Manson Family Member Leslie Van Houten Granted Parole
Critics Demand California Governor Reverse the Decision
by Nancy Dillon and Christopher Brennan, NY Daily News
September 7, 2017


A member of cult leader Charles Manson's infamous "family" has been granted parole — and Sharon Tate's sister is already working to overturn it.

Leslie Van Houten, 68, was approved for parole Wednesday, with the board saying she served her time for the horrific murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca in 1969.



California Gov. Jerry Brown now has 120 days to affirm, reverse or take no action against the move to end her life sentence. Brown denied her parole last year, despite the panel saying she's been a model prisoner.


Van Houten was 19-years-old when she and other "Manson Family" members killed the La Biancas, the night after other followers of the cult's creepy leader slaughtered pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four of her friends.







Tate's sister Debra attended the Wednesday hearing and walked away unimpressed.

“She couldn't even quote a definition of remorse. That is something she should know like the back of her hand by now,” Tate told the Daily News.



She called the Manson Family “America's first domestic terrorists.”

“Their intentions were to start a race war. That's very pertinent at this point in our history. It's a very volatile time right now. We need to focus on what we all share. People like this, we can't afford to have them out in our free society,” Tate said.



She said her sister and the others killed deserve better.

“The victims were all good people. They were all better people than this one, and they don't get a parole or release or get to be with their friends and family again,” she said.



Tate hopes others will voice their opposition to Gov. Brown directly or sign her petition at NoParoleForMansonFamily.com.

Manson, 82 — who suffered a health scare earlier this year — remains confined in Corcoran State Prison.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/manson-family-member-leslie-van-houten-granted-parole-calif-article-1.3475154

Wow! This is a surprise. She has been denied parole continuously for years. I wonder if the parole will be overturned? She was fortunate to scoot by the death penalty as the death penalty was soon done away with just after her conviction. She will not be able to live out her life openly . Everybody(at least those over 50) knows who she is. What she and her "family" did was horrific and in my opinion she should stay in prison. Sure, she was very young and naive but the brutalness of her crime defies age. If they let her out will the other Manson murderers follow? I am so against this ruling. No No No!

She shouldn't even be granted parole.

Each time I think about what these brutes did to such innocent people, I say, NO WAY should she get parole. I don't care if she was "so young" when this happened. No reward for bad behavior. Her family says she has no remorse. Let her rot in prison.

This is exactly why I am so strongly in favor of the death penalty. Liberals say as a ruse, "Give them life without parole. What could be wrong with that?" Then the instant they get life without parole liberals start campaigning for parole. Liberals are ruining the United States with the help of the media, brainwashing the American public.

BREAKING NEWS: Charles Manson Cult Member is RECOMMENDED for Parole 50 years after Killing Spree
by The Associated Press
Jan. 30, 2019


A California panel on Wednesday recommended that Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten be paroled after serving more than four decades in prison.

After a hearing at the women's prison in Chino, California, commissioners of the Board of Parole Hearings found for the third time that the 69-year-old Van Houten was suitable for release.




If her case withstands a 150-day review process, it will rest in the hands of California's new Gov. Gavin Newsom. Van Houten was recommended for parole twice previously, but then-Gov. Jerry Brown blocked her release.

Van Houten was among the followers in Manson's murderous cult who stabbed to death wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, in 1969. Van Houten was 19 during the killings, which came a day after other Manson followers killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others in Los Angeles.




Tate's sister attended Wednesday's proceedings and said afterward that she vehemently disagrees with the parole recommendation.

"I just have to hope and pray that the governor comes to the right decision and keeps Van Houten behind bars," Debra Tate said. Newsom's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.




Van Houten's lawyer, Rich Pfeiffer, said he was pleased with how the commissioners focused on making sure that she took "full responsibility" for her role in the killings.

"She chose to go with Manson. She chose to listen to him. And she acknowledges that," Pfeiffer said. He predicted that it 'will be much more difficult' for Newsom to block parole than it was for Brown.




In his decision last year, Brown acknowledged Van Houten's youth at the time of the crime, her more than four decades of good behavior as a prisoner and her abuse at the hands of Manson.

But he said she still laid too much blame on Manson for the murders.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6650805/Parole-recommended-Manson-follower-Leslie-Van-Houten.html

BREAKING NEWS: Charles Manson Cult Member is RECOMMENDED for Parole 50 years after Killing Spree
by The Associated Press
Jan. 30, 2019


A California panel on Wednesday recommended that Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten be paroled after serving more than four decades in prison.

After a hearing at the women's prison in Chino, California, commissioners of the Board of Parole Hearings found for the third time that the 69-year-old Van Houten was suitable for release.




If her case withstands a 150-day review process, it will rest in the hands of California's new Gov. Gavin Newsom. Van Houten was recommended for parole twice previously, but then-Gov. Jerry Brown blocked her release.

Van Houten was among the followers in Manson's murderous cult who stabbed to death wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, in 1969. Van Houten was 19 during the killings, which came a day after other Manson followers killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others in Los Angeles.




Tate's sister attended Wednesday's proceedings and said afterward that she vehemently disagrees with the parole recommendation.

"I just have to hope and pray that the governor comes to the right decision and keeps Van Houten behind bars," Debra Tate said. Newsom's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.




Van Houten's lawyer, Rich Pfeiffer, said he was pleased with how the commissioners focused on making sure that she took "full responsibility" for her role in the killings.

"She chose to go with Manson. She chose to listen to him. And she acknowledges that," Pfeiffer said. He predicted that it 'will be much more difficult' for Newsom to block parole than it was for Brown.




In his decision last year, Brown acknowledged Van Houten's youth at the time of the crime, her more than four decades of good behavior as a prisoner and her abuse at the hands of Manson.

But he said she still laid too much blame on Manson for the murders.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6650805/Parole-recommended-Manson-follower-Leslie-Van-Houten.html

Let's hope Governor Newsom makes the right decision and denies her parole!

Parole denied!:clap:

I say in heinous cases like this, go by the family wishes. So I’m happy parole was denied. I mean really what kind of parole did the victim’s loved ones get from the horrific memories of the trial, the discovery of the crime, and the many years of trauma afterward?

This is exactly why I am so strongly in favor of the death penalty. Liberals say as a ruse, "Give them life without parole. What could be wrong with that?" Then the instant they get life without parole liberals start campaigning for parole. Liberals are ruining the United States with the help of the media, brainwashing the American public.

Yes. People like the Manson Family are one reason we need it!

Manson Family Member Leslie Van Houten Gets Parole Reinstated by Board after Newsom Blocked It; Judge Says she has “Shown Extraordinary Rehabilitative Efforts, Insight, Remorse”
by Tom Tapp
May 30, 2023


In a split ruling today, a state appeals court panel reinstated a grant of parole for former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, overturning an earlier decision by Gov. Gavin Newsom to block her release.

Tuesday’s decision does not automatically mean Van Houten will be released. The state could still appeal the ruling to the California Supreme Court. Neither the governor’s office nor the state Attorney General’s Office immediately returned a message seeking comment.

Van Houten, now 73, is serving a potential life prison sentence for taking part in the killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in their Los Feliz home more than 50 years ago.




In the 2-1 ruling by the panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal, Associate Justice Helen I. Bendix wrote, “Van Houten has shown extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and, at the time of the governor’s decision, had received four successive grants of parole.

Under these circumstances Van Houten’s unchanging historical risk factors do not provide some evidence that she is currently dangerous and unsuitable for parole,” Bendix wrote.




In a dissenting opinion, Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild concluded that “the record contains some evidence Van Houten lacked insight into the commitment offense” and found that was sufficient when “coupled with the heinous nature of that crime” to “provide some evidence of current dangerousness and support the governor’s decision.”

https://deadline.com/2023/05/manson-family-member-leslie-van-houten-parole-reinstated-1235383041/

This is exactly why I am so strongly in favor of the death penalty. Liberals say as a ruse, "Give them life without parole. What could be wrong with that?" Then the instant they get life without parole liberals start campaigning for parole. Liberals are ruining the United States with the help of the media, brainwashing the American public.

I wasn't certain where I stood on this one but now more and more I'm for the death penalty. Why should so many brutes be kept alive at our expense.

I wasn't certain where I stood on this one but now more and more I'm for the death penalty. Why should so many brutes be kept alive at our expense.


I agree!

I started a thread last year asking if Leslie Van Houten should be released and pointed out she was only 19, on drugs, under the influence of Charles Manson, has shown deep remorse for the murderers and has had DECADES of good behavior, and is in her 70's, no longer an easily led young 19 year old Teenager. I think Leslie should be paroled. She's not a danger to society anymore.

I started a thread last year asking if Leslie Van Houten should be released and pointed out she was only 19, on drugs, under the influence of Charles Manson, has shown deep remorse for the murderers and has had DECADES of good behavior, and is in her 70's, no longer an easily led young 19 year old Teenager. I think Leslie should be paroled. She's not a danger to society anymore.


I see your point but had the death penalty not been rescinded she and other murderers wouldn't be here right now. And I believe that would have saved the taxpayers from feeding and housing the monsters for years. She is fortunate to be alive. But once on the outside when discovered who she is she couldn't possibly have any kind of peaceful existance or worse scenerio, being murdered. So would parole be good for her?:confused:

California Governor Newsom Says he won’t Interfere with Leslie Van Houten's Release
by Bruce Haring
July 8, 2023


California Governor Gavin Newsom said Friday that he won’t ask the state Supreme Court to block parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten.

The governor’s office said it was unlikely that the state’s high court would consider an appeal of a lower court ruling that Van Houten should be released.



Van Houten, now 73, was serving a life sentence. She could be freed in two weeks fom the California Institution for Women in Corona, her attorney, Nancy Tetreault, said.

She was recommended for parole five times since 2016, but Newsom and former Gov. Jerry Brown rejected all those recommendations.



Should she be released, Van Houten will be sent to a halfway house to learn basic life skills.

“She’s been in prison for 53 years. … She just needs to learn how to use an ATM machine, let alone a cell phone, let alone a computer,” her attorney said.





However, not everyone supports her release.

Cory LaBianca, Leno LaBianca’s daughter, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Friday, “For more than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims’ families still feel the impact. My family and I are heartbroken because we’re once again reminded of all the years that we have not had my father and my stepmother with us.

My children and my grandchildren never got an opportunity to get to know either of them, which has been a huge void for my family.”

https://deadline.com/2023/07/california-governor-said-he-wont-interfere-release-charles-manson-gang-killer-leslie-van-houten-1235432341/

https://people.com/former-manson-follower-leslie-van-houten-released-from-prison-7559472?hid=f49d09c6a23b1e54ae5d04d6012686b1d8b43b1e&did=9656728-20230


Patricia Krenwinkel next!?:mad::eek:

https://people.com/former-manson-follower-leslie-van-houten-released-from-prison-7559472?hid=f49d09c6a23b1e54ae5d04d6012686b1d8b43b1e&did=9656728-20230


Patricia Krenwinkel next!?:mad::eek:

OMG NO !! She was MAJORLY involved in both nights of murder. Her and Tex Watson will never be released ! And Susan Atkins and Charlie of course died in prison, but had they not they wouldn't ever had been released. I dought Bobby Beausalais (sp.) will ever be either . Clem ( Steve Grogan) has been out sinse 1985!!:eek: And Bruce Davis, not that I'm advocating for him or anything, but what exactly did he do? They think he had a hand in Shorty Shea's murder, but not sure if it was proven? And he came to Gary Hinman's with Charlie when Charlie sliced his ear off. So I guess an accomplice to that? But it was Bobby and Susan who killed Gary. Very sad and horrific being he was their friend .:(

The whole thing is sad and horrific:( , but the other people murdered weren't people they knew . Where as Gary was friends with them and opened his home and invited them in thinking they were there for a visit ! :eek:

But regarding Leslie, she wasn't in on the Tate murder , and Pat and Tex were far more violent than her in the LaBianca murders. Again not advocating for her, but that is why she got released and Pat and Tex never will. They were REALLY BRUTAL, both nights ! :mad::eek::(

I'm surprised I haven't seen any dark jokes saying something like,"Charles Manson will be burning in hell before Leslie Van Houten gets paroled! ":eek::lol:

I was born in 1967 so I have grown up watching Charles Manson in movies (the Original Heltwr Skelter movie was very well made). I have watched Charles Manson on YouTube a lot because he is fascinating and he does sometimes say some intelligent things through all the gibberish.

For me, Van Houten was brainwashed and in prison has come to her senses. I have seen several interviews with her and she was a beautiful woman who was very articulate. But, she and her gang invaded the home of a middle aged couple for absolutely no reason, tied them up and murdered them by stabbing one by one with the second victim listening to the first victim die. I believe in Capital Punishment and she and her gang should have been executed. In the 1950’s into the 1960’s, California was like Texas now, if you are sentenced to death, you are going to be executed.

Do I think she is remoreful? Yes! I think she is probably the nicest person one could meet. No matter, she did what she did. She needs to stay in prison.

What is for her on the outside？She is elderly and has never paid into Social Security at all. I take it she has friends and supporters and she does have a place to stay. I think regardless, it would be fascinating to see this person, who has been in jail since 1969 navigate the World now. I would like to see her use the internet for the first time.

I probably can see the Menendez Brothees going “If she can get off, so should we!”

I was born in 1967 so I have grown up watching Charles Manson in movies (the Original Heltwr Skelter movie was very well made). I have watched Charles Manson on YouTube a lot because he is fascinating and he does sometimes say some intelligent things through all the gibberish.

For me, Van Houten was brainwashed and in prison has come to her senses. I have seen several interviews with her and she was a beautiful woman who was very articulate. But, she and her gang invaded the home of a middle aged couple for absolutely no reason, tied them up and murdered them by stabbing one by one with the second victim listening to the first victim die. I believe in Capital Punishment and she and her gang should have been executed. In the 1950’s into the 1960’s, California was like Texas now, if you are sentenced to death, you are going to be executed.

Do I think she is remoreful? Yes! I think she is probably the nicest person one could meet. No matter, she did what she did. She needs to stay in prison.

What is for her on the outside？She is elderly and has never paid into Social Security at all. I take it she has friends and supporters and she does have a place to stay. I think regardless, it would be fascinating to see this person, who has been in jail since 1969 navigate the World now. I would like to see her use the internet for the first time.

I probably can see the Menendez Brothees going “If she can get off, so should we!”

Yong Fang, I said something similar about Leslie only being 19 and under the influence of drugs and Charles Manson when she committed the murders and has shown remorse after she got away from the influence of Charles Manson and drugs and got older. At 19 and on drugs and having an Older Man controlling your mind, a LOT of 19 year olds would have done the same thing.

In fact, Aaron Guerrero was just a year younger than Leslie was and was on drugs when he and Sierra Halseth murdered her Dad, Daniel Halseth. They had no remorse, giggling after Daniel's Murder. At their sentencing, they both had somber expressions. Daniel admitted he was high on LSD when they did the murder and implied he wouldn't have did the murder if he were clean. It was speculated that Sierra was high too. Away from the drugs,they came to terms about how badly they messed up and would be spending about 22 years in prison. Leslie was shown smiling at her trial, but in Parole hearings, she has somber expressions. I pointed out that at 73, she is no longer an easily influenced 19 year old, but an elderly woman now.

What year did Leslie start her jail sentence?

The murders weren't solved until Dec 1969 when Susan Atkins bragged to a cell mate about them. Atkins at that time she was in jail for something else.

The murderers who weren't already in a jail, when did they go in? Did they go in Dec 1969 or at another date?

What year did Leslie start her jail sentence?

The murders weren't solved until Dec 1969 when Susan Atkins bragged to a cell mate about them. Atkins at that time she was in jail for something else.

The murderers who weren't already in a jail, when did they go in? Did they go in Dec 1969 or at another date?

Hmm. I wonder if Susan hadn't bragged about the Murders if the Murders would STILL be unsolved today and none of his followers would be caught for the murders.

Liberal insanity

If my (hypothetical) relative's murderer were let out of jail, they'd only get about ten feet before they suffered from acute lead poisoning. Then I'd use the same asinine judicial system to get away with it.

Interview with Debra Tate commenting on Leslie's parole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knjihz7xCcs

Wow! Get convicted of murder and 50 years in prison and get a Master's degree! What a deal!:rolleyes::mad:

Adding something else to Susan Atkins bragging and that is Linda Kasabian's testimony. Linda Kasabian was the driver since she was the only one with a valid driver's licence.

I need to do some more research to connect some dots. Since this thread in about Leslie Van Houten, I'm guessing it might have been Kasabian's testimony that put Leslie in jail. Susan Atkins bragging was for sure about night 1 of the murders, but I don't know if she was there on night 2.