In 1968, Sirhan Sirhan assassinated Robert F Kennedy. After 53-years and  16 attempts, a two-person panel of the California Parole Board recommended his release on Friday.

The senator was running for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination when he was gunned. The gun was wrestled from Sirhan’s hand at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. And five other people were wounded. 

It had only been 5 years since the assassination of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. 

Parole board staff review will recommend or refuse Sirhan’s release within 90 days. Then it will be sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days to grant or reject the parole.

Robert F Kennedy children split on Sirhan parole 

Six of RFK’s 9 still living children submitted a letter vowing “to challenge every step of the way” the parole board’s decision. Their father’s assassin, Sirhan Sirhan has claimed for decades to have no memory of the shootings.

“We are devastated that the man who murdered our father has been recommended for parole,” the statement said. “He took our father from our family and he took him from America. We are in disbelief that this man would be recommended for release.”

It was signed by 6 Kennedys. This includes human rights attorney Kerry Kennedy, former Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II, businessman and politician Christopher G. Kennedy, a director of Pew Research Center Courtney Kennedy, attorney Maxwell T. Kennedy and documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy.

When his father was killed, novelist Douglas Kennedy was a toddler. And he along with his sibling Robert F Kennedy Jr. an attorney were both instrumental in getting Sirhan's parole recommendation.  

“I’m overwhelmed just by being able to view Mr. Sirhan face to face,” Douglas said. “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.”

His brother Robert F Kennedy Jr. also wrote a letter supporting Sirhan’s parole.

Only RFK's oldest daughter, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and his widow, Ethel Kennedy, have not spoken out publicly about the California parole board decision.

A man who was also wounded in the shooting, Paul Schrade, also was in favor of Sirhan’s release. Sirhan was originally sentenced to die.

Sirhan got the death penalty

Sirhan was originally convicted of first-degree murder. And he was sentenced to death. But in 1972 capital punishment was outlawed for a short time. And his sentence was commuted to life.

 At his last parole hearing in 2016, commissioners claimed Sirhan did not appear to show any remorse. And he didn’t understand the extreme nature of his actions in 1968.

For many years Sirhan has claimed he has no memory of the assassination and shooting rampage. His attorney, Angela Berry, said to the board that the crimes do not matter. And asked that the parole decision be based on who Sirhan is today.

“I would never put myself in jeopardy again,” Sirhan assured the parole board, “You have my pledge. I will always look to safety and peace and non-violence.”