FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME

After all these years I now have mixed feelings on this case. In 1969, at the time of the Tate-La Bianca killings, I wanted Charlie Manson and everyone of his followers who participated in the seven murders executed.

But 41 years later and knowing that Manson had cast a Svengali spell over the immature pot-polluted women in his clan, I now feel the time may be ripe for Van Houten’s release on parole. On the other hand, Manson and Charles ‘Tex’ Watson, the Svengali’s right-hand man in the murders, should never see the light of day outside the prison walls.
　
Despite her exemplary behavior in prison and the optimism of her new attorney, I’ll be very surprised if Van Houten will be granted parole this go-around.
　
CHARLES MANSON FOLLOWER LESLIE VAN HOUTEN UP FOR PAROLE FOR 19TH TIME
　
Mail Online
July 6, 2010
　
Leslie Van Houten, the one-time Charles Manson follower and convicted murderer, faces her 19th parole hearing in what is her best chance yet for release.
　
The killer has a new lawyer and new case law, but even if there is a finding of suitability for parole at today's hearing, freedom would not be immediate.
　
The entire state parole board would review the decision within 120 days and it would then be submitted to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for a final ruling.

Van Houten, 60, remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Women at Frontera, the same prison where another Manson follower, Patricia Krenwinkle, is imprisoned.
　
Susan Atkins, the third woman convicted of murder in the crimes directed by cult leader Manson, died in prison last year after parole officials denied her dying request for freedom.
　
Van Houten last appeared before a parole board in 2007. Her chances for parole are enhanced by the fact that she has been discipline free since her incarceration in the early 1970s, has positive psychological reports and has been active in self-help groups at the prison including 'Golden Girls,' a group for elderly women inmates.
　
She has a new lawyer, Brandie Devall, who said she will refer to rulings by the California Supreme Court in 2008 and 2009 affecting standards for parole.
　
Most significant is the case of Sandra Lawrence, a convicted murderer who was paroled after 23 years in prison after the court held that to refuse parole there must be evidence that a prisoner is currently a danger to public safety.
　
The court said the board could not base a refusal only on the details of the crime committed by the inmate long ago.
Ms Devall said the finding has also been upheld in federal court.
　
Another recent case, she said, deals with inmates who are between 16 and 20-years-old at the time of their crimes and holds that they are more likely to be rehabilitated.
　
Van Houten was 19 when she joined other members of the Manson cult in the killings of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca.
　
Many lawyers have argued over the years that Van Houten is rehabilitated and not a danger to anyone.
　
Christie Webb, the lawyer who represented Van Houten in prior parole hearings for nine years said, 'It was time for Leslie to get someone with new ideas to persuade the board to do the right thing and grant her parole. I'll continue to help her in any way that I can.'
　
Ms Devall said the cases she will cite had not been decided at the time of Van Houten's last parole hearing.

She said she will cite Van Houten's age, her youth at the time of the crimes and her extreme remorse. 'There is no evidence of current dangerousness,' she said.
　
The prosecutor who will argue against Van Houten's parole, Patrick Sequiera, was not available for comment.

Van Houten was convicted of murder and conspiracy for her role in the killings of the wealthy grocers.
　
The La Biancas were stabbed to death in August 1969, one night after Manson's followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others including celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, filmmaker Voityck Frykowksi and Steven Parent, a friend of the Tate estate's caretaker.
　
Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings but went along the next night when the La Biancas were murdered in their home.
　
During the penalty phase of her trial she confessed to joining in stabbing Mrs La Bianca after she was dead.

The Tate-La Bianca killings became one of the most notorious murder cases of the 20th century and continues to rivet public attention 41 years later.
　
Van Houten was sentenced to death along with Manson, Atkins and Krenwinkle but their sentences were reduced to life in prison with the possibility of parole when the death penalty was briefly outlawed in the 1970s.
　
Van Houten's first conviction was overturned due to legal errors and her second trial ended in a jury deadlock.
　
But a third jury convicted her of murder again. Her lawyers had argued she was brainwashed by cult leader Manson.
　
She was portrayed as the youngest and least culpable of those convicted with Manson, a young woman from a good family who had been a homecoming princess and showed promise until she became involved with drugs and was recruited into Manson's murderous 'family.'
　
In past parole hearings she has apologised to the victims' families and expressed remorse for her actions.
　
Her record of good works in prison has been reviewed extensively. She earned college degrees while behind bars and has worked to help other women prisoners.
　
Decades ago, one of the original prosecutors in the case, Stephen Kay, said there would come a time when Van Houten would be ready for parole.
　
But parole officials, while giving her high marks for her accomplishments, have refused her 18 times already.
　
Another former Manson follower, Bruce Davis, convicted in a related murder case, was granted a parole date this year only to have the decision reversed last month by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
　
If Van Houten is refused parole, it is unclear when she would get another chance.
　
Under a new law, the board can set the length of time between parole hearings at three, five, seven, 10 or 15 years. Prison officials said Van Houten is in good health.