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.
