進入英語學習論壇下載音頻 去聽寫專區一展身手

Parole board members refused to free Robert F. Kennedy's convicted assassin after determining that he hadn't shown enough remorse and didn't understand the severity of a crime that was mourned by a nation four decades ago.

Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinean Christian from Jordan who is now 66, spoke at length on Wednesday and expressed sorrow, but said he doesn't remember shooting Kennedy or five other victims in the crowded kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, where Kennedy stood moments after claiming victory in the California presidential primary.

"Every day of my life, I have great remorse and deep regret," he told a panel of two parole board commissioners at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga.

Panel Chairman Mike Prizmich and Deputy Commissioner Randy Kevorkian told Sirhan he must seek further self-help courses, come to terms with the June 5, 1968, shooting and show evidence of his improvement by his next parole hearing, which would be in five years.

"The magnitude of this crime is one that a nation mourned over, and from that day on, politicians changed the way they interacted with people," Prizmich said.

He noted the impact on the Kennedy family, which had endured another tragedy five years before with the killing of President John F. Kennedy, Robert's brother.

At that point, Sirhan interjected. "That's not my responsibility," he said.

The chairman cut him off.

"In this way, interrupting me indicates a lack of control of yourself," he said.

Sirhan, with graying hair and a missing front tooth, appeared cheerful as he entered the hearing room. He was talkative, bidding the commissioners "good afternoon" - a departure from his previous 12 parole hearings, where he rarely spoke and sometimes didn't even appear.

Questions:

1. Where was Kennedy shot?

2. On what date?

3. How many other parole hearings has Sirhan had?

Answers:

1. Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles.

2. June 5, 1968.

3. 12.

去聽寫專區一展身手

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.