A California parole board inexplicably recommended that Manson Family cult member and admitted murderer Leslie Van Houten be paroled from prison in April of this year. It’s unlikely, however, that another hearing will make a difference-Van Houten has already been denied parole 20 times. She has completed college degrees along with demonstrating exemplary behavior while imprisoned, according to the BBC.
Advertisement
Van Houten, a one-time high school cheerleader, was 19 when she joined Mansons clan and participated in the murderous rampage in 1969.
The Democratic governor said Friday that Van Houten’s “inability to explain her willing participation in such horrific violence” leads him to believe she remains an unreasonable risk to society.
Van Houten and other followers of Charles Manson were charged with killing supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary in 1969. The crimes and the trials that followed fascinated the world and became tabloid fodder.
“Gov. Brown has done a good thing here, and I think he sees what we see that this was an unrepentant killer”, said Lou Smaldino, nephew of the La Biancas. Lacey also accused Van Houten of manipulating the parole board by having a longtime friend submit a psychological assessment on her behalf.
His actions were created to trigger what he believed was an inevitable race war in America, which he referred to as “Helter Skelter” after a Beatles song he claimed contained hidden messages and directions.
Brown rejected the bail plea stating that the murder convict “currently poses an unreasonable danger to society” and thus can not be released. He’ll challenge the decision in Los Angeles Superior Court, which could result in another parole hearing within a year.
Van Houten, who has been incarcerated for 46 years, has “developed greater maturity, independence and responsibility” and has “led a pro-social lifestyle”, Brown noted in his decision.
Leslie Van Houten, a former follower of Charles Manson, during a parole hearing in 2002. She testified to stabbing Rosemary in the back at least 14 more times.
“I don’t let myself off the hook”.
The La Biancas were stabbed numerous times and the word “WAR” was carved on the stomach of Leno La Bianca.
Relatives of her victims had also opposed her release and had signed a petition backed by signatures of 140,000 people.
Manson, 81, and other followers involved in the killings are still jailed.
Three other members of the Manson Family were charged in the Tate-LaBianca murders: Susan “Sadie” Atkins died behind bars in 2009, while both Patricia Krenwinkel and Charles “Tex” Watson remain in prison after having their paroles denied.
Advertisement
Former Manson follower Bruce Davis was approved for parole but Gov. Jerry Brown blocked his release in 2014, citing the gravity of his offenses and his refusal to fully accept responsibility for his role in the murders of a stunt man and a musician.
