California's Governor Rejects Early Release for Manson Follower Patricia Krenwinkel
Gavin Newsom has once more denied parole for the convicted inmate, who has spent more than five decades in prison for her role in the notorious murders orchestrated by the cult leader.
Parole Reversal Sparks Backlash
Nearly five months after California’s parole board found the elderly suitable for freedom, the governor reversed the decision and stated that Krenwinkel “currently represents an unreasonable danger to society if released from custody at this time.”
It was the second instance the governor has blocked her parole, and the move was met with strong opposition from Krenwinkel’s longtime attorney, who claimed the governor chose “political motives over human considerations” and failed to consider the mistreatment she suffered from Manson.
“Newsom’s reversal of Pat’s grant has no connection to the evidence of her transformation or the danger she presents,” stated Keith Wattley, her legal counsel. “It is 100% political, directly contrary to the facts and the controlling law.”
Background of the Murders
The inmate was twenty-one when the Manson cult committed the murders of actor Sharon Tate and four others, among them socialite Abigail Folger and celebrity stylist Jay Sebring, and the next evening murdered grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary LaBianca. By 1971, she and fellow cult members were convicted of multiple counts of murder charges for their involvement in the attack.
Life Behind Bars
Over many years in prison – Krenwinkel is the state's most senior female prisoner – she has turned her life around, friends and her legal team stated. She has obtained higher education and her behavior record is clean, her attorney said, which was one of the reasons the panel recommended her for release.
Krenwinkel has shown regret for her role in the offenses. In 2022, she said: “I wish to express my deep regret I am for all the pain and suffering that I caused when I ended the lives that I did … I strive daily to make amends … [and] work toward self-improvement.”
Previous Mistreatment and Reform
An earlier inquiry by the authorities found she endured abuse in multiple forms by the cult leader, her attorney noted, stating that she has developed her “personal identity, independence, and moral compass”.
Other Cases
Newsom has previously denied parole for other former cult members. Another follower was freed from California prison in 2023 after 53 years when a court of appeals overturned the governor's ruling to block her parole.
