Former Charles Manson Follower Recommended for Parole: What This Means for Justice and Redemption

A California parole board has once again recommended parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, a notorious follower of Charles Manson. This is the second time Krenwinkel has received such a recommendation. Now, the Board of Parole Hearings and California Governor Gavin Newsom must weigh in. In the past, Gov. Newsom denied her parole request, and he has up to 150 days to make a decision this time around.

Krenwinkel, 77, is serving a life sentence for her involvement in the shocking murders of actress Sharon Tate, who was pregnant, and four others in 1969. The following night, she also participated in the brutal killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Prosecutors labeled these crimes as Manson’s attempt to ignite a race war. Krenwinkel was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder in 1971.

She first received a parole recommendation in May 2022, but Gov. Newsom rejected it later that year. Until recently, Krenwinkel had been denied parole 14 times before. Her latest hearing marked the 16th time she has sought parole.

Krenwinkel met Manson at a party when she was just 19. She later described how she was drawn to him, believing they could have a romantic relationship. Instead, she faced abuse and manipulation, often under the influence of drugs, which made it difficult for her to escape.

During the infamous Tate murders, she admitted to stabbing Abigail Folger multiple times. She also infamously wrote “Helter Skelter” and other phrases in blood at the LaBianca home. Initially sentenced to death, her sentence was later changed to life with the possibility of parole in 1972 after California temporarily ruled the death penalty unconstitutional.

Today, Krenwinkel is the longest-serving woman in California’s prison system. Her case continues to spark debates about rehabilitation, crime, and the intricacies of the justice system. Public opinion appears divided; some believe she deserves a second chance, while others argue that her crimes were too horrific.

Research shows that the longer someone serves in prison, the less likely they are to reoffend. The National Institute of Justice has noted this trend, leading to calls for reviewing long-term inmates’ eligibility for parole. As Krenwinkel awaits a decision, her story is a reminder of the complexities of justice and redemption.

For more information on California’s parole processes and inmate statistics, check out the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

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