California Board of Parole Hearings Denies Parole for Sirhan Sirhan, Convicted of Assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968

On Wednesday, California’s Board of Parole Hearings denied parole for Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. The decision was made by a three-member panel, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed the news to CNN.

Sirhan, 78, has been denied parole for the past 15 times, but in August 2021, the board recommended his parole for the first time. However, Governor Gavin Newsom rescinded the recommendation in January 2022. Wednesday’s proceeding was Sirhan’s 17th parole suitability hearing.

The department cannot comment on the reasons for the board’s decision, but a copy of the hearing’s transcript will be available in a few weeks. The board’s decision means that Sirhan will not be eligible for parole for another three years.

Sirhan was convicted of murdering Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 and has been serving a life sentence in a California prison since then. He has maintained his innocence throughout the years, claiming that he was a victim of mind control.

The board’s decision has been met with mixed reactions from the public. While some believe that Sirhan should remain in prison for the rest of his life, others argue that he should be released due to his age and the fact that he has served more than 50 years in prison.