
Kerry Kennedy said that Sirhan never showed remorse nor fully accepted responsibility for his crimes. Instead, Sirhan has supported conspiracies that purport to prove his innocence.
Kerry Kennedy said that Sirhan cannot still acknowledge, excuse or attempt to atone for the wrongs he did.
Sirhan answered the question of how he participated in the assassination during his 2016 parole hearing.
Sirhan answered, “It’s a great question.” According to legal standards, I am innocent of any offense.
Sirhan did not accept the responsibility of the crime at Sirhan’s latest parole hearing.
Sirhan Sirhan (77) was recommended by a California panel to be released on parole in August. He had spent 53 years behind bars for the killing of RFK in June 1948.
Sirhan was sentenced to the death penalty in 1969 after being convicted for first-degree murder. In San Diego County California, Sirhan is serving a term of life at Richard J. Donovan Prisonal Facility.
Sirhan walked toward RFK holding a rolled up poster for his campaign, concealing his.22 revolver and fatally shooting himself in the head.
He stated that he does not recall the crime after 53 years. According to the AP, he said, “it pains me, the knowledgefor such a horrific deed. If I actually did that,”
Robert Barton (parole commissioner) recommended Sirhan be released despite Sirhan’s ‘lacking of taking full responsibility’, as they did not consider Sirhan to be a danger.
“Remorse is essential both for the parole process as well as the notion of criminal rehab itself. Because if an offender doesn’t understand his crime, how is it to stop him from doing the same thing? Kerry Kennedy stated.
The 62-year-old pointed to a statement her mother, Ethel Kennedy, released in September insisting that her husband’s killer should not be paroled and ‘should not have the opportunity to terrorize again.’
Kerry Kennedy stated that parole must be able to effectively address the nation’s mass incarceration problem while creating a more compassionate, humane, and safer system. She also noted that Sirhan is not the only inmate she feels suitable for parole.
Kerry Kennedy stated, “I believe that even though all those years in prison, the he still poses an enormous threat to public safety,” making it clear her position.
After his victory speech in South Dakota, and California 1968 Democratic presidential primaries, RFK had been shot in Los Angeles.
Kerry Kennedy’s open letter came several days after she and her brother Christopher G. Kennedy appeared on CBS Sunday Morning to advocate for Sirhan’s place behind bars.
Christopher Kennedy explained that we must be advocates for our father. He’s not there to advocate for him. He left us a legacy of the idea of duty and honour and what is expected of a family member, a nation, or a child.
Sirhan was recommended to parole on the same day that six of his nine remaining children from New York issued a statement declaring their grief at the San Diego panel ruling.
Although Kennedy’s family is largely avoiding public discussion and engagement about the death of their father and Sirhan, the recommendation by the parole board has led some Kennedy relatives to oppose Sirhan Sirhan’s parole and release.
The statement by the siblings stated that they were “in disbelief” that the man was recommended for release.
It was signed by Joseph P. Kennedy III, Courtney Kennedy Hill and Kerry Kennedy. Rory Kennedy wrote that it had ‘inflicted immense additional pain’.
Rory Kennedy wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times, titled “The Man who Murdered My Father Doesn’t Get Parole”.
Her bold words were: “As my father was taken for ever, so should Mr. Sirhan.”
The youngest daughter of RFK noted Sirhan’s refusal to take responsibility for her father’s death. “How do you show remorse and refuse to take responsibility? Rory Kennedy questioned.
Rory Kennedy claimed that the parole board had acted “without regard for justice nor consideration for rehabilitation.” Rory Kennedy also referred to the troubling idea that her father’s killer could move closer to her house, which is where her brother lives.
Ethel Kennedy (77) publicly opposed Sirhan’s parole recommendation in a statement written in weak handwriting, “He shouldn’t be paroled”
Ethel described her husband’s death as “an unspeakable loss in the inhumanity and one man.” (Pictured Robert Kennedy (left), and Ethel Kennedy(right) on their Greenwich, Connecticut wedding day on June 17, 1950.
Ethel wrote her September statement: “He should not have paroled.”
Ethel Kennedy (RFK’s widow) has publicly opposed Sirhan’s parole along with the majority of her kids.
A statement was released by the 92 year-old, which stated that Bobby believed it was important to work towards ‘taming the savageness in man and making gentle the lives of all people’.
He wanted to end Vietnam’s war and unite people in order to make the country stronger. He wanted to be a loving father and husband, more than anything.
The inhumanity shown by one man caused a terrible loss to our family and country. Although we trust in his kindness, the man should be punished for his acts of violence.
The printed statement was signed by her at the bottom.
Douglas Kennedy (54) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (67), were two of RFK’s children who supported Sirhan’s parole.
Douglas was the speaker to the panel of two people who recommended parole be granted at a virtual hearing.
He was moved to tears and said that he felt overwhelmed to be able to meet Mr. Sirhan. I’ve always lived in fear of his name and his presence in my life. He is a person worthy of love and compassion, which I’m grateful for.
FOR: Sirhan’s parole recommendation was supported by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sirhan was immediately wrestled to the ground by RFK’s security team and taken into custody after firing the fatal shot. Sirhan claims that he was drunk and didn’t remember firing the fatal shot. He never took responsibility for the murder.
Sirhan and his followers have supported conspiracies claiming his innocence.
RFK Jr. spoke in support of Sirhan’s freedom and sent a letter in which he said that he had met his father’s prisoner who ‘asked forgiveness’, according to the AP.
He previously said that Sirhan had not killed his father.
Paul Schrade worked alongside RFK, was shot the same night as Sirhan, and believes Sirhan should be allowed to go.
‘Sirhan did not shoot Robert Kennedy,’ Schrade, 96, maintains. According to NPR, “I got the first shot and the second missed Kennedy.”
He feels that the Los Angeles Police Department’s unreliable evidence of ballistics has disrupted this case. Therefore, he advocates Sirhan’s release to locate RFK’s real assassin.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (70) has not made public her opinions on Sirhan’s parole recommendation.
Robert Kennedy and Ethel have lost two of their 11 children. David Kennedy, age 28, died in 1984. Michael Kennedy, age 39 in 1997.
Senator Robert Kennedy (right) and Juan Romero, an employee of the Ambassador Hotel are pictured just moments after RFK’s shooting by Sirhan. Photographed June 5, 1968.
Robert Kennedy was walking through the kitchen of the hotel stopping to speak with supporters when he was shot (Pictured on June 5, 1968)
RFK was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and pronounced dead a day later, on June 6, 1968
RFK, the younger brother of former President John F. Kennedy served as his brother’s US Attorney General. He was later elected to the New York Senate.
RFK was only 42 when he was shot and killed at the Ambassador Hotel. After giving his victory speech in South Dakota and California, 1968 Democratic presidential primaries, the rising politician was gunned down.
The shooting was carried out in the hotel’s kitchen as RFK (and several members of his staff) made their way towards the press area. Sirhan, along with five others were also shot.
Sirhan was convicted in first-degree murder. He was sentenced to the death penalty within a year. The California Supreme Court temporarily banned capital punishment in 1972, but Sirhan was spared execution and reduced his sentence to life imprisonment with parole.
He claimed that he’d been drinking the night before the assassination, but he doesn’t remember actually pulling the trigger.
Sirhan could be released if he is not deported. He did not obtain US citizenship when he immigrated to Jordan from Israel as an infant.