Manson follower Leslie Van Houten eligible for parole, court rules

Thanks Nicole, she was now convicted of murder and was part of one of the most horrible murder cults of all time, the Manson family, but now at 73 years old, Leslie Van Houten is still in prison for her crimes, but she got a big victory in the state. Field Marshal Fields, that's right, Pat, today the Court ruled that he is

eligible

for

parole

after former Governor Jerry Brown and current Governor Gavin Newson and KCAL News political reporter Tom Wait denied it. five times. She will walk free, no, not immediately, so now the governor has the opportunity to decide whether or not he will ask the Attorney General if he accepts it or not.

You know, appeal this ruling so far, we haven't heard from the governor, but based on his past behavior, he probably will, so we'll see what happens after that, so the ruling could depend on whether they let her out while everything This happens, so there are still a lot of emotions here, which is why Van Houten's lawyer's argument has been that she has reformed. She changed, she spent decades paying for her crimes, but the relatives of those she helped murder say it doesn't matter, she doesn't change what she did and they say she should stay locked up.

She is really very sorry. Leslie van Houten's lawyer describes the condition of her client. of Mind Van Houten was a

follower

of Manson and was convicted of participating in two of the infamous murders. At 73, she was recommended for

parole

five times, although Van Houten's parole was ultimately denied by both former Governor Jerry Brown and current Governor Gavin Newsom, but now there is a new ruling. of the state appeals

court

says Van Houten is entitled to parole, the standard for parole is that the inmate must no longer pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety and is based on his current mindset and behavior, All the governor has to do is cite a minimum of evidence, which is a very low standard in this case, the governor did not cite any evidence after Van Houten was recommended for parole in 2020.

Newsom blocked the decision saying that there were inconsistencies between van Houten's recent statements and those made during the 1969 murders. saying that Van Houten lacked Insight Candor or both, but on Tuesday the state appeals

court

said we reviewed the governor's decision under the standard highly deferential to some evidence in which even a modicum of evidence is sufficient to sustain revocation, yet we maintain on this record that there is no evidence to support the governor's conclusions. You've had a parole board that specializes in evaluating an individual's rehabilitative ticket five separate times to make this person fit to return to society and government, the governor is overturning that and I think that's really left there when The Sports appeal said: Listen, all Governor Newsom has to do is show some evidence of his dangerousness.

He has not shown any, there is no evidence of dangerousness, so it is notable in that sense that he could not even present one or some evidence. one of the reasons she should not be released, over the objection of the parole board, the governor now has the opportunity to appeal the ruling, which means Van Houten will continue to wait for her freedom, but her lawyer says he is feel encouraged. We emailed her and she just said: "I have to do it, I just have to sit down and compose myself to think about this for a moment, so it's a big change, but she's up for the challenge.

Van Houten was convicted for participating in the murders of Lino and Rosemary La Bianca in 2016. We spoke with LA Bianca's grandson after Van Houten was recommended for parole. It was heartbreaking for Tony LaMontagne to hear that Van Houten could be released. They are making the decision to allow a killer comes back to his neighborhood. My neighborhood last time. They were in my neighborhood, they killed my family and then the dogs would be denied parole that year. We asked his lawyer if Van Houten thinks about what his possible release now for victims' families She told me, others and the board that It is difficult for her to live with what she has done every day, she struggles with it and I also feel that for the LA Bianca family no There is a way to defend what she did, it was a terrible crime, but it was 54 years ago and there are many circumstances that led to it that she understands and she is simply not the same person.

I spoke this afternoon with a family member of one of the victims, who said that they, along with other members of the victims' family, are gathering their feelings about this ruling and were not ready yet to speak publicly Pat. Alright, there will be much more on this, of course, in the coming days, months or maybe even longer. Yes, thanks.