A California prison panel has recommended the release of Patricia Krenwinkel, who has been serving a life sentence for her involvement in the infamous 1969 Los Angeles murder spree orchestrated by cult leader Charles Manson. Now 77 years old, Krenwinkel is the longest-serving female inmate in the state’s prison system. The state Board of Parole Hearings determined that she poses a minimal risk of reoffending, citing her advanced age and an unblemished conduct record during her incarceration.
This recommendation, stemming from Krenwinkel’s 16th parole hearing, is not final and will be subject to a review by the complete state Board of Parole Hearings and California Governor Gavin Newsom within the next 150 days. Previous recommendations for Krenwinkel’s parole, including one made in May 2022, were reversed by Newsom, who cited public safety concerns and the opposition of victims’ families.
During the recent hearing, Krenwinkel did not speak to the commissioners, although her attorney was present. Family members of the victims voiced their objections to her potential release. Krenwinkel was convicted in 1971 on seven counts of first-degree murder for her role in the murders of high-profile victims, including actress Sharon Tate, who was pregnant at the time. The violent attacks shocked the nation and marked a dark chapter in American criminal history.
Manson, who orchestrated the killings but did not directly participate, was convicted for his leadership over a group of young followers who committed the murders. After a tumultuous representation in the legal system, he passed away in prison in 2017.
This ongoing situation echoes the recent release of another Manson follower, Leslie Van Houten, who was granted parole in 2023 after decades behind bars. While Governor Newsom previously blocked her release, a California appeals court overruled his decision, leading to her eventual freedom.
Krenwinkel’s case, like Van Houten’s, underscores the complexities involved in assessing parole suitability for individuals who committed heinous crimes decades ago and are now deemed to no longer pose a threat to society. It will remain to be seen how the state will balance the elements of justice and rehabilitation in its final decision regarding Krenwinkel’s potential release.