- Leslie Van Houten, a former follower of Charles Manson, was released from prison on Tuesday after 53 years behind bars.
- The state’s parole board had ruled on five separate occasions that she was “suitable” for release, but each time the governor’s office vetoed the decision.
- A state appeals court sided with Van Houten in May 2023, ruling she should be freed.
Leslie Van Houten, a former follower of Charles Manson, was released from prison on Tuesday 11th July 2023 after 53 years behind bars.
Van Houten, 73, was convicted for helping Manson’s followers carry out the 1969 killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
The state’s parole board had ruled on five separate occasions that Van Houten was “suitable” for release, but each time the governor’s office vetoed the decision.
In May 2023, a state appeals court sided with Van Houten, ruling she should be freed.
Van Houten had also received only one write-up in 1981 for “verbally communicating with women”, but otherwise had no disciplinary record over more than five decades in prison.
Van Houten’s attorney, Nancy Tetreault, said her client is “thrilled” to be released from prison.
“She’s gratified that people are recognizing that she’s completely reformed, because she really is,” Tetreault told the Guardian. “I’ve never had a client who has dedicated herself to reform like she has. She spent 40 years in therapy and 30 years in what they call rehabilitative programming.”
Tetreault said Van Houten fell under the influence of Charles Manson and participated in the murders, but that she has worked hard to get past that cult indoctrination and to understand it and take responsibility.
“She’s very remorseful,” Tetreault said. “I think she’s just happy that her crimes are no longer defining her.”
California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has stated that he is disappointed by the court of appeals’ decision to release Ms Van Houten but will not pursue further action as efforts to further appeal are unlikely to succeed.
