Manson Family Murderer Granted Parole

Leslie Van Houten — one of the homicidal hippies who killed for Charles Manson in 1969 — has been recommended for parole! The shocking decision by a California review board comes shortly after The National ENQUIRER revealed troubling new details about the Family's brutal murders. Manson disciple Charles "Tex" Watson had insisted on confirming who had actually helped to kill innocent people in the two mass murders staged for Manson!

On August 8, 1969, Tex had gone out with fellow Family members Susan Atkins, Linda Kasabian and Patricia Krenwinkel on a mission to kill for Charlie. They went to the Los Angeles mansion where aspiring rock star Manson had first met record producer Terry Melcher (son of Doris Day) — and were given instructions to "totally destroy everyone in [the house], as gruesome as you can."

Rising star Sharon (pictured) — who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant — was renting the estate. She was holding a dinner party that evening while husband Roman Polanski was out of town. The killers slaughtered an innocent bystander outside the house, and then murdered Sharon, along with hair stylist Jay Sebring, screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski and coffee heiress Abigail Folger.

The next night, Manson had Leslie (seen at far left) join Tex and Patricia to randomly murder Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Authorities believe that Manson personally stepped in to help tie up the victims at the start of the home invasion.

Leslie was responsible for inflicting at least 16 of the 40 stab wounds inflicted on Mrs. LaBianca while she was being held hostage by Leslie and Patricia. Detectives believe that she had began to struggle after hearing her husband (pictured) being murdered by Tex in the next room. She had been bound with a lamp cord around her neck and had a pillowcase over her head. Patricia later left a fork sticking out of Mrs. LaBianca's body.

The cult members had used their victims' blood to write "Death To Pigs" and "Rise" on the walls of the house. Leslie, now 66 years old, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in 1971.

A later ban on the death penalty in California commuted her sentence to life in prison. The murderer had 20 previous hearings before finally getting recommended for parole. According to her attorney, Richard Pfeiffer, Leslie felt "numb" after hearing the news a  the California Institution for Women in Chino.

“The opposition to parole has always been the name Manson,” said Pfeiffer. “A lot of people who oppose parole don’t know anything about Leslie’s conduct. Her role was bad. Everyone’s was. But they don’t know what she’s done since then, and all of the good she’s done.”

The former homecoming princess recounted details of the savage killings for the parole board. She admitted to having put the pillow over Mrs. La Bianca's head, but insisted that she had only held down the victim while Patricia used the knife to inflict the multiple stab wounds.

Leslie still claims that she only stabbed Mrs. LaBianca after she was told to participate in the murders by her fellow Family members. During the hearing, Commissioner Ali Zarrinnam told Leslie: “Your behavior in prison speaks for itself. Forty-six years and not a single serious rule violation.” Manson, 81, continues to serve his sentence for first-degree murder.

Tex and Patricia (in center of photo) remain imprisoned, but continue to have parole hearings. Susan Atkins (at far left) was still serving her sentence when she passed away in 2009.

Cory LaBianca was 21 years old when here father and stepmother were murdered by Leslie and her friends. She plans to appeal to the California governor to deny Leslie's parole. “Maybe Leslie Van Houten has been a model prisoner,” said the grieving daughter, "but you know what? We still suffer our loss. My father will never be paroled. My stepmother will never get her life back. There’s no way I can agree with the ruling today.”