Former Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten Released on Parole After 50 Years

From Manson Family to Freedom: Leslie Van Houten Granted Parole after Decades Behind Bars
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From Manson Family to Freedom: Leslie Van Houten Granted Parole after Decades Behind Bars

After spending over five decades behind bars, Leslie Van Houten, a former follower of Charles Manson who was convicted of two murders, has been released on parole, according to officials. California Governor Gavin Newsom previously blocked the 73-year-old Van Houten’s parole efforts, but he announced on Friday that he would not challenge her release in the state Supreme Court.

The decision to grant parole to Van Houten came after an appeals court ruled in May that she was eligible for release, overturning Newsom’s earlier rejection of her parole. Initially sentenced to death for her involvement in the murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca on August 10, 1969, Van Houten’s conviction and death sentence were later reversed on appeal, and she was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.

During the horrific incident in 1969, Charles Manson and fellow cult member Charles “Tex” Watson entered the La Bianca couple’s home, where they tied them up. Manson then instructed Van Houten and another individual to follow Watson’s orders inside the house. Watson ordered them to kill Rosemary LaBianca, while he killed Leno LaBianca. The day before, Watson and other cult members, excluding Van Houten, had murdered actress Sharon Tate and others in her home.

Van Houten becomes the second out of six Manson cult followers convicted of murder and initially sentenced to death to be granted parole.

Charles Manson passed away in 2017 while serving a life sentence, while Watson remains incarcerated for life. Susan Atkins died in prison in 2009, and Patricia Krenwinkel is also serving a life sentence. Although other individuals associated with the Manson family have been convicted, they were not sentenced to death.

The release of Van Houten has sparked controversy, particularly among the families of Manson’s victims. Kay Martley, 86, a relative of Gary Hinman, who was tortured and killed by Manson followers in July 1969, expressed disappointment in the parole system. Martley, who has regularly attended parole hearings, stated, “Every governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger has rescinded the paroles of the Manson murderers.” She believes that Governor Newsom’s decision to allow the judicial system to override his parole power sets a concerning precedent.

While acknowledging the victims’ families’ concerns, Governor Newsom’s office has stated that seeking further review at the state Supreme Court would unlikely succeed.

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