California Governor Gavin Newsom has recommended against releasing Patricia Krenwinkel for a third time, citing concerns about her continued danger to society despite her efforts at rehabilitation over 55 years in prison. Krenwinkel, now 78, was convicted of participating in the notorious murders orchestrated by Charles Manson in 1969, including the deaths of Sharon Tate and others. Although she has earned college degrees and mentored fellow inmates during her time behind bars, Newsom argues that Krenwinkel lacks sufficient insight into her crimes to safely re-enter society. The decision is not final; it must go through a parole board review before any release can be considered.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Patricia Krenwinkel, a former member of the Manson family convicted in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, was granted parole for the third time after nearly six decades in prison. The 78-year-old, who has been imprisoned longer than any other woman in California, was initially approved by the state’s board of parole hearings on Tuesday. However, Governor Gavin Newsom previously reversed similar decisions made in May 2022 and May 2025, citing concerns that Krenwinkel remains a danger to society despite her rehabilitation efforts over 57 years behind bars. The latest recommendation is the subject of ongoing debate, with Krenwinkel’s attorneys urging Newsom to reconsider his stance based on her demonstrated rehabilitation and advanced age.
Written for “Manson Follower Parole” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 68124 · logged 2026-10-09
Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson convicted in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, has been recommended for parole after spending more than 55 years behind bars.
asserted
Krenwinkel → convict → bars
Krenwinkel, 78, was recommended for parole Tuesday for the third time in four years, setting up another potential showdown with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has blocked her release twice over concerns that she remains a danger to the public.
asserted
she → recommend → public
The latest decision, confirmed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's inmate database, comes less than a year after Newsom reversed her previous parole recommendation.
asserted
Newsom → confirm → recommendation
In his October 2025 decision, Newsom found that Krenwinkel "lacks the requisite insight she needs to be safely released," despite acknowledging her efforts to rehabilitate herself while spending decades in prison.
asserted
she → find → prison
"When considered as a whole, the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time," Newsom wrote.
asserted
Newsom → consider → time
State records show Krenwinkel was previously recommended for parole in May 2022 and May 2025, but Newsom reversed both decisions, keeping her behind bars.
uncertain
Newsom → show → bars
The decision does not guarantee Krenwinkel's release, as the parole board must first complete its review before Newsom can decide whether to let her go free or block her release for a third time.
asserted
her → guarantee → time
For now, she remains at the California Institution for Women in Corona, where she is serving a life sentence after entering the state prison system on April 28, 1971.
asserted
she → remain → April
Krenwinkel was just 21 when she joined other members of Manson's so-called "Family" in two nights of killings in August 1969 that left seven people dead, including actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant.
asserted
who → join → Tate
According to Newsom's summary of the case, Krenwinkel and other Manson followers fatally stabbed Tate's friend Abigail Folger and helped attack several other victims.
uncertain
Krenwinkel → accord → victims
The following night, the group murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, leaving bloody messages throughout their home.
asserted
group → follow → home
Originally sentenced to death, Krenwinkel had her punishment reduced to life in prison after California's death penalty system was invalidated in 1972.
asserted
system → sentence → 1972
Newsom previously acknowledged Krenwinkel's rehabilitation efforts, including earning college degrees and mentoring other incarcerated women, but cited concerns about her self-awareness and tendency to blame others for her actions.
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Newsom → acknowledge → actions
Krenwinkel's attorney, Keith Wattley, disputed those findings after Newsom's October 2025 reversal.
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attorney → dispute → reversal
"Patricia Krenwinkel is the longest-incarcerated woman in the United States," Wattley said at the time.
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Wattley → incarcerate → time
"For more than five decades, she has committed to deep healing and rehabilitation, earning degrees, counseling others and becoming a mentor to younger women inside."
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she → commit → women
Wattley argued that Krenwinkel no longer poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.
"Patricia's record meets that standard.
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record → argue → standard
She deserves to be paroled," he said.
asserted
he → deserve → ?
Fox News Digital reached out to Wattley, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Newsom's office for comment.
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Digital → reach → comment
Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
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Price → contribute → report
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