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The governor again refused parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has spent over half a century in prison for her involvement in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca killings masterminded by Charles Manson.

Parole Reversal Sparks Backlash

Nearly five months after California’s parole board found the elderly suitable for release, Newsom reversed the ruling and declared that Krenwinkel “currently represents an unacceptable risk to the public if freed from custody at this time.”

It was the second instance Newsom has prevented her parole, and the decision was met with strong opposition from her legal representative, who claimed the governor opted for “political motives over human considerations” and failed to consider the mistreatment she suffered from the cult figure.

“The governor's decision of Pat’s grant has nothing to do with the record of how much she’s changed or the risk she poses,” said Keith Wattley, Krenwinkel’s attorney. “It's entirely political, directly contrary to the evidence and the governing regulations.”

Case History of the Crimes

The inmate was twenty-one when the Manson cult committed the killings of actor Sharon Tate and several others, among them socialite Abigail Folger and hairstylist Jay Sebring, and the following night murdered grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. By 1971, she and other Manson followers were convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murder for their roles in the crimes.

Prison Transformation

Over many years in prison – she is the state's most senior incarcerated woman – she has turned her life around, supporters and attorneys have reported. Krenwinkel has obtained higher education and her conduct is spotless, legal counsel noted, which was one of the reasons the panel supported her parole.

The inmate has shown regret for her role in the crimes. In 2022, she stated: “I want to say how terribly sorry I am for all the pain and suffering that I created when I ended the lives that I did … I try every day to make amends … [and] work toward being a better person.”

Past Abuse and Rehabilitation

A 2017 investigation by the authorities revealed she endured abuse in multiple forms by Charles Manson, her lawyer noted, adding that she has found her “personal identity, independence, and ethical guidance”.

Other Cases

Newsom has previously blocked parole for other Manson followers. Leslie Van Houten was freed from California prison in recent years after over five decades when a court of appeals reversed the governor's ruling to deny her release.