Gavin Newsom Again Denies Parole for Cult Member Longtime Inmate
Gavin Newsom again denied parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has served over five decades in prison for her role in the notorious murders masterminded by Charles Manson.
Governor's Decision Sparks Backlash
Months after the state parole panel deemed the 77-year-old suitable for release, Newsom reversed the ruling and declared that Krenwinkel “currently represents an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time.”
It was the second instance the governor has blocked her release, and the decision was met with strong opposition from Krenwinkel’s longtime attorney, who argued the governor chose “politics over people” and failed to consider the mistreatment she endured from the cult figure.
“Newsom’s reversal of her parole approval has nothing to do with the record of how much she’s changed or the danger she poses,” stated Keith Wattley, her legal counsel. “It's entirely political, in opposition to the evidence and the governing regulations.”
Case History of the Murders
The inmate was twenty-one when the Manson's followers committed the killings of actor Sharon Tate and four others, among them socialite Abigail Folger and celebrity stylist Jay Sebring, and the following night murdered Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary LaBianca. In 1971, she and fellow cult members were found guilty of multiple counts of first-degree murder 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 stated. Krenwinkel has obtained higher education and her behavior record is clean, her attorney said, which was one of the reasons the panel recommended her for release.
The inmate has shown regret for her actions in the crimes. Previously, she said: “I want to say my deep regret I am for the harm and anguish that I caused when I took the lives that I did … I try every day to make amends … [and] focus on being a better person.”
Past Abuse and Reform
An earlier inquiry by the authorities revealed she experienced abuse in multiple forms by the cult leader, her lawyer said in a statement, adding that she has found her “personal identity, independence, and ethical guidance”.
Other Cases
Newsom has previously blocked release for other cult members. Leslie Van Houten was freed from California prison in 2023 after over five decades when a state appeals court overturned the governor's ruling to deny her release.
