California Governor Newsom Relinquishes Opposition to Parole for Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten

California Governor Gavin Newsom has dropped his opposition to parole for Leslie Van Houten, a follower of cult leader Charles Manson who has been in prison for 53 years for participating in two fatal stabbings. Van Houten's attorney says the state parole board must still give final approval, but she could be released in weeks. Newsom had previously rejected parole for Van Houten three times, but a state appeals court ruled in May that she should be released. Newsom has decided not to appeal the court's decision.