Newsom Rejects Parole for Patricia Krenwinkel

Introduction to the Case

LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gavin Newsom denied parole Tuesday for former Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel, who is serving a life prison term for her role in the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders.

Krenwinkel, now 77, was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder in 1971 for participating with fellow Manson family members Charles “Tex” Watson and Leslie Van Houten in the Aug. 9, 1969, killings of the seven-months-pregnant actress Sharon Tate, Thomas Jay Sebring, Abigail Ann Folger, Wojciech Frykowski and Steven Earl Parent and the slayings of grocers Leno and Rosemary La Bianca the following day.

Background on Krenwinkel’s Conviction and Sentence

Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel is seen heading to court in Los Angeles, left, in March 1970. On the right, she is seen in a photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in March 2020. (AP file photos)
She originally received a death sentence, but it was reduced to life in prison under a California Supreme Court ruling that invalidated all death sentences before 1972.

Parole Recommendation and Governor’s Decision

A state parole board panel in May recommended parole for Krenwinkel, but such recommendations are always subject to review by the governor. In a four-page written decision issued Tuesday, Newsom wrote that he has “concluded that the evidence in Ms. Krenwinkel’s case demonstrates that she lacks the requisite insight she needs to be safely released.”

Reasons for Denial of Parole

Newsom commended Krenwinkel for her “efforts to improve herself in prison,” including earning multiple college degrees and “an excellent disciplinary history.” But he added, “I conclude that these mitigating factors are outweighed by negative factors that bear on her risk for future dangerousness.
“… When considered as a whole, I find the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time. Therefore, I reverse the decision to parole Ms. Krenwinkel.”

Previous Parole Recommendations

A parole board panel had also recommended parole for Krenwinkel in May 2022, but the parole grant was reversed by Newsom in August 2022, according to records from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Conclusion

The decision by Governor Newsom to deny parole to Patricia Krenwinkel reflects the ongoing consideration of the risks and insights associated with releasing individuals convicted of severe crimes back into society. The case highlights the complex process of evaluating an individual’s readiness for parole, taking into account both their personal growth and the gravity of their past actions.

FAQs

• Q: Who is Patricia Krenwinkel?
  A: Patricia Krenwinkel is a former follower of Charles Manson, convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder for her role in the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders.
• Q: Why was Patricia Krenwinkel denied parole?
  A: Governor Gavin Newsom denied parole to Patricia Krenwinkel, citing that she lacks the requisite insight to be safely released and poses an unreasonable danger to society.
• Q: What were the crimes committed by Patricia Krenwinkel?
  A: Krenwinkel was involved in the murders of Sharon Tate, Thomas Jay Sebring, Abigail Ann Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Earl Parent, and Leno and Rosemary La Bianca in August 1969.
• Q: What is the current status of Patricia Krenwinkel?
  A: Following the denial of parole, Patricia Krenwinkel remains in prison, serving her life sentence.