Gavin Newsom Rejects Parole for Cult Member Longtime Inmate
The governor again refused release for Patricia Krenwinkel, who has spent more than five decades in prison for her role in the notorious Tate-LaBianca killings orchestrated by Charles Manson.
Parole Reversal Sparks Backlash
Nearly five months after the state parole panel deemed the elderly suitable for release, Newsom overturned the ruling and declared that the inmate “currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if freed from custody at this time.”
It was the second time Newsom has blocked her release, and the move was met with strong opposition from Krenwinkel’s longtime attorney, who claimed the governor opted for “political motives over human considerations” and overlooked the abuse she endured from Manson.
“The governor's decision of Pat’s grant has nothing to do with the record of how much she’s changed or the danger she presents,” stated Keith Wattley, Krenwinkel’s attorney. “It is 100% political, directly contrary to the evidence and the controlling law.”
Background of the Crimes
The inmate was twenty-one when the Manson cult carried out the murders of actress Sharon Tate and several others, including heiress Abigail Folger and hairstylist Jay Sebring, and the next evening killed grocer Leno LaBianca and his spouse, Rosemary. In 1971, she and fellow cult members were found guilty of seven counts of first-degree murder for their roles in the attack.
Life Behind Bars
Over many years behind bars – she is the state's most senior incarcerated woman – she has turned her life around, supporters and attorneys have reported. Krenwinkel has obtained higher education and her behavior record is clean, legal counsel said, which was a key factor the panel supported her parole.
The inmate has expressed remorse for her role in the crimes. Previously, she stated: “I wish to express how terribly sorry I am for all the pain and suffering that I caused when I took the lives that I did … I strive daily to make amends … [and] focus on self-improvement.”
Previous Mistreatment and Reform
An earlier inquiry by the parole board revealed she endured abuse in multiple forms by Charles Manson, her lawyer noted, stating that she has found her “own identity, self-reliance, and moral compass”.
Similar Instances
Newsom has previously blocked release for other cult members. Leslie Van Houten was released from state custody in 2023 after 53 years when a state appeals court reversed the governor's ruling to block her parole.
