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Manson follower Leslie Van Houten denied parole

Van Houten's 13th attempt at parole was denied

June 6, 2000
Web posted at: 11:28 p.m. EDT (0328 GMT)

In this story: 'I apologize deeply for what I did' Relatives argue for life in prison RELATED STORIES, SITES

FRONTERA, California (CNN) -- Leslie Van Houten, one of the Charles Manson followers convicted of two killing sprees, faces more time in prison after being denied parole for the 13th time.

The parole board made its decision Tuesday evening after hearing from Van Houten, relatives of her victims and one of the men who prosecuted her.

VIDEO National Correspondent Anne McDermott looks at the history of parole denials for Manson and his followers. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     ALSO Patti Tate loses battle with breast cancer     RESOURCES Court TV Verdicts: Van Houten Parole Hearing

"I don't ever think she should be paroled because she keeps minimizing her participation (in the killings)," said Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Stephen Kay.

"She's always made excuses, 'Oh I was in a fog -- Tex made us do it'," said Kay, referring to Manson cult member Charles "Tex" Watson.

On a hot August night in 1969, Manson followers butchered actress Sharon Tate and four other people at Tate's Los Angles home. The pregnant actress was killed as she pleaded in vain with her assailants to spare her unborn baby.

Van Houten was not at that killing.

But the next night, she participated with the Manson gang as they murdered Leno LaBianca, a wealthy grocery chain owner, and his second wife, Rosemary.

Afterward, the killers raided the victims' refrigerator. In both homes, the word "pig" was scrawled in the victims' blood.

Van Houten, now 50 years old, was convicted of the LaBianca murders.

Van Houten was convicted in the deaths of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca

Manson and his followers, Van Houten, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel, were all convicted and sentenced to death. Those sentences were changed to life in prison in 1972 when a U.S. Supreme Court decision temporarily halted capital punishment.

None of Manson's followers have ever been paroled. Van Houten, who claimed a minimal role in the 1969 slayings, has been regarded as having the best chance.

Before she hooked up with Manson, Van Houten was a former honor student and high school cheerleader.

In the years since her conviction, she has earned two college degrees and maintained a clean disciplinary record at the California Institution for Women in Frontera, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

She has also taken responsibility for the murders she committed.

"I just want to say that I apologize deeply for what I did," she told the parole board this time.

But the prosecutor dismissed her apologies and explanations.

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"She can't come clean, she can't be truthful -- it's not in her nature," said Kay.

The parole board also heard from the nephew of the LaBiancas.

"These were two of the kindest, nicest, loving and generous people," John DeSantis said through tears, some 30 years after his aunt and uncle were brutally killed.

DeSantis and other relatives of the victims urged the parole board to keep Van Houten in prison for the rest of her life.

Although Van Houten was denied parole again this time, her lawyer said she is not giving up.

"Leslie is a very hopeful person," said attorney Christie Webb. "She will continue to do the good work that she does here, and she will continue to hope that someday that will be recognized."

Webb said, "I honestly don't know how much time is enough for the times that were taken (from the LaBiancas.) I don't know what I would do if I were one of the victims' family members. And frankly she doesn't know."

Correspondent Anne McDermott contributed to this report.

Anniversary of Manson murders spotlights fascination with cult leader
August 9, 1999
No parole, but encouragement for Manson follower
May 29, 1998

Charles Manson, the Manson Family - From The Crime Library

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