I don’t condone political assassins or murderers of any type.
But the guy is 77 years old. Let him out to make room for a younger murderer.
I disagree. While all murder is bad, political murder is really bad. He should have to die in prison to send a message to other would be assassins.
I envision him going to the parole hearing like Red in Shawshank ultimately did. “I don’t give a shit if you let me out or you keep me in. Yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah.”
But I guess there’s a review period, then the Governor has a say?
I don’t believe premeditated murder should be parolable.
Yeah, in California the governor has the final say. For example, Manson follower Leslie van Houten has been granted parole 4 times by the parole board but the governor has rejected their recommendation every time.
BTW, I saw Biden on the news at the White House with an RFK bust clearly visible behind him. Then I heard this news and went “Ohhhhhh.”
Doesn’t one of the Kennedy’s have some crazy conspiracy about Sirhan Sirhan? Found it. Here we go…
Given his age, and the fact that the Kennedy’s aren’t blocking this, I’m not surprised he was released.
The murder of a candidate for office is an assault on democracy itself. He should never draw a free breath, even if it’s his last.
He isnt released. The parole board only recommends. The governor decides.
Good point.
Longer and harsher sentences do not deter crime.
The certainty of being caught does act somewhat as a detterant.
No crime is more certain to be pursued to conviction as is political assassination.
Anyone attempting political assassination knows that if they make it out alive they’re going to prison.
Denying Sirhan parole would do nothing to deter any future attempts.
The only reason to deny his parole would be to satisfy the need for vengeance.
He was originally sentenced to death which was commuted to Life with possiblity of parole in 1972, because the state of CA ruled that the death penalty was against the state constitution.
He’s been eligible for parole since 1975.
This was his 16th try.
The family of Robert Kennedy spoke out in favor of parole.
And? There is nothing wrong with vengeance in cases involving murder. The Israelis hunted down and murdered the Butcher of Riga Herbert Cukurs in South America. Let Sirhan rot in prison where he belongs. Why should he be able to enjoy the beauty of a sunset when RFK cant?
My belief is that when you intentionally murder somebody you should remain in prison as long as your victim remains dead.
Neither deterrence nor vengeance has a damn thing to do with justice.
Given that Newsom is facing a recall vote, I wonder if he’s thinking about which option is favored by the electorate.
I believe that is so far from the truth.
The answer to that is that when it comes to universally condemned convicted murderers it is almost always ‘let them rot’. Doesn’t matter how blue the state is. Newsom is firmly anti-Death Penalty, but this is life imprisonment. I have no idea if he has any philosophy on a case like this. The politically safe decision for something like this would almost always be to say “no.”
If he lets him go it is because he believes strongly in rehabilitation and is willing to buck political convention. Which Newsom definitely has shown he has the cojones for (a la his actions around same sex unions). But I’d be willing to bet a shiny new penny Sirhan stays locked up.
No one can speak to what truth is in philosophic matters. It all boils down to opinion.
Hmmm…