California's Governor Again Denies Early Release for Manson Follower Longtime Inmate
Gavin Newsom again rejected parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has served more than five decades behind bars for her involvement in the 1969 murders orchestrated by Charles Manson.
Parole Reversal Draws Backlash
Nearly five months after California’s parole board deemed the 77-year-old suitable for release, Newsom reversed the decision and stated that the inmate “currently poses an unacceptable risk to the public if released from custody at this time.”
This marks the second instance Newsom has blocked her parole, and the move was met with strong opposition from her legal representative, who claimed the governor opted for “politics over people” and overlooked the mistreatment she endured from the cult figure.
“The governor's decision of Pat’s grant has no connection to the record of how much she’s changed or the danger she presents,” stated Keith Wattley, Krenwinkel’s attorney. “It's entirely political, in opposition to the evidence and the controlling law.”
Background of the Murders
Krenwinkel was 21 when the Manson's followers committed the killings of actor Sharon Tate and several others, among them socialite Abigail Folger and celebrity stylist Jay Sebring, and the next evening murdered grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary LaBianca. In 1971, she and other Manson followers were found guilty of seven counts of first-degree murder for their roles in the crimes.
Prison Transformation
Over many years behind bars – Krenwinkel is the state's most senior incarcerated woman – she has reformed, supporters and attorneys stated. Krenwinkel has obtained higher education and her conduct is clean, legal counsel noted, which was a key factor the panel recommended her for release.
The inmate has shown regret for her actions in the crimes. In 2022, she stated: “I want to say my deep regret I am for the harm and anguish that I created when I took the lives that I did … I try every day to live amends … [and] work toward being a better person.”
Past Abuse and Reform
An earlier inquiry by the parole board revealed she endured physical, emotional and sexual violence by Charles Manson, her lawyer said in a statement, stating that she has developed her “personal identity, self-reliance, and ethical guidance”.
Other Cases
The governor has previously denied release for other former Manson followers. Another follower was released from California prison in 2023 after over five decades when a state appeals court reversed the governor’s decision to deny her release.