Governor Newsom Denies Parole for Krenwinkel Again
California Governor Gavin Newsom has once again declined to grant parole to Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of Charles Manson involved in the notorious Tate-LaBianca murders back in 1969.
This marks the second occasion Newsom has overturned a parole board’s recommendation for her release, the first being in 2022. The board had recommended her release for a second time nearly five months ago.
Krenwinkel, now 77 years old, was sentenced for seven counts of first-degree murder, including the killing of pregnant actress Sharon Tate. She has been behind bars since 1971 and is currently California’s longest-serving female inmate, having spent over 54 years incarcerated.
Throughout the years, Krenwinkel has achieved educational credentials, maintained a clean record in prison, and shown remorse for her past actions, as noted by the parole board. Her legal representatives have pointed out her personal growth, deeming her a low risk to society and highlighting the abuse she endured under Manson’s influence. A 2017 investigation further acknowledged her victimization, reinforcing her rehabilitation claims.
Despite these considerations, Governor Newsom determined that Krenwinkel still represents an “unreasonable danger to society.”
In his statement, he mentioned her limited understanding of her previous actions and a tendency to shift blame, arguing that any potential for her rehabilitation is overshadowed by ongoing psychological challenges. While he did recognize her age and the background of the crimes, he emphasized that public safety remains the top concern.
Krenwinkel’s attorney, Keith Wattley, criticized the decision as politically charged, insisting it ignored significant evidence of her rehabilitation. He referenced her eligibility for parole under laws focused on youth, elderly, and domestic violence considerations, arguing that her decades of imprisonment and demonstrated reform should warrant her release.
This ruling has reignited discussions around justice versus rehabilitation. Supporters of Krenwinkel claim she merits a second chance after years of self-improvement, while critics underscore the seriousness of her crimes and the enduring pain inflicted on the victims’ families.
Currently, Krenwinkel will continue her sentence in a California prison.
Krenwinkel first encountered Charles Manson in 1967 at Manhattan Beach, alongside Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme and Mary Brunner. She later recounted that her initial interaction with Manson was marked by a sexual encounter and noted that he was the first to make her feel beautiful. Entranced by his charisma, she abandoned her former life to join Manson and his followers in San Francisco.
Krenwinkel played a pivotal role in the brutal killings at 10050 Cielo Drive on August 9, 1969, where Sharon Tate and four others were murdered. During her trial, she chillingly recounted her actions: “I stabbed her and kept stabbing her,” describing the experience as though it meant nothing to her.
The next night, she participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca with Manson and other members of what they referred to as “the family.” Krenwinkel later admitted that she stabbed Rosemary, caught up in a belief that Leno would somehow stop sending children to war.
The LaBiancas were not selected for personal motives; rather, they became victims of Manson’s chaotic agenda to trigger “Helter Skelter,” a race war concept shaped by his interpretation of The Beatles’ music. After the initial murders of Tate and others, Manson aimed to escalate the violence to provoke societal fear. The LaBiancas, a middle-class couple in LA’s Los Feliz area, were targeted largely due to Manson’s familiarity with the neighborhood. Krenwinkel later claimed during her 2016 parole hearing that she believed their murders would disrupt social norms, echoing Manson’s anti-establishment rhetoric.
