Van Houten's Manson Family

Van Houten's Manson Family 

Leslie Van Houten is a former member of Charles Manson's "Manson Family," a cult that gained notoriety in the late 1960s. She was born on August 23, 1949, in Altadena, California, United States.

In 1969, Van Houten was involved in the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders, which shocked the nation. Alongside other members of the Manson Family, she participated in the killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, a couple who were brutally murdered in their Los Angeles home.

Van Houten's involvement in the murders led to her arrest and subsequent trial. In 1971, she was found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She was initially sentenced to death, but her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment when California abolished the death penalty in 1972.

Over the years, Van Houten has made numerous attempts to secure her release from prison. She has participated in therapy programs and demonstrated good behavior, leading to recommendations for parole from various panels. However, her parole requests have been consistently denied by the California Parole Board.

Despite her efforts at rehabilitation and expressions of remorse, many people argue that Van Houten's involvement in the brutal murders should disqualify her from ever being released. Supporters of her release argue that she was young and under the influence of Charles Manson's manipulation at the time of the crimes, and that she has since become a model prisoner.

As of my knowledge , Leslie Van Houten remains incarcerated in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The status of her parole and any developments beyond that date would require further updates.

 Leslie Van Houten's involvement in the Manson Family and her subsequent legal proceedings.

On August 9, 1969, Manson instructed four members of the Manson Family, including Van Houten, to carry out a series of murders. Van Houten, along with Charles "Tex" Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, went to the home of actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant at the time. They brutally murdered Tate, who was married to director Roman Polanski, as well as four other individuals present at the residence.

The following night, Van Houten, along with other Manson Family members, including Charles "Tex" Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, carried out the LaBianca murders. Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, a wealthy couple, were brutally stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home.

In December 1970, Van Houten went to trial along with several other Manson Family members, including Charles Manson himself. During her trial, Van Houten claimed that she was under the influence of LSD and Manson's mind control at the time of the murders. However, the prosecution argued that she was an active participant and willingly took part in the killings.

In 1971, Van Houten was found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in both the Tate-LaBianca cases. She was initially sentenced to death, but due to the California Supreme Court's decision in 1972 to overturn the death penalty, her sentence was reduced to life imprisonment.

Throughout her incarceration, Van Houten has made efforts to demonstrate her rehabilitation and remorse for her actions. She has participated in numerous therapy programs, earned college degrees, and maintained a relatively clean disciplinary record in prison. These factors have contributed to recommendations for her release by some parole panels.

However, the California Parole Board has consistently denied Van Houten's parole requests. The board has emphasized the heinous nature of the crimes and the impact they had on the victims' families, as well as the need to consider public safety.

It's worth noting that the status of Van Houten's case may have changed since my knowledge Parole decisions and legal proceedings can evolve over time, so it's essential to consult the latest sources for the most up-to-date information on her situation.