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    Many assumed Manson murderers would never be freed. How Leslie Van Houten did it

    Denied by two governors and forever linked to Charles Manson and his "family," it seemed unlikely Leslie Van Houten would ever be freed. But legal experts say an exemplary and "impeccable" record during her more than 50 years behind bars made the legal challenges to her release an uphill fight. "I don't think most people thought any member of the Manson family would get out alive," said Laurie ...
    by Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times Jul 12, 2023 4 minutes
    A 1970 staff file photo of, from left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, heading into a morning court session.

    Denied by two governors and forever linked to Charles Manson and his "family," it seemed unlikely Leslie Van Houten would ever be freed.

    But legal experts say an exemplary and "impeccable" record during her more than 50 years behind bars made the legal challenges to her release an uphill fight.

    "I don't think most people thought any member of the Manson family would get out alive," said Laurie Levenson, a professor of law at Loyola Law School. "The crime was horrific, but I think the governor realized he wasn't likely to overturn the parole commission and the court of appeals."

    Van Houten was serving a life. The California parole board first recommended her release in 2016, and Govs. Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown had both previously opposed all attempts to free her.

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