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The governor again denied parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has served more than half a century behind bars for her role in the notorious murders masterminded by Charles Manson.

Governor's Decision Sparks Backlash

Months after California’s parole board deemed the elderly suitable for freedom, the governor overturned the decision and declared that Krenwinkel “currently represents an unreasonable danger to the public if released from prison at this time.”

It was the second instance the governor has prevented her parole, and the move was met with strong opposition from Krenwinkel’s longtime attorney, who argued the governor opted for “politics over people” and failed to consider the mistreatment she endured from the cult figure.

“The governor's decision of her parole approval has no connection to the evidence of how much she’s changed or the risk she presents,” stated Keith Wattley, her legal counsel. “It's entirely political, directly contrary to the evidence and the governing regulations.”

Background of the Murders

Krenwinkel was twenty-one when the Manson cult committed the killings of actress Sharon Tate and several others, including socialite Abigail Folger and hairstylist Jay Sebring, and the following night murdered grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. By 1971, she and fellow cult members were convicted of multiple counts of murder charges for their roles in the attack.

Prison Transformation

Over many years behind bars – Krenwinkel is California’s longest serving incarcerated woman – she has turned her life around, friends and her legal team have reported. Krenwinkel has earned college degrees and her behavior record is clean, her attorney noted, which was a key factor the parole board recommended her for release.

The inmate has expressed remorse for her actions in the crimes. In 2022, she said: “I want to say how terribly sorry I am for all the pain and suffering that I created when I took the lives that I did … I try every day to live amends … [and] work toward self-improvement.”

Previous Mistreatment and Rehabilitation

An earlier inquiry by the parole board revealed she endured abuse in multiple forms by Charles Manson, her lawyer said in a statement, stating that she has found her “personal identity, self-reliance, and ethical guidance”.

Similar Instances

Newsom has previously blocked parole for other Manson followers. Another follower was freed from state custody in 2023 after over five decades when a court of appeals reversed the governor’s decision to deny her release.