California Gov. Gavin Newsom has denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan, the man who assassinated Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.) in 1968.

Mr. Sirhans assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history, the Democratic governor said in a statement Thursday . After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past.

In late August, the California parole board voted to release Sirhan, 77, who has been imprisoned for 53 years. But it was up to the governor to decide whether Sirhan would get out of prison. On Thursday, Newsom reversed the parole boards decision .

Newsom had appeared resistant to the idea of granting Sirhan parole. In a September speech, after winning a recall election, Newson described Kennedy as his political hero. The governor has photos of the late senator in his office.

Kennedys family has been divided on whether Sirhan should get out on parole all these years later. Two of RFKs sons, Douglas and Robert Jr., supported releasing Sirhan. Another six of the children vehemently opposed him getting out.

In early September, RFKs widow Ethel , who is 93, said in a statement released by one of her daughters that Sirhan should not be paroled.

This year was Sirhans 16th attempt at parole, and the board found that he did not pose a threat to public safety, noting he had participated in over a dozen rehabilitative programs , including anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous.