Sirhan Sirhan, Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin, was granted parole on 16th attempt on Friday after two of the former senator’s sons, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Douglas Kennedy, spoke in favor of his release. The ruling will be reviewed over the next 90 days by the California Parole Board’s staff. Then it will be sent to the governor, who will have 30 days to decide whether to grant it, reverse it or modify it.

The New York senator and brother of President John F. Kennedy was a Democratic presidential candidate when he was fatally shot on June 6, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after delivering a victory speech in the pivotal California primary.

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Following this, Sirhan was taken into custody and convicted of first-degree murder. Sirhan, who is a Christian Palestinian from Jordan, acknowledged that he was angry at RFK for his support of Israel.

After serving 53 years for the murder, the 77-year-old told members of the California Parole Board that he had learned to control his anger and was committed to living peacefully.

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When asked about how he feels about the Middle East conflict today, Sirhan broke down crying and temporarily couldn’t speak. He went onto say that he doesn’t follow what’s going on in the region but thinks about the suffering of refugees.

“The misery that those people are experiencing. It’s painful,” Sirhan said.

Sirhan got the support of RFK’s sons. Douglas Kennedy, who was a toddler when his father was killed, said he was moved to tears by Sirhan’s remorse and he should be released if he’s not a threat to others.

“I’m overwhelmed just by being able to view Mr. Sirhan face to face. I think I’ve lived my life both in fear of him and his name in one way or another. And I am grateful today to see him as a human being worthy of compassion and love,” he said, AP reported. 

With inputs from Associated Press