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San Francisco Chronicle
04-06-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
How a 77-year-old Manson follower has Newsom in familiar bind
Once again, a state parole board has found one of cult leader Charles Manson's followers – Patricia Krenwinkel – suitable for release after more than 56 years behind bars for her role in seven 1969 murders. And once again, Gov. Gavin Newsom must decide whether there is any evidence that Krenwinkel, 77, would pose any danger if released – and whether a decision to free her would affect his political future. The Board of Parole Hearings, whose members were appointed by the governor, voted Friday to grant parole to Krenwinkel, the state's longest-serving female prisoner. The board had ruled against her 14 times before recommending parole in 2022, but Newsom vetoed her release, saying she had not shown 'sufficient insight' into her crimes. The governor gave a similar explanation in 2022 for vetoing the parole of another Manson follower, Leslie Van Houten, whose release had been approved five times by the parole board since 2016 but blocked each time by Govs. Jerry Brown and Newsom. But a state appeals court ruled in 2023 that Newsom had failed to justify his conclusions that Van Houten, 73, lacked sufficient understanding of her actions and could still be dangerous after 54 years in prison. She was freed after the governor decided not to appeal the ruling. 'The only factor that can explain this veto (of Van Houten's parole) is political optics, and California law does not allow governors to veto people's parole because it will look bad,' said Hadar Aviram, a professor at UC College of the Law San Francisco and author of the 2020 book 'Yesterday's Monsters: The Manson Family Cases and the Illusion of Parole.' And she said the same thinking will most likely affect Newsom's upcoming decision on Krenwinkel, once the parole board's decision becomes final in 120 days. 'What does he think people have an appetite for in this political reality?' Aviram asked, noting California voters' approval last November of Proposition 36, which increased some sentences for drug crimes. 'It costs him nothing to oppose (her release). In the worst-case scenario, the court overrules him again and she gets out.' Manson ordered seven of his followers, including the 21-year-old Krenwinkel and two other young women, to kill nine people in three gruesome attacks in the Benedict Canyon area of Los Angeles in July and August 1969. During her trial, Krenwinkel admitted chasing Abigail Folger, heiress of the Folger coffee family, and stabbing her 25 times in the home of actress Sharon Tate, another murder victim, and then helping to kill grocery store executive Leno Bianca and his wife, Rosemary, and using their blood to scrawl 'Death to pigs' on a wall. Convicted of seven murders, Krenwinkel was sentenced to death along with Manson and three others in 1971. But the sentences were reduced to life with the possibility of parole after the California Supreme Court overturned the state's death penalty law in 1972. The voters passed a new law in 1977 making capital crimes punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole, but those sentenced under the earlier law, including Krenwinkel, remained eligible for parole. Another ballot measure, approved by the voters in 1988, authorized the governor to veto decisions by the parole board. In prison, Krenwinkel has a clean disciplinary record, earned a college degree and has taken part in community-service programs, working to support other inmates with mental illnesses. At her 2022 parole hearing, she said that after dropping out of school and becoming an infatuated member of Manson's so-called family at age 19, 'I allowed myself to just start absolutely becoming devoid of any form of morality or real ethics.' In a statement released by Krenwinkel's lawyers, Jane Dorotik, a former inmate and now part of the support group California Coalition for Women Prisoners, said, 'Those of us who served time with her came to know her as a thoughtful, gentle, and kind person – someone deeply dedicated to creating a safe, caring environment.' Relatives of the murder victims have not been persuaded. 'I beg the board to consider parole for Patricia Krenwinkel only when her victims are paroled from their graves,' Anthony Demaria, a nephew of victim Jay Sebring, testified at one of her hearings. And Patrick Sequeira, a prosecutor in the murder cases, told the board that if Krenwinkel 'truly understood her crimes and the horrific nature of it, she wouldn't be here at a parole hearing. She would just accept a punishment.' Not so, said her lead attorney, Keith Wattley, executive director of UnCommon Law, an Oakland-based firm that represents inmates seeking parole. 'Pat has fully accepted responsibility for everything she did, everything she contributed to, every twisted philosophy she embraced and endorsed and, most importantly, every life she destroyed by her actions in 1969,' Wattley said in a statement after the board's latest decision. 'Now it's the Governor's turn to show that he believes in law and order when the law requires a person's release despite public outcry.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Second Member of the Manson Family Was Recommended for Parole
A Second Member of the Manson Family Was Recommended for Parole - Again originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel, 77, who was among the people convicted of a murderous rampage that left seven Angelenos dead in the summer of 1969, could be released on parole upon the recommendation the California parole 77, the state's longest-serving female inmate, could become the the second member of the notoriously violent killer cult that went on a bloody crime spree that terrorized Los Angeles to be released, something that is being vehemently opposed by her victims' family members. She was convicted in the brutal slaying of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, a grocery store owner and his wife whose grisly deaths bookended the infamous Manson Family rampage that took that also took the life of actress Sharon Tate (pregnant at the time with Roman Polanski's baby) as well as celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring; coffee heiress Abigail Folger; Folger's boyfriend, Wojciech Frykowski; and Steven Parent, a friend of the estate's sister Debra described Kreneinkel's actions in the slayings, how she personally carved the word "WAR" into Leno LaBianca's belly with a carving knife and decorated the walls of his family's home with political messages like "Death to Pigs" written in the blood of her victims in a petition. "She has admitted that was not a direct order from Charles Manson or anyone else- it was her own idea," Tate wrote in the petition that urges California residents to demand that Governor Gavin Newsom keep Krenwinkel, now known as prisoner CDC# W-0831, behind bars. "For years this woman laughed about the murders in court and showed absolutely no remorse at all. She admits she was not on drugs the nights of the murders and committed them to ignite a race war." Those murders came just one night after Manson Family members Krenwinkel, then 21, along with Charles 'Tex' Watson, Susan Atkins, and Linda Kasabian killed Tate and the others in a house on Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon. Krenwinkel testified that she chased Folger down and stabbed her so many times her hand throbbed. The governor noted in his parole reversal that "Krenwinkel or one or more of her crime partners tied ropes around the necks of Mr. Sebring and Ms. Tate and her two crime partners stabbed them repeatedly, killing them. Ms. Tate was eight months pregnant when she was killed. The group wrote 'pig' in blood on the front door before fleeing," Newsom wrote. Manson, the governor noted, told Krenwinkel to do something 'witchy,' so she used blood to write 'Death to Pigs,' 'Rise,' and 'Healter [sic] Skelter' on the walls. The bodies and the grisly scene were found by the victims' son. Krenwinkel was granted parole on May 26, 2022, but the decision was reversed by Newsom on October 14, 2022, citing her horrific crimes and the continued threat she would pose to society if released. In all, the Parole Board has conducted 16 hearings for Krenwinkel since she became eligible for parole in 1977 after her death penalty sentence was deemed unconstitutional. But the elderly murderer might have a better chance at release now that her former Manson family sister is out on the streets. Her attorney, Keith Wattley told Los Angeles in a statement that his client "is living proof of both redemption and rehabilitation." Wattley said that she has spent 56 years in prison without "a single disciplinary infraction," and insists nine psychological evaluations suggest she is not longer a danger. to society." In July 2023, to the surprise of virtually everyone, her fellow Manson family follower Leslie Van Houten, one of the most notorious killers in the history of Southern California, a woman who for the past five decades has been known as prisoner number W-13378 was released. Van Houten was not at the Tate murders, but joined the gang for a second round of mayhem, this time in Los Feliz, where cult leader Charles Manson randomly chose the LaBiancas as their next victims. According to court records, Watson attacked Leno LaBianca with a bayonet, the two women went after his wife, Rosemary. Van Houten pulled a pillowcase over her head and wrapped a lamp cord around her neck while Krenwinkel plunged a knife so deep into her collarbone that it bent the died in prison in 2009. Manson died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83. Watson, 79, remains in a prison in Los Angeles County. Kasbian, who became the prosecution's lead witness and testified against Manson, died in 2023. It remains unclear where Van Houten is living now. The most recent recommendation by the Parole Board is not a done deal for Krenwinkel. The board's legal division has up to 120 days to finalize the decision, and then Newsom has 30 days to review and potentially reverse it. His office has not commented on the recommendation. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Former Charles Manson Follower Was Just Recommended for Parole
Former Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel was recommended for parole on Friday, May 30 She was convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Earl Parent, Jay Sebring, Leno LaBianca and Rosemary LaBianca "Pat has fully accepted responsibility for everything she did, everything she contributed to, every twisted philosophy she embraced and endorsed and, most importantly, every life she destroyed by her actions in 1969," Keith Wattley, Patricia Krenwinkel's parole attorney, saidPatricia Krenwinkel, a one-time follower of cult leader Charles Manson, was recommended for parole on Friday, May 30. The California state parole board found Krenwinkel's risk of reoffending to be low, according to CBS. "This decision does not minimize or forgive the criminal conduct or the loss your victims and their families have suffered," Commissioner Gilbert Infante said, per CBS8. "At the time of these crimes, you exhibited all the hallmark features of youth. When we look at subsequent growth, you have made strides, and this is evidenced in the work you have done." The panel's decision must now be reviewed by the Board of Parole Hearings and then Governor Gavin Newsom, which can take up to 150 days. Krenwinkel was 21 when she and Manson's followers went on a two-day murder spree killing pregnant actor Sharon Tate, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Earl Parent and Jay Sebring in August 1969 — as well as grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, the next night in what prosecutors called Manson's attempt to start a race war. Krenwinkel, now 77, testified that she stabbed Folger 28 times, per the New York Times. She later helped kill the LaBiancas the following night and wrote in blood on the walls, 'Death to Pigs,' according to the Times. She was convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder in April 1971 and sentenced to death. She was resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 1972 after the death penalty in California was deemed unconstitutional. Krenwinkel, the longest-serving female inmate in the California prison system, first became eligible for parole in 1976. She has had 16 appearances before the state parole board. In 2022, Newsom overruled the recommendation by the Board of Parole Hearings for her release after citing that Krenwinkel still posed 'an unreasonable danger to society if paroled at this time.""Ms. Krenwinkel fully accepted Mr. Manson's racist, apocalyptical ideologies," Newsom said, per The Associated Press. "Ms. Krenwinkel was not only a victim of Mr. Manson's abuse. She was also a significant contributor to the violence and tragedy that became the Manson Family's legacy." Jay Sebring's nephew Anthony DiMaria spoke out at Friday's hearing. "Patricia Krenwinkel is not a follower, nor is she a victim," said DiMaria, according to CBS8. "She is a cold-blooded killer of eight people. The more accurate number is eight, as I include the murder of Tate's unborn son. Krenwinkel obliterated the rights of all of her victims. Charles Manson did not write Helter Skelter in blood. Patricia Krenwinkel did. She is the author of blood-smeared messages that terrified the world. Parole Patricia Krenwinkel once her victims are paroled from their graves." Keith Wattley, Krenwinkel's parole attorney, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that the inmate should be released. "After 56-and-a-half years of incarceration with no rule violations, with substantial change in who she is, and with the last nine psychological evaluators over the past 40 years agreeing that Pat is no longer a risk, it's time to make the possibility of parole a reality," he said. "Pat has fully accepted responsibility for everything she did, everything she contributed to, every twisted philosophy she embraced and endorsed and, most importantly, every life she destroyed by her actions in 1969," Wattley continued. "Pat has participated in extensive therapy and group counseling to address her experiences as both a perpetrator and survivor of violence, allowing her to understand how she was able to cause this tragedy and helping others along their own healing journeys. This case also shows what happens when we don't officially offer any healing-focused alternative to survivors of violent crime. Pat and I wish them peace, if they can ever experience it after the harm she caused." In response to the recommendation, Sharon Tate's sister, Debra, has started a petition to keep Krenwinkel from getting parole. "Society cannot allow this serial killer who committed such horrible, gruesome, random killings back out," she wrote. "I am asking for your help by letting the parole board know that you do not want to see her get released by signing this petition." It has gained 116,790 signatures as of Monday morning. Manson died in prison in 2017. Read the original article on People
New York Post
02-06-2025
- New York Post
Manson family killer Patricia Krenwinkel recommended for parole 56 years after infamous murders
One of Charles Manson's accomplices has been recommended for parole after serving decades in prison for her role in the 1969 murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in California. A state parole board has again recommended the release of Patricia Krenwinkel, who is the longest-serving female inmate in the state. Advertisement At 77, Krenwinkel is still serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Women for her role in one of America's most notorious killing sprees. She was convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder in 1971. 4 A state parole board has again recommended the release of Patricia Krenwinkel. AP Krenwinkel was just 19 years old when she abandoned her life as a secretary in California to follow Charles Manson, the charismatic cult leader who has since transformed into one of history's darkest and most mysterious figures. Advertisement Drawn in by promises of love and spiritual enlightenment, Krenwinkel instead became a key figure in one of the most infamous crimes in American history. Krenwinkel personally stabbed heiress Abigail Folger multiple times and then participated in the murders of grocery store owners Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, writing 'Helter Skelter' and other phrases on the walls in the victims' blood. Convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder, Krenwinkel was originally sentenced to death. 4 Krenwinkel is the longest-serving female inmate in California. AP Advertisement But in 1972, her sentence was commuted to life in prison after California briefly abolished the death penalty. She has been incarcerated ever since. Over the years, Krenwinkel has expressed remorse and described years of psychological abuse at Manson's hands. She has stated she was under the influence of drugs and fear throughout her time in the cult. Nonetheless, her parole efforts have been repeatedly denied, with authorities citing the severity of her crimes. Advertisement In May 2022, Krenwinkel was recommended for parole for the first time, but the decision was reversed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Her most recent recommendation in 2024 now awaits approval, reigniting debate over justice, rehabilitation, and the enduring legacy of the Manson Family. 4 Charles Mason died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83. The recommendation came on Friday and must still pass several hurdles before being confirmed. It requires final approval from the full Board of Parole Hearings and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who denied a similar parole recommendation in 2022. That review process can take up to 150 days. According to state prison officials, she had previously been denied parole 14 times. Charles Mason died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83. Manson, whose name to this day is synonymous with unspeakable violence and madness, died of natural causes at Kern County hospital, according to a California Department of Corrections statement. Advertisement Manson — who exerted a form of mind control over his mainly female followers — had been in prison for four decades. In the 1960s, he surrounded himself with runaways and disaffected youths and then sent them out to butcher members of Hollywood's elite. 4 Over the years, Krenwinkel has expressed remorse and described years of psychological abuse at Manson's hands. Bettmann Archive Prosecutors said Manson and his followers were trying to incite a race war he dubbed Helter Skelter, taken from the Beatles song of the same name. The Polanski house in Beverly Hills was targeted because it represented Manson's rejection by the celebrity world and society, according to one of the Family member's statements. Advertisement Manson considered himself the harbinger of doom regarding the planet's future. He was influenced not only by drugs such as LSD, but by art works and music of the time such as The Beatles song, Helter Skelter, from their White Album. He often spoke to members of his 'Family' about Helter Skelter, which he believed signified an impending apocalyptic race war. Advertisement He preached that the black man would rise up and start killing members of the white establishment, turning the cities into an inferno of racial revenge. Manson also had a strong belief in the notion of Armageddon from the Book of Revelations and looked into obscure cult churches such as the Church of the Final Judgement. His life continues to be a point of interest several decades after his macabre dealings in 1960s California.
NBC News
01-06-2025
- NBC News
Former Charles Manson follower is recommended for parole
A California state parole board recommended parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, a follower of the cult leader Charles Manson, on Friday for the second time. The decision will now have to be approved by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who denied Krenwinkel's first parole recommendation. The governor's review process can take up to 150 days following a parole hearing. The 77-year-old is serving a life sentence in the California Institution for Women for her role in the killings of pregnant actor Sharon Tate and four others in August 1969, as well as grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, the following night in what prosecutors have called Manson's attempt to start a race war. Krenwinkel was recommended for parole for the first time in May 2022, but Newsom denied clemency five months later, according to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate records. She was previously denied parole 14 times before then. Krenwinkel was 19 and working as a secretary when she met a 33-year-old Manson at a party, leaving her life behind to follow him because she believed they could have a romantic relationship, she said in 2016 testimony. Instead, she was abused by Manson and tried to flee, but was brought back each time and was often under the influence of drugs. Krenwinkel admitted to stabbing an heiress to a coffee fortune, Abigail Folger, multiple times on the night of Aug. 9, 1969, as well as participating in the killings of the LaBiancas the following night. During the LaBianca murders, she infamously wrote 'Helter Skelter' and other phrases on the wall in her victims' blood. She, along with other participants including Manson, were convicted and sentenced to death. However, their sentences were commuted to life with the possibility parole in 1972, after the death penalty was briefly ruled unconstitutional in California. Krenwinkel is now the state's longest-serving inmate. The California governor's office and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment.
