Former Manson family member Leslie Van Houten released from California prison, official say
Leslie Van Houten, a former Manson family member and convicted murderer, was released from a California prison on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence. She was 73 years old at the time of her release.
Van Houten was convicted of participating in the 1969 murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, a wealthy couple in Los Angeles. She was 19 years old at the time of the murders.
Van Houten had been denied parole 19 times before her release. However, in May 2023, a California appeals court ruled that she was entitled to a new parole hearing. The court found that Van Houten had made significant progress in rehabilitation and that she no longer posed a threat to society.
Van Houten will be under parole supervision for the rest of her life. She will be living in a transitional housing facility in Los Angeles.
Her release has been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that she has served enough time for her crimes and that she should be allowed to live a free life. Others believe that she is still a danger to society and that she should not be released.
Only time will tell how Van Houten will adjust to life outside of prison. However, she has said that she is committed to living a law-abiding life and that she wants to make amends for her crimes.