A California parole board has once again recommended the release of Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of Charles Manson.. The 78-year-old woman, convicted in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, now faces a third potential veto from Governor Gavin Newsom.
Gavin Newsom's Third Potential Veto of Krenwinkel's Freedom
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's inmate database recently confirmed that Patricia Krenwinkel has been recommended for parole for the third time in four years. This development sets the stage for another confrontation with Governor Gavin Newsom, who has previously blocked her release on two separate occasions. According to the report, Newsom reversed parole recommendations in May 2022 and May 2025, citing concerns that Krenwinkel remains a danger to the public.
In an October 2025 decision, Governor Gavin Newsom stated that Patricia Krenwinkel lacks the "requisite insight" necessary for a safe return to society. while the governor acknowledged her efforts to rehabilitate herself during her decades of imprisonment, he maintained that the evidence suggests she still poses an unreasonable risk if released at this time.
The August 1969 Tate-LaBianca Murders and the 1972 Sentence Shift
Patricia Krenwinkel was 21 years old when she participated in the August 1969 killings that left seven people dead. As reported in the source, Krenwinkel and other members of the "Manson Family" fatally stabbed Abigail Folger, a friend of actress Sharon Tate, and were involved in the attacks on several other victims. The following night, the group murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, leaving bloody messages throughout their home.
Originally, Patricia Krenwinkel was sentenced to death for these crimes. However, her punishment was reduced to life in prison after California's death penalty system was invalidated in 1972. She has remained in the state prison system since April 28, 1971, and is currently housed at the California Institution for Women in Corona.
55 Years in Prison and the Longest-Incarcerated Woman in the U.S.
Attorney Wattley has identified Patricia Krenwinkel as the longest-incarcerated woman in the United States, having spent more than 55 years behind bars. During this time, Krenwinkel has pursued extensive rehabilitation, which includes earning college degrees and serving as a mentor to younger incarcerated women.
Despite these achievements, Governor Gavin Newsom has pointed to a perceived lack of self-awareness in Krenwinkel. The governor previously noted her tendency to blame others for her actions, which contradicts the claims of "deep healing" presented by her legal counsel.
Anne Marie Schubert's Challenge to California's Parole Guidelines
The case of Patricia Krenwinkel is unfolding amid a larger legal battle over how California handles violent offenders. Former Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert is currently leading a lawsuit to challenge new guidelines issued by the California Board of Parole Hearings. Schubert argues that these updated rules could create a dangerous pathway to freedom for mass shooters and serial killers.
This tension highlights a divide in the state's approach to lifelong sentences. While some members of the Manson Family, such as Bruce Davis and Susan Denise Atkins, died in prison, others have found a way out. For instance, Leslie Van Houten was successfully released on parole in 2023, creating a precedent that Krenwinkel's team likely views as a roadmap for her own release.
The Disputed Definition of 'Requisite Insight' for Patricia Krenwinkel
A central point of contention remains the specific nature of the "insight" Governor Gavin Newsom claims Patricia Krenwinkel lacks.. While the source mentions the governor's summary of the case, it does not detail the specific statements or behaviors that lead the administration to believe she still blames others for the 1969 murders.
Furthermore, it remains unclear how the parole board's current recommendation differs from the ones issued in 2022 and 2025.. Because Governor Gavin Newsom has not yet commented on the latest decision, the public is left to wonder if new evidence of rehabilitation has emerged or if the board is simply adhering to the new guidelines currently being challenged by Anne Marie Schubert.
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