Former Charles Manson follower denied parole

Leslie Van Houten, a former member of cult leader Charles Manson’s “family,” was denied parole for the third time Tuesday for her 1969 murder conviction, according to ABC News.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) overruled a recommendation for parole despite testimonials that she has been a model prisoner and has been successfully rehabilitated.

{mosads}”While I commend Ms. Van Houten for her efforts at rehabilitation and acknowledge her youth at the time of the crimes, I am concerned about her role in these killings and her potential for future violence,” Newsom said in a statement. “Ms. Van Houten was an eager participant in the killing of the LaBiancas and played a significant role.”

Van Houten was convicted of joining five other Manson disciples in the Los Angeles slaying of grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson’s followers wrote “Helter Skelter” on the wall of the couple’s house using their blood, in reference to an apocalyptic race war Manson believed the group’s killings were necessary to trigger.

Newsom’s predecessor, Gov. Jerry Brown (D), similarly denied parole for Van Houten in 2016 and 2018. In 2018, Brown said Van Houten had yet to take full responsibility for the murders and continued to place outsized blame on Manson, who died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83.

Van Houten said in 2018 that she feels compelled to make amends for the murders and has worked to help fellow inmates continue their education or adjust to prison.

“I think most of what I do is out of guilt for what I’ve done,” she told the parole board in 2018, according to ABC.