Leslie Van Houten
Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten is one step closer to being released from prison after California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he'll no longer fight her parole.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected parole in 2020 for Van Houten, who was 19 during the 1969 murders.
On Thursday, a California panel recommended that Van Houten be paroled after serving nearly five decades in prison.
Van Houten, the youngest member of Charles Manson’s murderous cult, had been previously denied her release twice by former Gov. Jerry Brown.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
If Van Houten's case withstands review, her fate will rest in the hands of California’s new Gov. Gavin Newsom.
It was the second straight year that she was deemed suitable for parole, although California Gov. Jerry Brown overturned last year’s decision.
Van Houten is serving a life sentence for multiple murders, but maintains she was manipulated by Manson.
Van Houten described the cult leader as a “caricature of horror.”
Van Houten has been serving a life sentence for murders that Manson directed his followers to commit.
Leslie Van Houten is serving a life sentence.