Parole denied for RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan

(Image credit: Contributor via Getty Images)

published 1 March 2023

A California prison board on Wednesday denied parole for Sirhan Sirhan, the man who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.

The parole board in Sacramento felt that Sirhan "still lacks insight into what caused him to shoot" Kennedy, and had not adequately expressed his remorse for doing so, The Associated Press reports. Their decision comes even as psychiatrists have said the 78-year-old Sirhan would likely not be a danger to anyone anymore.

Sirhan was convicted of shooting and killing Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Kennedy, the brother of former President John F. Kennedy, was a U.S. senator and candidate for president that year. At the time of his death, Kennedy was the likely shoo-in for the Democratic nomination, and BBC News says "his unique political talents could have taken him to the presidency."

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Sirhan has been behind bars ever since. He has been denied parole numerous times, often refusing to take responsibility for Kennedy's death. He was finally granted parole in 2021, in part due to his advanced age. But California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) circumvented the parole board's decision and denied Sirhan's release in 2022, writing in the Los Angeles Times that "because of Sirhan's lack of insight, his release on parole would pose a threat to public safety." He also said Sirhan "remains a potent symbol of political violence."

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Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.

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