Sirhan Sirhan, the man who murdered Senator Robert F. Kennedy in a crowded hotel kitchen in 1968, was granted parole on Friday after two of the dynastic Democrat’s sons spoke out in his favor.

Before the infamous convict, 77, can be released on his 16th attempt, the judgment from a panel of the California Parole Board must clear two additional barriers.

The decision must first go through a 90-day internal board review before being authorized by the governor, who is the final arbitrator in the case.

Douglas Kennedy, RFK’s youngest son, gave a moving remark during the virtual Friday hearing, saying he was affected by Sirhan’s regrets.

“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.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Douglas’ older brother, who had earlier spoken out in support of Sirhan’s appeal, also wrote to the parole board in favor of his release. In a statement released Friday night, six of RFK’s other children slammed the decision.

“Sirhan Sirhan committed a crime against our nation and its people. He took our father from our family and he took him from America,” the RFK’s six children – by Joseph, Courtney, Kerry, Christopher, Maxwell, and Rory – said.

The six Kennedys who spoke out against Sirhan’s release asked the whole parole board and Governor Gavin Newsom to overturn the recommendation and keep him behind bars.

Their father was murdered down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles soon after midnight on June 5, 1968, after making a victory speech for the California primary. He was the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy and a New York U.S. senator at the time of his death.

Sirhan, who claims he has no recollection of the assassination, fired three shots into the famous politician, resulting in a chaotic scene that was immortalized in a photograph.