Parole Board Urges Release Of Robert Kennedy's Assassin

California parole commissioners recommended on Friday that Sirhan B. Sirhan be freed on parole after spending more than 50 years in prison for assassinating Robert F. Kennedy during his campaign for president, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs reported for the New York Times.

Photo Insert: Artist's sketch of Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, Sirhan B. Sirhan

The recommendation from the two commissioners does not necessarily mean Sirhan, 77, will walk free, but will likely put his fate in the hands of Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is in the final stretch of campaigning before a recall election that will determine his political future.

Newsom, who is campaigning to win a recall election in California, can choose to uphold or reject the recommendation, which would free Sirhan after more than five decades. A spokeswoman for Newsom declined to say whether he would approve the recommendation, only that he would review it.

A Boston Globe report later said Sirhan secured parole after two of Kennedy’s sons spoke in favor of Sirhan’s release and prosecutors declined to argue he should be kept behind bars.

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