Former Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten Released On Parole After Serving Over 50 Years For Murders
- Leslie Van Houten, a follower of cult leader Charles Manson, was released this week after serving more than 50 years in prison for her role in the 1969 murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
- Van Houten, now 73, was convicted of holding down Rosemary LaBianca while fellow Manson follower Charles "Tex" Watson stabbed Leno LaBianca to death.
- She was initially sentenced to death but resentenced to life in prison after California's death penalty was abolished.
- Van Houten was recommended for parole five times but previously denied release by governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom.
- Newsom opted not to challenge a court decision overturning his rejection of Van Houten's parole, leading to her release.
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