Manson Follower Patricia Krenwinkel Recommended for Parole

Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of Charles Manson, has been granted parole on a preliminary basis by a California panel, more than five decades after her involvement in a series of notorious murders. The 78-year-old has been incarcerated for 56 years.

The decision now heads to the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days to review and decide whether to uphold the parole grant. Last year, Newsom overturned a previous parole recommendation for Krenwinkel, citing a lack of insight into the factors that led to her crimes. Prosecutors with the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office have stated they will again urge the governor to keep Krenwinkel imprisoned.

If Newsom reverses the decision, Krenwinkel would be eligible for another parole hearing within 18 months. Should the parole be approved, she would be released after serving over half a century for her role in the 1969 killings.

Krenwinkel was convicted of the murders of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate and coffee heiress Abigail Folger. She was also involved in the subsequent slayings of grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary.

Krenwinkel, who was 19 when she joined the Manson Family, has testified that she participated in the stabbing deaths of Folger and the LaBiancas. She admitted to using victims' blood to write messages on the walls of the crime scenes. Her original death sentence was commuted to life in prison after the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972.

Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister, has been a vocal opponent of Krenwinkel's potential release, citing the brutality of the crimes and Krenwinkel's past lack of remorse. Tate has stated that Krenwinkel carved "WAR" into Leno LaBianca's abdomen, an act she claims was Krenwinkel's own idea.

However, Krenwinkel's attorneys argue that she was a victim of abuse and manipulation by Manson, who exploited her vulnerability. They contend that she has undergone extensive therapy and counseling over the decades to address her past actions and take responsibility. "Over the decades since, Pat has worked to understand how she became capable of causing such profound harm and to take responsibility for the consequences of her actions," stated lawyer Keith Wattley, who expressed hope that the governor would recognize Krenwinkel's rehabilitation.

Newsom's decision comes after his previous denial of parole for another Manson follower, Leslie Van Houten, was eventually overruled by an appellate court. Other Manson Family members, including Charles Denton "Tex" Watson and Bobby Beausoleil, remain incarcerated. Manson, Susan Atkins, and Bruce Davis have died in custody.