Newsom’s Decision Keeps Manson Family Killers Behind Bars
California Governor Gavin Newsom has once again denied parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, a convicted member of the Manson Family, who remains incarcerated for her role in a series of infamous murders over 50 years ago. With this decision, Krenwinkel continues to pose what Newsom describes as an “unreasonable danger to society.”
Details of the Manson Family Murders
The Manson Family, led by Charles Manson, was involved in a wave of brutal killings in Los Angeles during August 1969. Krenwinkel was convicted alongside Manson and Tex Watson for the murders of seven individuals over two chilling nights. The victims included:
- Sharon Tate
- Jay Sebring
- Wojciech Frykowski
- Abigail Folger
- Steven Parent
- Leno LaBianca
- Rosemary LaBianca
Originally sentenced to death, Krenwinkel and her co-defendants had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment following a 1972 California Supreme Court ruling.
About Patricia Krenwinkel
Born on December 3, 1947, Patricia Krenwinkel resides in a women’s prison in Chino, California. Her parole was recommended in 2022 and again in 2025, but both times Newsom rejected the requests. Krenwinkel has been denied parole 14 times prior.
Other Manson Family Members’ Parole Status
Additional key figures from the Manson Family case include:
- Charles “Tex” Watson: Born December 2, 1945, currently at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego. Watson has been denied parole 18 times, with the most recent denial in 2021.
- Leslie Van Houten: Born August 23, 1949, released on July 11, 2023, after 20 unsuccessful parole attempts. A California appeals court ruled in May 2023 in favor of her release.
- Linda Kasabian: Born June 21, 1949, charged with all seven murders but granted immunity for her testimony, she passed away recently.
- Charles Manson: Manson died on November 19, 2017, in a Kern County hospital. He had been denied parole 12 times before his passing.
- Susan Atkins: Died in a Chowchilla prison in September 2009 at 61, following 18 denied parole attempts.
Conclusion
The legacy of the Manson Family continues to haunt California, with Krenwinkel and the remaining incarcerated members facing challenges in securing parole. Despite their past actions, the question of rehabilitation remains contentious, as highlighted by Governor Newsom’s decisions. As the trials and reactions persist, the cases of these convicted individuals remain a focal point in discussions about justice and public safety.
