Gavin Newsom Blocks Early Release for Manson Follower Longtime Inmate
The governor has once more refused parole for the convicted inmate, who has spent more than half a century in prison for her involvement in the 1969 murders orchestrated by Charles Manson.
Governor's Decision Draws Criticism
Months after the state parole panel deemed the elderly fit for release, the governor overturned the ruling and stated that the inmate “currently poses an unacceptable risk to society if released from custody at this time.”
It was the second time the governor has prevented her parole, and the decision was met with sharp criticism from her legal representative, who argued the governor chose “politics over people” and failed to consider the mistreatment she suffered from the cult figure.
“The governor's decision of Pat’s grant has nothing to do with the record of how much she’s changed or the danger she presents,” said Keith Wattley, her legal counsel. “It's entirely political, in opposition to the evidence and the governing regulations.”
Background of the Crimes
The inmate was 21 when the Manson's followers carried out the murders of actor Sharon Tate and several others, among them socialite Abigail Folger and hairstylist Jay Sebring, and the following night murdered Leno LaBianca and his spouse, Rosemary LaBianca. By 1971, she and other Manson followers were convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder for their roles in the attack.
Life Behind Bars
In her decades in prison – she is the state's most senior incarcerated woman – she has turned her life around, friends and her legal team stated. Krenwinkel has earned college degrees and her behavior record is spotless, legal counsel noted, which was one of the reasons the parole board supported her parole.
The inmate has expressed remorse for her actions in the crimes. Previously, she stated: “I wish to express my deep regret I am for the harm and anguish that I caused when I ended the lives that I did … I try every day to live amends … [and] focus on being a better person.”
Past Abuse and Reform
A 2017 investigation by the authorities revealed she endured physical, emotional and sexual violence by the cult leader, her lawyer said in a statement, adding that she has found her “personal identity, self-reliance, and ethical guidance”.
Other Cases
The governor has previously blocked parole for other former cult members. Leslie Van Houten was freed from state custody in 2023 after 53 years when a state appeals court reversed the governor's ruling to block her parole.
