- July 11, 2023
- Posted by: legaleseblogger
- Category: Related News
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Charles Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten Released on Parole
Leslie Van Houten, a follower of Charles Manson who was convicted in two killings, was released on parole Tuesday, according to officials.
After spending more than five decades in prison, Houten’s release finally came to fruition.
California Governor’s Change of Heart
Governor Gavin Newsom, who had previously blocked parole efforts, made a significant decision on Friday. He announced that he would not challenge Houten’s release in the state Supreme Court. This change of heart on the governor’s part paved the way for Houten’s release.
This development was a result of an appeals court ruling in May that deemed Van Houten eligible for parole, overturning Newsom’s earlier decision to reject parole.
In relation to Houten’s crimes, the statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation provided clarity. It explained that the original conviction and death sentence were reversed on appeal, resulting in a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for Houten.
A Look Back at the Crimes
In 1969, Manson and fellow cult member Charles “Tex” Watson carried out a series of brutal killings. One of these incidents involved the murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca, for which Houten was eventually convicted.
Court records reveal the disturbing details of the crime: Manson instructed Houten and another individual to go inside the couple’s home and follow Watson’s directions. Watson then ordered them to kill Rosemary La Bianca, while he personally killed Leno La Bianca.
It is important to note that the previous day, Watson and other cult members, rather than Van Houten, were responsible for the murder of actress Sharon Tate and others in her home.
The Impact on the Manson Family
Van Houten is now the second of six Manson cult followers who were convicted of murder and initially sentenced to death to be granted parole. Most of the death sentences were commuted to life in prison due to a court decision in 1972 that outlawed capital punishment. However, the death penalty was later reinstated in California.
One notable exception to the initial death sentences was Steve “Clem” Grogan, whose sentence was reduced to life in 1971 for different reasons. He was eventually paroled in 1985.
Charles Manson himself died in 2017 while serving a life sentence, and Tex Watson is currently serving life in prison. Susan Atkins passed away in prison in 2009, while Patricia Krenwinkel is still serving a life sentence.
Other individuals associated with the Manson family have been convicted but were not sentenced to death.
A Contentious Release
The release of Leslie Van Houten has been met with criticism from some corners, particularly from those who have been personally impacted by the Manson family’s crimes.
Kay Martley, a relative of one of the victims, has regularly attended parole hearings for cult members. She called Van Houten’s release a failure of the parole system, expressing disappointment with the fact that every governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger has revoked the paroles of Manson murderers.
It should be noted that Van Houten was not directly involved in the murder of Martley’s cousin, Gary Hinman. Bobby Beausoleil was convicted and is currently serving a life sentence for that particular crime.
In explaining his decision not to seek review at the state Supreme Court, Governor Newsom’s office stated that such an appeal would be unlikely to succeed.
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