# Sirhan Sirhan recommended for parole **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645 "2021-08-27T23:11:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/1 "2021-08-27T23:11:40Z")
> **[Board recommends parole for RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan on 16th attempt | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/27/us/sirhan-sirhan-parole-rfk-assassination/index.html)** > > Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was recommended for parole on Friday. After 53 years in prison, the 77-year-old inmate's fate is now in the hands of California's governor. ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/2 "2021-08-27T23:26:15Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/3 "2021-08-27T23:29:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/4 "2021-08-27T23:41:18Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/5 "2021-08-27T23:44:34Z")
I don’t believe premeditated murder should be parolable. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/6 "2021-08-27T23:47:34Z")
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. > **[California governor denies parole for Manson family member Leslie Van Houten...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/29/us/leslie-van-houten-charles-manson-parole-california-governor-trnd/index.html)** > > Leslie Van Houten, a Charles Manson follower convicted in a 1969 killing spree, was denied parole for a fourth time in four years on Friday. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/7 "2021-08-27T23:49:29Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/8 "2021-08-27T23:51:12Z")
Doesn’t one of the Kennedy’s have some crazy conspiracy about Sirhan Sirhan? Found it. Here we go… > **[Who killed Bobby Kennedy? His son RFK Jr. doesn’t believe it was Sirhan Sirhan.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/05/26/who-killed-bobby-kennedy-his-son-rfk-jr-doesnt-believe-it-was-sirhan-sirhan/)** > > Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the man convicted of assassinating his father on June 5, 1968, and argues, along with others, that there was a second gunman. Given his age, and the fact that the Kennedy’s aren’t blocking this, I’m not surprised he was released. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/9 "2021-08-27T23:53:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/10 "2021-08-27T23:54:44Z")
He isnt released. The parole board only recommends. The governor decides. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/11 "2021-08-27T23:55:04Z")
Good point. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/12 "2021-08-27T23:58:53Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/13 "2021-08-28T00:07:13Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/14 "2021-08-28T00:14:10Z")
My belief is that when you intentionally murder somebody you should remain in prison as long as your victim remains dead. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/15 "2021-08-28T00:16:25Z")
Neither deterrence nor vengeance has a damn thing to do with justice. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/16 "2021-08-28T00:32:12Z")
Given that Newsom is facing a recall vote, I wonder if he’s thinking about which option is favored by the electorate. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/17 "2021-08-28T00:39:19Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > There is nothing wrong with vengeance I believe that is so far from the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/18 "2021-08-28T00:40:13Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Given that Newsom is facing a recall vote, I wonder if he’s thinking about which option is favored by the electorate. 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. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/19 "2021-08-28T00:40:51Z")
No one can speak to what truth is in philosophic matters. It all boils down to opinion. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/20 "2021-08-28T00:41:49Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > I believe… Hmmm… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645.md?page=2)