Charles Manson Murders: Devotee Denied Parole for 20th Time
Charles Manson devotee Leslie Van Houten was denied parole for the 20th time on Wednesday. A parole board said she failed to adequately explain how someone as intelligent and well-bred as she was could have committed the "cruel and atrocious" murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca.
"I know I did something that is unforgiveable, but I can create a world where I make amends," Van Houten insisted. "I'm trying to be someone who life a life for healing rather than destruction."
Van Houten was arrested 44 years ago for the murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca. The two grocers were stabbed to death in August 1969, just one night after Charles Manson's followers killed Sharon Tate and four other people. Van Houten admitted to stabbing Rosemary 14 to 16 times after the woman was already dead.
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"He (Manson) could never have done what he did without people like me. Mr. and Mrs. La Bianca died the worst possible deaths a human being can," Van Houten said. "I feel that at that point I had really lost my humanity and I can't know how far I would have gone. I had no regard for life and no measurement of my limitations."
While in custody, Van Houten earned two college degrees and was commended for her work with elderly female inmates. Yet that was not enough to help her gain freedom.
"Given the brutality of the murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca and Van Houten's willing and active participation in this evil, pre-planned and violent crime, we are pleased with the parole board's decision to continue to hold Van Houten accountable for her heinous actions," District Attorney Jackie Lacey said after the hearing.
"Leslie committed a great sin, a great crime in 1969, and in that time (in prison) she has developed into the equal of a saint," Van Houten's lawyer, Michael Satris, told the board. "Everything she does is for humanity."
Van Houten will be eligible for parole in five years, at the age of 68.
