Gavin Newsom Rejects Parole for Cult Member Longtime Inmate
The governor again denied release for the convicted inmate, who has spent more than half a century in prison for her involvement in the 1969 murders masterminded by the cult leader.
Governor's Decision Sparks Backlash
Months after California’s parole board deemed the elderly fit for release, the governor overturned the decision and stated that the inmate “currently represents an unreasonable danger to society if freed from prison at this time.”
It was the second time the governor has blocked her release, and the decision was met with sharp criticism from Krenwinkel’s longtime attorney, who argued the governor chose “political motives over human considerations” and overlooked the abuse she suffered from Manson.
“The governor's decision of her parole approval has no connection to the record of her transformation or the danger she poses,” said Keith Wattley, her legal counsel. “It is 100% political, directly contrary to the evidence and the governing regulations.”
Background of the Murders
Krenwinkel was 21 when the Manson's followers committed the murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others, including heiress Abigail Folger and celebrity stylist Jay Sebring, and the next evening murdered 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
Over many years in prison – she is the state's most senior female prisoner – she has reformed, friends and her legal team stated. She has earned college degrees and her conduct is spotless, her attorney said, which was a key factor the panel recommended her for release.
The inmate has shown regret for her actions in the offenses. In 2022, she stated: “I want to say 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 make amends … [and] focus on being a better person.”
Past Abuse and Rehabilitation
A 2017 investigation by the authorities found she endured abuse in multiple forms by the cult leader, her attorney said in a statement, stating that she has found her “own identity, independence, and moral compass”.
Similar Instances
The governor has previously blocked parole for other cult members. Leslie Van Houten was freed from California prison in 2023 after 53 years when a state appeals court overturned the governor's ruling to block her parole.
