Manson victim family slam Leslie Van Houten's release from prison
Family of Manson victim slam decision to release ‘cold-blooded killer’ cult member Leslie Van Houten, 73, and say her freedom after 53 years sets a ‘dangerous precedent’
- ‘Cult member’ Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison on Tuesday
- It came after governor Gavin Newsom said he would not fight the release
The family of a victim of the Manson cult has slammed the decision to release cult member Leslie Van Houten, following her release from prison on Tuesday.
Anthony DiMaria, the nephew of hair stylist Jay Sebring who was killed by the cult in 1969, yesterday called out California Governor Newsom’s decision not to appeal.
He told CNN: ‘I certainly have respect for Governor Newsom and the attorney general. But our families strongly, vehemently disagree with their decision not to file an appeal.’
He warned that Van Houten’s, 73, release set a ‘dangerous, pernicious precedent’ and called her a ‘cold-blooded killer in one of the most notorious murder rampages in United States history.’
Van Houten walked out of a California prison on Tuesday after serving 53 years of a life sentence for her involvement in two of the infamous Manson murders.
Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving 53 years of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders
Jay Sebring, hairdresser to the stars, and developer of male hair care products. He was murdered along with Sharon Tate and others by the Manson family
The 73-year-old was serving a life sentence for helping Charles Manson’s followers carry out the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson is pictured above
Van Houten was convicted in the 1969 murders of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles , and his wife, Rosemary
Several relatives of the Manson victims have also spoken out against Van Houten’s release.
Cory LaBianca, the daughter of victim Leno LaBianca, told The Associated Press: ‘My family and I are heartbroken because we’re once again reminded of all the years that we have not had my father and my stepmother with us.
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‘My children and my grandchildren never got an opportunity to get to know either of them, which has been a huge void for my family.’
Van Houten was serving a life sentence for helping Charles Manson’s followers carry out the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife, Rosemary.
Over the years Van Houten has said she regrets the killings, claiming she is mentally ill and became deranged after using LSD, believing Manson was ‘Jesus Christ.’
She was first sentenced to death for her crimes but her sentence was reduced to life in prison after capital punishment was outlawed in California in 1972.
Van Houten was on Tuesday ‘released to parole supervision’ and driven to transitional housing, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The convicted killer, 73, is expected to spend about a year learning basic skills such as how to go to the grocery store and get a debit card, according to her attorney Nancy Tetreault.
Her release comes just four days after Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole.
He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal.
Newsom had previously rejected parole for Van Houten three times, but a state appeals court in May rejected his most recent denial of parole.
A disappointed Newsom said in a statement: ‘More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims’ families still feel the impact.’
‘She’s still trying to get used to the idea that this real,’ her lawyer said. ‘She’s been in prison for 53 years. … She just needs to learn how to use an ATM machine, let alone a cell phone, let alone a computer.’
Van Houten was 19 when she and other cult members knifed the couple as part of Manson’s deranged plan to incite a race war by terrifying Los Angeles with a killing spree.
She has shared how she held Rosemary down as she was murdered before stabbing her in the stomach 16 times and how she helped Patricia Krenwinkel, Tex Watson, and Clem Grogan carve up Leno’s body before smearing the couple’s blood on the walls.
The killer also wiped down fingerprints from surfaces and drank chocolate milk from the couple’s refrigerator.
The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom sits in the state Assembly at the state Capitol, June 30, 2023
Leslie Van Houten, seen being transported to jail in 1977, had been originally sentenced to death before being resentenced to life imprisonment after California briefly ended the death penalty
Susan Atkins, left, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten are pictured
A policeman in the drive of the Los Angeles home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca
The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate (pictured) and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings
Kay Hinman Martley, 85, whose cousin Gary Hinman was savagely murdered in July 1969 by members of Manson’s cult, said she fears the release could lead to the freedom of the other four surviving Manson killers.
Krenwinkel is currently locked up in the same prison Van Houten was just released from. Manson’s ‘right-hand man’ Bruce is at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, Watson is at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, and Bobby Beausoleil at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, she said: ‘I can’t believe California would do this, that they would let a killer who tortured several people… I mean the Manson Family has got a terrible reputation.
‘I don’t care what this woman says, if she says she’s sorry.
‘She was given a death sentence and then it was turned to life imprisonment and they forgot [to add] that darn ‘without parole’.
‘I’m just livid. I don’t know what else to do.’
A state appeals court ruled in May that Van Houten should be released, noting what it called her ‘extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends’ and favorable behavior reports while in prison.
Tetreault, Van Houten’s lawyer, said her client was ‘thrilled and overwhelmed.’
‘She’s just grateful that people are recognizing that she’s not the same person that she was when she committed the murders,’ she added.
The Manson Family claimed at least seven victims – among them pregnant actress Tate and coffee heiress Abigail Folger.
Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83 after nearly half a century behind bars.
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