California's Governor Rejects Parole for Cult Member Longtime Inmate
Gavin Newsom again rejected release for the convicted inmate, who has spent more than half a century behind bars for her involvement in the 1969 murders orchestrated by Charles Manson.
Parole Reversal Draws Backlash
Months after the state parole panel deemed the 77-year-old suitable for release, Newsom overturned the decision and stated that the inmate “currently represents an unacceptable risk to society if released from custody at this time.”
This marks the second instance Newsom has prevented her parole, and the decision was met with strong opposition from her legal representative, who argued the governor opted for “political motives over human considerations” and overlooked the abuse she endured from the cult figure.
“Newsom’s reversal of Pat’s grant has nothing to do with the evidence of how much she’s changed or the danger she poses,” stated Keith Wattley, her legal counsel. “It is 100% political, in opposition to the evidence and the governing regulations.”
Background of the Murders
Krenwinkel was twenty-one when the Manson's followers committed the killings of actor Sharon Tate and several others, including heiress Abigail Folger and hairstylist Jay Sebring, and the following night killed Leno LaBianca and his spouse, Rosemary LaBianca. By 1971, she and other Manson followers were found guilty of multiple counts of murder charges for their roles in the attack.
Prison Transformation
Over many years behind bars – she is California’s longest serving incarcerated woman – she has turned her life around, supporters and attorneys have reported. She has obtained higher education and her behavior record is clean, her attorney noted, which was a key factor the parole board supported her parole.
Krenwinkel has shown regret for her actions in the crimes. In 2022, she stated: “I wish to express how terribly sorry I am for all the pain and suffering that I created when I ended the lives that I did … I try every day to make amends … [and] focus on self-improvement.”
Past Abuse and Reform
An earlier inquiry by the parole board revealed she endured physical, emotional and sexual violence by the cult leader, her attorney said in a statement, adding that she has developed her “own identity, independence, and ethical guidance”.
Other Cases
The governor has previously denied release for other cult members. Another follower was released from state custody in recent years after 53 years when a state appeals court overturned the governor's ruling to block her parole.
