California's Governor Blocks Early Release for Manson Follower Longtime Inmate
The governor has once more rejected parole for the convicted inmate, who has spent over half a century behind bars for her involvement in the 1969 murders orchestrated by Charles Manson.
Parole Reversal Draws Criticism
Months after California’s parole board deemed the 77-year-old suitable for freedom, the governor reversed the decision and declared that the inmate “currently poses an unacceptable risk to the public if freed from prison at this time.”
It was the second time the governor has blocked her parole, and the decision was met with strong opposition from her legal representative, who argued the governor opted for “political motives over human considerations” and overlooked the mistreatment she endured from Manson.
“The governor's decision of her parole approval has no connection to the record of her transformation or the danger she poses,” stated her attorney, Krenwinkel’s attorney. “It's entirely political, in opposition to the evidence and the governing regulations.”
Background of the Crimes
Krenwinkel was twenty-one when the Manson's followers carried out the murders of actor Sharon Tate and several others, including heiress Abigail Folger and hairstylist Jay Sebring, and the following night killed Leno LaBianca and his spouse, Rosemary LaBianca. In 1971, she and other Manson followers were found guilty of seven counts of murder charges for their roles in the attack.
Prison Transformation
In her decades behind bars – Krenwinkel is the state's most senior female prisoner – she has reformed, friends and her legal team stated. Krenwinkel has earned college degrees and her conduct is spotless, legal counsel noted, which was a key factor the panel recommended her for release.
The inmate has shown regret for her role in the offenses. In 2022, she stated: “I want to say my deep regret I am for all the pain and suffering that I created when I took the lives that I did … I strive daily to make amends … [and] focus on being a better person.”
Past Abuse and Rehabilitation
An earlier inquiry by the parole board revealed she experienced abuse in multiple forms by the cult leader, her attorney said in a statement, stating that she has found her “own identity, self-reliance, and ethical guidance”.
Similar Instances
Newsom has previously denied release for other former cult members. Another follower was freed from California prison in recent years after over five decades when a court of appeals overturned the governor’s decision to block her parole.
