Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
RFK Wife Ethel Kennedy Says Assassin Shouldn't Be Released
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 3 years ago on
September 8, 2021

Share

BOSTON — Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Robert F. Kennedy, says assassin Sirhan Sirhan should not be released from prison, further roiling a family divide over whether the man convicted of killing her husband in California in 1968 should be freed on parole.

In a brief statement released on Twitter by her daughter, lawyer and activist Kerry Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy said bluntly Tuesday: “He should not be paroled.”

“Bobby believed we should work to ‘tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of the world,’” Kennedy, 93, wrote.

“He wanted to end the war in Vietnam and bring people together to build a better, stronger country. More than anything, he wanted to be a good father and loving husband,” she wrote, adding: “Our family and our country suffered an unspeakable loss due to the inhumanity of one man. We believe in the gentleness that spared his life, but in taming his act of violence, he should not have the opportunity to terrorize again.”

Ethel Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Her statement came a week after former U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, RFK’s oldest son, also denounced the possible parole of Sirhan, 77.

Ruling to Be Reviewed Then Sent to Newsom for Final Decision

Two other RFK offspring, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Douglas Kennedy, have said they support the release.

The California Parole Board found last month that Sirhan no longer poses a threat to society, noting that he had enrolled in more than 20 programs including anger management classes, tai chi and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Sirhan has served 53 years of a life sentence.

The ruling will be reviewed over the next four months by the board’s staff. Then it will be sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will have 30 days to decide whether to grant it, reverse it or modify it.

Robert F. Kennedy was a U.S. senator from New York and the brother of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. RFK was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination when he was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after delivering a victory speech in the pivotal California primary. Five others were wounded.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

You Might Spot a Mountain Lion in California, But Attacks Like the One That Killed a Man Are Rare

DON'T MISS

California Democratic Lawmakers Seek Ways to Combat Retail Theft While Keeping Progressive Policy

DON'T MISS

California Wants to Pay Doctors More Money to See Medicaid Patients

DON'T MISS

State Farm Won’t Be There. It’s Dropping 72,000 Home Policies in California

DON'T MISS

California Tribe That Lost 90% of Land During Gold Rush to Get Site to Serve as Gateway to Redwoods

DON'T MISS

US Drops in World Happiness Rankings as Those Under 30 Report Declining Well-Being

DON'T MISS

Ohtani and Dodgers Rally to Beat Padres 5-2 in Season Opener, First MLB Game in South Korea

DON'T MISS

Top Former US Generals Say Failures of Biden Administration in Planning Drove Chaotic Fall of Kabul

DON'T MISS

Unique IndyCar All-Star Race Is This Weekend Near Palm Springs

DON'T MISS

US Defense Chief Vows Continued Aid to Ukraine, Even as Congress Is Stalled on Funding Bill

No data was found

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

17 hours ago

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

17 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

17 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

17 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

17 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

17 hours ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

18 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

18 hours ago

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

19 hours ago

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

21 hours ago

Here’s a Look at the Firm Helping Fresno Unified Select Its Next Superintendent

A consulting firm that says it is the largest of its kind is helping Fresno Unified find a new superintendent. With a $40,000 contract in ha...

25 mins ago

25 mins ago

Here’s a Look at the Firm Helping Fresno Unified Select Its Next Superintendent

PGA HOPE at Fresno's Riverside Golf Course
15 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

16 hours ago

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

17 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

17 hours ago

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

17 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

17 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

17 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend