Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of Charles Manson, has been granted parole for the third time after spending nearly six decades in prison for her involvement in the notorious Tate-LaBianca murders in Los Angeles. The 78-year-old was approved for release by California’s board of parole hearings on Tuesday.
Background
Krenwinkel has been imprisoned longer than any other woman in California. She was convicted in 1971 for her role in a violent crime spree that resulted in the deaths of Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and her four friends, as well as grocery store owner Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. The murders, which occurred over two nights in 1969, became one of the most infamous crime stories in the United States.
Parole History
This is the third time Krenwinkel has been approved for parole, but both of her previous grants were overturned by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Her attorneys are now urging the governor to allow this latest ruling to stand. The parole board has consistently recognized her record of rehabilitation over the past 57 years, concluding that she poses no danger to society in her elderly age.
Rehabilitation Efforts
Krenwinkel, who was 21 at the time of the killings, has participated in extensive therapy and group counseling during her incarceration. She has maintained a clean disciplinary record and has been evaluated as a low public safety risk in nine consecutive psychological evaluations over the past 40 years. Her longtime lawyer, Keith Wattley, stated:
