# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/21 "2021-08-28T00:42:42Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > The family of Robert Kennedy spoke out in favor of parole. Some of your points are good. But only a small portion of the family has said they favor parole. Family members who agree that the convict is a murderer likely would find it distasteful to get into a public disagreement with conspiracy-minded Robert Kennedy Jr. So I think it is a mistake to think “the family” is behind the release. Also, I don’t think that victim families should be put in the position of having to take responsibility for the criminal’s punishment and welfare. The government of California should do that. I very much doubt that Gavin Newsom would release the murderer of any Democratic candidate for President, killed while running, much less Robert Kennedy. Has Larry Elder said what he would do? ---
**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, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/22 "2021-08-28T00:46:19Z")
The last time the death penalty in California was on the ballot was 2016 and voters rejected banning it. California voters are an enigmatic lot. ---
**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, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/23 "2021-08-28T00:49:18Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > So I think it is a mistake to think “the family” is behind the release. Maybe. I was under the impression that Douglas H Kennedy spoke as a representative of the family in addition to Robert Jr’s well known stance. But I may be mistaken > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Also, I don’t think that victim families should be put in the position of having to take responsibility for the criminal’s punishment and welfare Agreed. But it does take some of the wind out of the cry for vengeance when the relatives are for mercy. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/24 "2021-08-28T00:54:02Z")
Was RFK destined to overcome Humphrey and Nixon? Would he ended the Vietnam War with fewer deaths? I know Sirhan was a directionless young man who attached himself to the cause of the Palestinians, but he is an unrepentant mass murderer. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/25 "2021-08-28T01:42:30Z")
How much wind does it take out when said relatives are buying into nonsensical CTs? Also, the particular muderer under discussion now has not been granted parole. The Parole Board has recommended he be paroled. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/26 "2021-08-28T01:47:03Z")
Mass murderer? AFAIK, he only murdered one person. ---
**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, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/27 "2021-08-28T01:49:29Z")
Douglas H Kennedy is not Robert Kennedy Jr, nor is the rest of the family. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/28 "2021-08-28T03:15:09Z")
I edited the title since we don’t know if he’ll get parole. The parole board recommended it, and the governor gets to decide. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/29 "2021-08-28T03:31:16Z")
Is Sirhan a foreign national? Would he automatically get deported if he is granted parole? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/30 "2021-08-28T03:32:43Z")
And Gavrilo Princip only two, one arguably manslaughter. And he was an underage first-time offender. ---
**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 28, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/31 "2021-08-28T04:19:46Z")
I"m fine with the edit even though TBH I’m not clear on whether or not Sirhan got parole. The CNN headline I linked to said Sirhan “gets parole,” and other sources have been using the same term, so I went with that. CBS Los Angeles has this headline: # [Sirhan Sirhan Granted Parole On 16th Attempt, But Release Not Guaranteed](https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/08/27/sirhan-sirhan-granted-parole/) The story says > **LOS ANGELES (CBSLA)** — Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 in Los Angeles, was granted parole Friday on his 16th attempt. [NOLO](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-does-parole-work.html) says, “In a few states, the state governor gets to review and has the chance to reverse at least some parole grants.” So technically, was Sirhan granted parole, but the governor might reverse the parole grant, or was he merely recommended for parole? Got me. Maybe one of our legal eagles can help fight my ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/32 "2021-08-28T04:51:27Z")
Old and long enough. Let him out. ---
**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, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/33 "2021-08-28T04:52:12Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Is Sirhan a foreign national? Would he automatically get deported if he is granted parole? According to Wikipedia, he is still a Jordanian citizen, although his family left that country in 1956 when he was twelve years old. At his hearing, Sirhan said he would be residing in Los Angeles with his brother if he was released. ---
**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, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/34 "2021-08-28T05:00:02Z")
He might not have a choice in the matter. Firstly he will be required to live six months in a halfway house if released. The Feds will decide if he is deported. Allegedly there are several Arab countries willing to accept him. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/35 "2021-08-28T05:09:02Z")
Chiming in to add my voice to the keep-him-locked-up-until-he-rots crowd. They should stick his head on a pike and display it publicly after he dies. (Been reading a lot of medieval history lately. Sometimes the old ways are best.) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/36 "2021-08-28T07:38:21Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Allegedly there are several Arab countries willing to accept him. I did a quick 'net search and didn’t find any information on that; all I got was directions to the current news item and to the Wiki entry. Can you link to official statements from such countries? ---
**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, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/37 "2021-08-28T07:55:08Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > So I think it is a mistake to think “the family” is behind the release. Turns out you are correct. .[https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/08/27/sirhan-parole-hearing/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/08/27/sirhan-parole-hearing/) > [@](#): > > On Friday night, six of the nine surviving Kennedy children issued a statement strongly condemning the decision, and promising to challenge it “every step of the way.” The signers were former congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-Mass.), as well as Courtney, Kerry, Chris, Maxwell and Rory Kennedy. > > We are devastated that the man who murdered our father has been recommended for parole,” the six siblings wrote. “We adamantly oppose the parole and release of Sirhan Sirhan and are shocked by a ruling that we believe ignores the standards of parole of a confessed, first-degree murderer in the state of California.” ---
**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, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/38 "2021-08-28T12:36:41Z")
ill try. I read it in an article yesterday. > **[Sirhan Sirhan, convicted of Robert F. Kennedy assassination, seeks parole...](https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/sirhan-sirhan-convicted-of-robert-f-kennedy-assassination-seeks-parole-with-no-opposition-from-prosecutors/)** > > Sirhan Sirhan was arrested at the scene of Robert F. Kennedy's fatal shooting in 1968, convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He's now 77. When he faces a California parole board on Friday, no prosecutor will oppose his... ‘Berry’s pleadings raise the possibility that Sirhan could be deported if paroled, since he did not obtain citizenship before his arrest. “He has said he would give up his right to live in this country,” Munir Sirhan said, “and go back to the Arab world. There are a number of countries who have said they would accept him.”’ ---
**Author:** ![cincinnatus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cincinnatus/32/7990_2.png) [@cincinnatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cincinnatus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/39 "2021-08-28T13:02:18Z")
If the death penalty would have stayed, parole would not be an option and he would be kept behind bars where he belongs. I don’t favor executing the death penalty, but it seems the death penalty is required to prevent parole. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645/40 "2021-08-28T14:13:52Z")
> [@cincinnatus](#): > > I don’t favor executing the death penalty, but it seems the death penalty is required to prevent parole. This varies with the state; but a great many states have the sentence option of life imprisonment without possibility of parole [although the governor (not parole board) always has the option of clemency]. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sirhan-sirhan-recommended-for-parole/949645.md?page=3)