Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten to be freed after 53 years? What we know so far

Leslie Van Houten, the infamous killer and follower of cult leader Charles Manson, is likely to be freed from prison after five decades. California governor Gavin Newsom has announced that he won’t ask the state Supreme Court to block parole for Leslie Van Houten, as per reports.

This paves the way for her release after serving 53 years in prison for two infamous murders.

In a brief statement, the governor’s office said it was unlikely that the state's high court would consider an appeal of a lower court ruling that Van Houten should be released. Gov. Gavin Newsom is disappointed, the statement said. "More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims’ families still feel the impact," the statement said.

Who Is Leslie Van Houten?

Van Houten, now in her 70s, is serving a life sentence for helping Manson and other followers in the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife, Rosemary.

Van Houten could be freed in about two weeks after the parole board reviews her record and processes paperwork for her release from the California Institution for Women in Corona, her attorney Nancy Tetreault said.

She was recommended for parole five times since 2016 but Newsom and former Gov. Jerry Brown rejected all those recommendations.

However, a state appeals court ruled in May that Van Houten should be released, noting what it called her “extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends” and favorable behavior reports while in prison.

Charles Manson Followers

Van Houten and other Manson followers killed the LaBiancas in their home in August 1969, smearing their blood on the walls after. Van Houten later described holding Rosemary LaBianca down with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed her, before herself stabbing the woman more than a dozen times.

The LaBianca murders happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings. Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83 after nearly half a century behind bars.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Leslie Van Houten?
A1. Leslie Van Houten, now in her 70s, is serving a life sentence for helping Manson and other followers in the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife, Rosemary.

Q2. Who was Charles Manson?
A2. Charles Manson was a cult leader. Leslie Van Houten and other Manson followers killed the LaBiancas in their home in August 1969. The LaBianca murders happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings. Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83 after nearly half a century behind bars.