Sirhan Sirhan, assassin of Robert Kennedy, denied parole

[webfact]

Sirhan Sirhan, assassin of Robert Kennedy, denied parole
By ELLIOT SPAGAT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — For the 15th time, officials denied parole for Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, after hearing Wednesday from another person who was shot that night and called for Sirhan's release.

The decision came after Sirhan answered questions from the California parole panel for about three hours in a small, windowless conference room.

Commissioners concluded Sirhan did not show adequate remorse or understand the enormity of his crime.

"This crime impacted the nation, and I daresay it impacted the world," commissioner Brian Roberts said. "It was a political assassination of a viable Democratic presidential candidate."

During the hearing, the 71-year-old Sirhan stuck to his previous account that he did not remember the shooting in 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after Kennedy won the Democratic presidential primary in California.

He said he recalled being in the hotel then going to his car and returning after realizing he had too much to drink. He said he became interested in a female and they drank coffee in a hotel pantry.

"It's all vague now," Sirhan told the parole panel. "I'm sure you all have it in your records, I can't deny it or confirm it, I just wish this whole thing had never taken place."

Sirhan, a native of Jerusalem, listened intently during most of the hearing, turning testy when commissioners pressed him on his memory. He said he felt remorse for any crime victim but added that he couldn't take responsibility for the shooting.

"If you want a confession, I can't make it now," Sirhan said. "Legally speaking, I'm not guilty of anything. ... It's not that I'm making light of it. I'm responsible for being there."

Sirhan said incriminating statements he made at trial were the result of an ineffective defense attorney who pressured him into thinking he was guilty.

Paul Schrade, now 91, told the panel that he believes Sirhan shot him at the hotel but an unidentified second shooter killed Kennedy. Schrade was a Kennedy confidante who was one of five people injured in the shooting.

Schrade pleaded for the release of Sirhan at the hearing and apologized to him for not doing more over the years to secure his freedom.

Schrade's voice broke with emotion at times during his hour of testimony that recounted his efforts to unravel questions about the shooting of Kennedy.

"I forgive you for shooting me," Schrade told Sirhan. "I should have been here long ago and that's why I feel guilty for not being here to help you and to help me."

The two men faced each other for the first time since Schrade testified at Sirhan's 1969 trial. Schrade repeatedly apologized for not attending any of Sirhan's previous 14 parole hearings.

Sirhan nodded politely each time Schrade sought his forgiveness.

Schrade showed flashes of anger against Roberts, who admonished him for violating protocol by addressing Sirhan directly.

Schrade also criticized a representative of the Los Angeles County district attorney's office for making what Schrade called a "venomous" statement against the release of Sirhan.

Roberts at one point asked Schrade to wrap up his presentation, saying "quite frankly, you're losing us."

"I think you have been lost for a long time," Schrade shot back.

Earlier in the hearing, the commissioner asked if anyone wanted a break. Schrade spoke up from the audience and said, "no I want this to get over, I find it very abusive."

Sirhan told the panel that he initially didn't plan to attend the hearing but appeared at the urging of his attorneys.

If released he said he hoped he would be deported to Jordan or live with his brother in Pasadena, California.

His hope, he said, was "just to live out my life peacefully, in harmony with my fellow man."

"This is such a traumatic experience, it's a horrendous experience that for me to keep dwelling on it is harmful to me," Sirhan said.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-02-11

[Ulysses G.]

He should serve life and he will. Terrorist!

[ezzra]

The man doesn't know it yet, but he will die in jail, America will not pardon a Kennedy's killer, a sort of royalty in the US.... he might ' not remember ' what happened there, but many others in America and around the world do.....

[emilymat]

Manchurian candidate - that's what he was. They never found the girl in the polka dot dress with the guy when she ran out the back way of the hotel saying they had done it.

[freebyrd]

Couch it how you will, he took an innocent man's life. I remember the newspaper headline in the UK Daily Mirror quite vividly "Oh my God, not again!" He has had the opportunity to breathe these past 38 years, more than Bobby Kennedy did. He should NEVER be released, let him rot!

[Ulic]

He is never getting out and righty so.

[Jingthing]

Yeah.

Throw away the key.

[ThaiTony2]

Why after so many years does he continue to deny he was the one who shot Kennedy? Does he have anything to lose by lying?

[emilymat]

Why after so many years does he continue to deny he was the one who shot Kennedy? Does he have anything to lose by lying?

I've watched extensive documentaries on this subject. In fact I have a pretty extensive DVD about the investigation and alleged 'cover ups'. Now I know there are always conspiracy theories about these sorts of things.

However, and for example, when Robert Kennedy was exiting the hotel after his speech, he was not supposed to go through the kitchen area (where he was shot). It was a last minute change because of the crowds in the auditorium. So, how come this guy was conveniently there?. The were many other things that were not consistent with witness statements. The number of bullets fired etc. Also, as I said in an earlier post witnesses clearly saw a man and woman exiting the back of the kitchen after he was killed and she said 'we've done it.' (This was the polka dot dress woman.)

Essentially, the progamme suggests Sirhan Sirhan was 'programmed in some way' like the Manchurian candidate in the film, whereby they carry out some action without any recollection of doing it. There is no doubt he was there and fired the gun, but I have real belief he was not the only shooter and certainly had no realisation of what he had done, given his interview to the police just afterwards.

Like the JFK assassination etc,we'll never be sure of the truth in these matters. It's always convenient to have a lone deranged gunman carrying out these kinds of acts.

[Chicog]

Why after so many years does he continue to deny he was the one who shot Kennedy? Does he have anything to lose by lying?

Does he have anything to win by showing remorse?

The only way he's getting out is to a hospice or in a body bag I reckon.

[crowbait]

I always think it sad when judicial punishment becomes judicial vengeance. The function of the legal system in a civilised society is to protect the populace, punish the guilty and redeem the criminal. Not much hope of redemption here it would seem

[bangon04]

Did they ask Kennedy what he thought should happen?

[thaibeachlovers]

I always think it sad when judicial punishment becomes judicial vengeance. The function of the legal system in a civilised society is to protect the populace, punish the guilty and redeem the criminal. Not much hope of redemption here it would seem

The only way to really protect the innocent is to lock the guilty away for as long as possible. That's what brought the 3 strikes and you're out into being, and a good thing too. Frankly, life imprisonment should mean jail till one dies, not the irrelevant sentences really bad people serve now.