Parole Recommendation for Former Manson Follower
Introduction to the Case
A state parole board panel on Friday recommended parole 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 and Previous Rulings
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. The parole board panel’s recommendation is subject to a review by the full Board of Parole Hearings and Gov. Gavin Newsom, which can take up to 150 days, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Previous Parole Attempts
A parole board panel had recommended parole for Krenwinkel in May 2022, but the parole grant was reversed by the governor in August 2022, according to records from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Conclusion
The recommendation for parole marks a significant development in Krenwinkel’s case, highlighting the complexities and challenges inherent in the parole process, especially for those involved in high-profile and egregious crimes. The final decision on her parole now rests with the full Board of Parole Hearings and Governor Newsom, pending a thorough review.
FAQs
Q: What was Patricia Krenwinkel convicted of?
A: Patricia Krenwinkel was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder for her role in the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders.
Q: Why was her original death sentence reduced?
A: Her death sentence was reduced to life in prison due to a California Supreme Court ruling that invalidated all death sentences before 1972.
Q: What is the next step in the parole process for Krenwinkel?
A: The parole board panel’s recommendation is subject to a review by the full Board of Parole Hearings and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Q: How long can the review process take?
A: The review process can take up to 150 days, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
