Sirhan Sirhan is now one step closer to freedom. He was granted parole.
Sirhan received the good news on Friday. He finally got the green light for his 16th parole hearing. Sirhan was free to go as he pleased. Robert Kennedy Jr., and Douglas Kennedy were two of RFK’s children who supported parole.
Sirhan, 77, has been granted parole. However, Sirhan will be held in prison for a while longer. There are still hurdles to overcome, including a 120-day review period, and the possibility that the Governor may overrule the parole board's decision.
You may recall that RFK was assassinated in L.A. at the Ambassador Hotel on the night he won in the California Presidential Primary of 1968. Sirhan killed Kennedy in a kitchen pantry just moments after RFK declared victory.
Sirhan was subdued by Rafer Johnson, an Olympic gold medalist, and Rosey Grier (authors Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill) who disarmed him.
Sirhan was convicted and sentenced to death for murder. However, his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment three years later after the California death penalty was declared unconstitutional.
