Gavin Newsom Blocks Early Release for Manson Follower Patricia Krenwinkel
The governor has once more rejected release for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has spent over five decades behind bars for her role in the notorious murders orchestrated by the cult leader.
Parole Reversal Sparks Backlash
Months after the state parole panel found the 77-year-old suitable for freedom, the governor overturned the decision and stated that Krenwinkel “currently poses an unreasonable danger to the public if freed from custody at this time.”
It was the second time Newsom 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 abuse she suffered from the cult figure.
“Newsom’s reversal of her parole approval has nothing to do with the record of how much she’s changed or the risk she poses,” stated her attorney, her legal counsel. “It is 100% political, directly contrary to the facts and the controlling law.”
Case History of the Crimes
The inmate was 21 when the Manson's followers carried out the murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others, among them heiress Abigail Folger and celebrity stylist Jay Sebring, and the following night murdered Leno LaBianca and his spouse, Rosemary. By 1971, she and other Manson followers were convicted of multiple counts of murder charges for their roles in the attack.
Prison Transformation
In her decades in prison – she is California’s longest serving female prisoner – she has turned her life around, supporters and attorneys stated. She has earned college degrees and her behavior record is clean, legal counsel noted, which was a key factor the panel recommended her for release.
The inmate has expressed remorse for her role in the crimes. Previously, she stated: “I wish to express how terribly sorry I am for all the pain and suffering that I created when I took the lives that I did … I strive daily to make amends … [and] focus on self-improvement.”
Past Abuse and Rehabilitation
An earlier inquiry by the authorities revealed she endured physical, emotional and sexual violence by the cult leader, her attorney noted, stating that she has found her “personal identity, self-reliance, and ethical guidance”.
Similar Instances
Newsom has previously blocked parole for other Manson followers. Leslie Van Houten was freed from state custody in 2023 after 53 years when a court of appeals overturned the governor's ruling to block her parole.
