Patricia Krenwinkel, a notorious follower of Charles Manson, has once again been denied parole by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Krenwinkel, who was involved in the brutal murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others in August 1969 at a Benedict Canyon home, remains incarcerated after Newsom overturned a prior decision to grant her parole.
In his ruling, Governor Newsom emphasized that Krenwinkel continues to represent an unreasonable danger to society if released. He stated, “When considered as a whole, I find the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society.” This decision is consistent with his ruling from 2022, where he similarly blocked her release, citing ongoing public safety risks.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman supports the governor’s decision, arguing that Krenwinkel has not fully acknowledged her culpability in the heinous crimes she committed.
In response, Krenwinkel’s attorney, Keith Wattley, expressed disappointment in Newsom’s choice, suggesting that it prioritizes political considerations over individual cases. Wattley pointed out that Krenwinkel is a documented survivor of domestic violence and criticized the governor for not addressing this critical aspect during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
At 77 years old, Krenwinkel is now the longest-serving female inmate in the state after Susan Atkins, another Manson follower, passed away from cancer in prison back in 2009. Her ongoing imprisonment reflects the troubling legacy of the Manson Family and the deep scars left by their crimes.