California's Governor Again Denies Parole for Manson Follower Longtime Inmate
The governor again refused release for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has served more than half a century in prison for her role in the 1969 murders masterminded by the cult leader.
Governor's Decision Sparks Backlash
Nearly five months after California’s parole board found the elderly suitable for release, Newsom reversed the decision and declared that the inmate “currently poses an unacceptable risk to the public if released from prison at this time.”
This marks the second instance Newsom has prevented her release, and the move was met with sharp criticism from Krenwinkel’s longtime attorney, who claimed the governor chose “politics over people” and overlooked the mistreatment she suffered from the cult figure.
“The governor's decision of Pat’s grant has nothing to do with the evidence of how much she’s changed or the risk she poses,” stated Keith Wattley, her legal counsel. “It's entirely political, in opposition to the evidence and the controlling law.”
Background of the Crimes
The inmate was twenty-one when the Manson's followers carried out the murders of actor Sharon Tate and several others, among them heiress Abigail Folger and celebrity stylist Jay Sebring, and the following night killed grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary LaBianca. By 1971, she and fellow cult members were found guilty of seven counts of murder charges for their roles in the attack.
Prison Transformation
In her decades in prison – Krenwinkel is the state's most senior female prisoner – she has reformed, supporters and attorneys have reported. She has obtained higher education and her behavior record is spotless, legal counsel said, which was one of the reasons the panel recommended her for release.
Krenwinkel has expressed remorse for her role in the crimes. Previously, she said: “I want to say how terribly sorry I am for all the pain and suffering that I created when I ended the lives that I did … I strive daily to make amends … [and] work toward self-improvement.”
Previous Mistreatment and Reform
An earlier inquiry by the authorities revealed she experienced abuse in multiple forms by the cult leader, her lawyer noted, stating that she has found her “personal identity, self-reliance, and ethical guidance”.
Other Cases
Newsom has previously denied parole for other Manson followers. Leslie Van Houten was released from state custody in recent years after over five decades when a court of appeals reversed the governor's ruling to deny her release.
