Newsom denies parole for RFK assassin

In an op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times, Newsom noted that “Sirhan still lacks the insight that would prevent him” from making the sorts of dangerous acts that he made previously, pointing to Kennedy’s assassin shifting his story of what happened and his “current refusal to accept responsibility for it.”

“It is abundantly clear that, because of Sirhan’s lack of insight, his release on parole would pose a threat to public safety,” Newsom wrote.

Angela Berry, an attorney for Sirhan, indicated that that decision would be challenged, saying in a statement that “he serves no threat to society.”

“While I appreciate that the release of Mr. Sirhan presents Governor Newsom with a challenging political calculation, the legal decision for his release is clear and straight-forward. We are confident that the judicial review of the governor’s decision will show that the governor got it wrong,” Berry said.

It was the 16th attempt that Sirhan made at trying to receive parole after he fatally shot Kennedy at the Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel in 1968 after the presidential hopeful gave a speech following a key primary win.

“I’m overwhelmed just by being able to view Mr. Sirhan face to face,” Douglas Kennedy said during a proceeding, according to The Associated Press. “I think 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.”