Van Houten (72), “currently poses a unreasonable danger to society” Newsom stated in his parole review. This was the fifth rejection by a California governor of Van Houten’s release.
Rich Pfeiffer her attorney, refuted this view and stated that the court will appeal the decision. Newsom was accused of refusing parole due to his political future. He also noted Van Houten’s impeccable prison disciplinary record.
“We’re not fighting (over) Leslie being a good person. He said that she has proven this through her actions over the past half century.
Van Houten is currently serving a life sentence after helping Manson and others to kill Rosemary LaBianca, a Los Angeles grocer, and her wife, Leno, in August 1969. Van Houten, along with other members of the cult, fatally stabbed Rosemary and Leno LaBianca when she was just 19 years old.
Other Manson followers, including Van Houten and Sharon Tate, had killed Sharon Tate, a pregnant actress, the day before.
Newsom stated in his rejection letter that Van Housen had been through therapy, had earned an educational degree, and taken self-help classes at prison. He also noted that Van Housen had “increased maturity, rehabilitation.”
Newsom stated that Van Houten has “gaps of insight” which continue to make her dangerous to society.
Van Houten has been to 21 parole hearings, since 1982. Most parole boards denied her bid for freedom. Five panels recommended her release in 2016, stating that she had expressed remorse, and was not a danger to public safety.
Newsom rejected the November recommendation.
He had previously reversed parole recommendations for 2019 and 2020. Van Houten appealed the 2020 rejection to the California Supreme Court in February.
Previous Gov. Jerry Brown rejected Van Houten’s parole in 2016-2018.
Manson, who was serving a life sentence, died naturally in a California hospital.
