Manson Family member Leslie Van Houten was denied parole this week by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who reversed a recommendation by a parole board to let her out.
Van Houten was heavily involved in the murders of wealthy grocer Leno and his wife Rosemary Labianca, one day after the infamous killing of actress Sheron Tate, which Van Houten did not participate in. Van Houten helped to asphyxiate Rosemary Labianca with a pillowcase and then stabbed her between 14 and 16 times in the back. After the murders, Van Houten helped to smear the blood of the victims on the walls of the house and drank chocolate milk from the victims' fridge.
According to correctional officers, Van Houten is a model prisoner, and she has already been recommended for parole twice. Each time, these recommendations were overturned by California Governor Jerry Brown.
Van Houten is now 69, and has been incarcerated for about 50 years.
Newsom was not impressed with the reports of good behavior from correctional officers, stating, "While I commend Ms. Van Houten for her efforts at rehabilitation and acknowledge her youth at the time of the crimes, I am concerned about her role in these killings and her potential for future violence. Ms. Van Houten was an eager participant in the killing of the LaBiancas and played a significant role."
Should Van Houten be given parole, or is she still an imminent threat to the safety of those around her? Here's what some folks on Twitter had to say.
With Van Houten stuck in a perpetual tug of war between the parole boards that observe her behavior on a daily basis and the California governors who have to pay the political price of signing her parole release, it seems like those who think she is still a danger to society will take the day for now. Do you think that she is reformed, or is she beyond reformation? Give us your opinion in the comments!
