The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that Leslie Van Houten, now 73 years old, has been granted parole and is now under parole supervision.
Leslie Van Houten, a follower of Charles Manson, has been released from a California prison after serving 53 years of a life sentence for her involvement in two notorious murders
Governor Gavin Newsom chose not to challenge a state appeals court decision supporting Leslie Van Houten’s parole. Leslie Van Houten’s release follows a parole hearing in July 2020 where she was found suitable for release, but her parole was initially blocked by Newsom, who considered her a continuing threat to society.
Leslie Van Houten was initially sentenced to death for her participation in the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary, carried out by Manson’s followers. However, her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment when the death penalty was overturned in California in 1972.
After her release from prison, Leslie Van Houten was taken to transitional housing. Her attorney, Nancy Tetreault, stated that Leslie Van Houten is still adjusting to the reality of her release. She will spend approximately a year in a halfway house, adapting to the vast technological changes that have occurred since her incarceration.
During her time in prison, Leslie Van Houten obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in counseling and worked as a tutor for other inmates. She intends to find employment as soon as possible.
The court of appeal that granted Leslie Van Houten’s parole criticized Newsom’s reasoning for denying her release, stating that there was no evidence to support his conclusions
The judges acknowledged Leslie Van Houten’s extensive rehabilitative efforts, remorse, parole plans, and support from family and friends.
Leslie Van Houten’s release has stirred emotions among the families of the victims. Cory LaBianca, daughter of Leno LaBianca, expressed heartbreak over the possibility of Leslie Van Houten’s freedom.
Charles Manson, the manipulative cult leader, died in prison in 2017, while other followers, such as Charles “Tex” Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, have been repeatedly denied parole. Susan Atkins, another Manson follower, passed away in prison in 2009.
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