Leslie Van Houten Granted Parole, Released from Prison

Leslie Van Houten, a former member of the Manson Family, has been released on parole after serving over 50 years in prison for her involvement in the 1969 murder of a Los Angeles couple. Van Houten's lawyer confirmed her release and stated that she will need time to adjust to life outside of prison. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed her release, and Governor Gavin Newsom's office announced that they would not challenge it. Van Houten was initially sentenced to death but had her sentence reduced to life imprisonment when California abolished the death penalty. She has expressed remorse for her role in the murders and attributed her actions to being mentally ill and under the influence of LSD.