Where is Leslie Van Houten now? Former Manson Family member Leslie Van Houten has been released from a California prison after serving 53 years for her involvement in two murders, and the news marks a significant development in the long-running case.
Who is Leslie Van Houten?
Born on August 23, 1949 in California, Leslie Van Houten is a convicted murderer and former member of Charles Manson’s infamous Manson Family cult. Joining the cult at the age of 19 in 1969, Van Houten took an active part in the brutal murders of Len and Rosemary LaBianca, which led to her conviction and life in prison.
With more than 50 years in prison, she faced numerous parole hearings, most of which resulted in denials. However, in May 2023, her 21st parole hearing took a different turn as the parole board recommended her release, despite opposition from the governor of California.
Ultimately, an appeals court granted her release, leading to her release on July 11, 2023. Despite this, her release sparked intense debate and controversy, raising concerns about her readiness to reintegrate into society and the potential risk of re-offending. committing a criminal act.
Leslie Van Houten became famous for her unwavering devotion to Charles Manson, who established the Manson Family cult in California during the late 1960s. The cult has made headlines for its involvement in several high-profile murders, including the infamous Tate-LaBianco killings, in which Van Houten played a role.
She was only 19 at the time of these heinous acts and was described as an intelligent and attractive middle-class teenager, which shocked many. After her arrest, Van Houten and other cult members became media sensations, winning the public and the press during their highly publicized trials.
During her long incarceration, Van Houten distanced herself from Manson, publicly denouncing him as a manipulative and dangerous figure. However, her involvement in the shocking crimes of the Manson Family has made her a polarizing figure, with considerable opposition to her release. Despite her newfound freedom, her participation in the horrific acts of the Manson family left an indelible mark on history.
Where is Leslie Van Houten now?
On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Leslie Van Houten, who served 53 years in prison for her involvement in the Manson Family murders, was released from prison. Her current whereabouts are unknown. The court order for her release came after the California Board of Parole Hearings recommended her release in May 2023, after her 21st parole hearing, despite opposition from California’s governor. The Court of Appeals eventually voted in favor of her release, leading to her release from prison.
Van Houten, now 72, played a significant role in the infamous Manson Family cult murders in 1969 and was considered one of the group’s most loyal followers. Namely, she actively participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
During her long incarceration, Van Houten faced numerous parole hearings, more than twenty of which resulted in denials. However, during her twenty-first parole hearing on May 12, 2023, the parole board recommended her release. Despite opposition from the governor of California, an appeals court acquitted her, resulting in her release on July 11, 2023.
Van Houten’s release has sparked debate and controversy among the public and lawmakers, as concerns have been raised about her readiness to reintegrate into society and the potential risk of further crimes. There is currently no information available on her current location or post-release plans.
Public reactions to Van Houten’s release have been divided, with some believing she should not have been released, while others argue she served her time and deserves a second chance. The upcoming season will reveal how Van Houten adjusts to life outside of prison.
Who was released after 53 years for 2 murders linked to the Manson cult?
After serving a life sentence for her involvement in the Manson Family murders, Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison on Tuesday, marking the end of her 53-year incarceration. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed her release, saying she is now under parole supervision. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision not to challenge the state appeals court ruling paved the way for her parole.
Van Houten, now 73, was convicted of her role in the 1969 murders of Len LaBianca and his wife Rosemary, orchestrated by the Charles Manson cult. After her release, Van Houten was escorted to temporary housing, according to her attorney, Nancy Tetreault. Tetreault mentioned that Van Houten is still struggling with the reality of her newfound freedom.
A former throwback princess, Van Houten was 19 years old when she took part in the gruesome murders of a wealthy Los Angeles couple, following Manson’s orders. Originally sentenced to death, her sentence was later commuted to life in prison after the California Supreme Court struck down the state’s death penalty law in 1972. Despite the subsequent reintroduction of the death penalty, it was not applied retroactively to her case.
The LaBiancas were brutally murdered in their home, blood smeared on the walls. Van Houten recalled holding Rosemary LaBianca while others stabbed her. Commanded by Charles “Tex” Watson to “do something,” Van Houten grabbed a knife and stabbed the woman more than a dozen times.
The murders came a day after Manson’s followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. It is important to note that Van Houten did not participate in the Tate murders. Her release has sparked public debate and controversy surrounding her reintegration into society and the possible risks she may pose.
Van Houten is expected to spend about a year at the halfway house, navigating a world that has changed dramatically due to advances in technology over the past half century. Tetreault stressed that Van Houten will have to adapt to using the Internet and making cashless transactions, since the world she left behind is very different from the one she faces now.
While on parole for an estimated three years, Van Houten aims to secure a job as soon as possible. During her stay in prison, she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in counseling and worked as a mentor for other prisoners.
Van Houten was found eligible for parole during a hearing in July 2020, but her release was initially blocked by Governor Newsom, who believed she remained a threat to society. However, after he filed an appeal that was denied by the trial court and then reviewed by appeals courts, an appeals court ultimately reversed Newsom’s decision in May.
The court said there was no evidence to support the governor’s concerns about Van Houten’s readiness for release. They highlighted her extensive rehabilitation efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans and support from loved ones, as well as positive institutional reports and her extensive addiction therapy and counseling over the years.
While some judges disagreed with the decision, Newsom expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the lasting impact the Manson cult’s brutal murders continue to have on victims’ families.
Van Houten has been recommended for parole five times since 2016, with all previous recommendations rejected by either Newsom or former Gov. Jerry Brown. Last week, Cory LaBianca, daughter of Len LaBianca, expressed her family’s heartbreak at the prospect of Van Houten being released.
Van Houten’s life took a dark turn at the age of 14 after her parents’ divorce, which led her to drugs and an unwanted pregnancy. She revealed that her mother forced her to have an illegal abortion and bury the fetus in their yard.
Van Houten met Manson at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles, where he gathered his group of devoted followers, dubbed “The Manson Family.”
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Source: HIS Education