Sirhan Sirhan, Robert F. Kennedy’s Killer, Recommended For Parole

Sirhan Sirhan, who was convicted of murdering Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was recommended for parole after prosecutors dropped their opposition.

George Gascón, who is a Los Angeles County district attorney, revealed earlier that his team would not fight to keep Sirhan behind bars at the hearing. This is Sirhan’s 16th parole hearing, and the first in which prosecutors will not move to keep him in jail.

“I can get very emotionally wrapped around my personal feelings (about) someone that killed someone that I thought could have been an incredible president for this country,” Gascón explained.

Alex Bastian, an official in the DA’s office, explained that the parole authorities had all the resources they need to make a decision on Sirhan’s release.

“If someone is the same person that committed an atrocious crime, that person will correctly not be found suitable for release. However, if someone is no longer a threat to public safety after having served more than 50 years in prison, then the parole board may recommend release based on an objective determination,” Bastian stated. “Our office policies take these principles into account and as such, our prosecutors stay out of the parole board hearing process.”

Sirhan’s hearing was administered by a parole board consisting of two individuals. This verdict can be reviewed for up to 90 days after it is reached.

Sirhan is a Palestinian national who is currently 77 years old. He was convicted for the murder of Sen. Kennedy, which took place on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Sirhan was originally sentenced to death in April of 1969. He ended up serving a life sentence in prison after California outlawed the death penalty.