🔗 Share this article

Gavin Newsom has once more rejected release for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has served more than half a century in prison for her role in the notorious murders masterminded by Charles Manson.

Parole Reversal Sparks Criticism

Nearly five months after the state parole panel found the elderly suitable for freedom, Newsom overturned the decision and stated that Krenwinkel “currently represents an unreasonable danger to the public if released from prison at this time.”

It was the second time the governor has blocked her release, and the move was met with sharp criticism from Krenwinkel’s longtime attorney, who argued the governor opted for “political motives over human considerations” and failed to consider the mistreatment she suffered from the cult figure.

“Newsom’s reversal of Pat’s grant has no connection to the evidence of her transformation or the risk she presents,” said her attorney, Krenwinkel’s attorney. “It's entirely political, directly contrary to the evidence and the controlling law.”

Background of the Crimes

Krenwinkel was twenty-one when the Manson cult carried out the killings of actress Sharon Tate and several others, including heiress Abigail Folger and celebrity stylist Jay Sebring, and the next evening killed Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. In 1971, she and other Manson followers were convicted of multiple counts of murder charges for their involvement in the crimes.

Prison Transformation

In her decades in prison – Krenwinkel is the state's most senior incarcerated woman – she has turned her life around, supporters and attorneys stated. Krenwinkel has obtained higher education and her behavior record is clean, her attorney noted, which was a key factor the panel supported her parole.

The inmate has shown regret for her actions in the offenses. In 2022, she said: “I wish to express my deep regret I am for all the pain and suffering that I created when I ended the lives that I did … I strive daily to make amends … [and] focus on self-improvement.”

Previous Mistreatment and Reform

A 2017 investigation by the parole board found she endured physical, emotional and sexual violence by Charles Manson, her lawyer noted, adding that she has found her “own identity, self-reliance, and moral compass”.

Other Cases

The governor has previously denied release for other former cult members. Leslie Van Houten was released from state custody in recent years after over five decades when a court of appeals reversed the governor’s decision to deny her release.