01-20-2018, 08:50 PM
Well, he sure waited until nearly the deadline to announce his decision.
Today, Governor Brown of California once again denied parole for the youngest follower of murderous cult leader Charles Manson.
![[Image: hqdefault.jpg]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vVnnRuop8JA/hqdefault.jpg)
Brown acknowledged ^ Leslie Van Houten's youth at the time of the crime and her more than four decades as a model prisoner.
'However, these factors are outweighed by negative factors that demonstrate she remains unsuitable for parole,' Brown wrote.
Van Houten, 68, is serving life for the murders of the LaBianacas when she was 19.
Van Houten told the parole board in September that she accepted responsibility, stating that 'Manson was able to do what he did to all of us. I allowed it. I accept responsibility that I allowed him to conduct my life in that way.'
But Governor Brown said in his decision that Van Houten still lays too much of the blame on Manson, who died two months ago at 83.
Van Houten's attorney, Rich Pfeiffer, said Brown's decision shows an unprecedented and unlawful reliance to deny parole based on the circumstances of the crime, rather than the inmate's fitness.
'We're going to challenge this in court,' Pfeiffer said. 'I expect the courts to uphold the law and allow her to be released.'
Pfeiffer added that he has 'dozens of clients who have done much worse deeds than Leslie has done and they're out leading productive lives.'
Democratic Governor Brown, like Republican Governor Schwarzenegger before him, has steadfastly refused to let anyone associated with Manson's killings go free.
Refs:
https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Gov...512213.php
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...outen.html
Today, Governor Brown of California once again denied parole for the youngest follower of murderous cult leader Charles Manson.
Brown acknowledged ^ Leslie Van Houten's youth at the time of the crime and her more than four decades as a model prisoner.
'However, these factors are outweighed by negative factors that demonstrate she remains unsuitable for parole,' Brown wrote.
Van Houten, 68, is serving life for the murders of the LaBianacas when she was 19.
Van Houten told the parole board in September that she accepted responsibility, stating that 'Manson was able to do what he did to all of us. I allowed it. I accept responsibility that I allowed him to conduct my life in that way.'
But Governor Brown said in his decision that Van Houten still lays too much of the blame on Manson, who died two months ago at 83.
Van Houten's attorney, Rich Pfeiffer, said Brown's decision shows an unprecedented and unlawful reliance to deny parole based on the circumstances of the crime, rather than the inmate's fitness.
'We're going to challenge this in court,' Pfeiffer said. 'I expect the courts to uphold the law and allow her to be released.'
Pfeiffer added that he has 'dozens of clients who have done much worse deeds than Leslie has done and they're out leading productive lives.'
Democratic Governor Brown, like Republican Governor Schwarzenegger before him, has steadfastly refused to let anyone associated with Manson's killings go free.
Refs:
https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Gov...512213.php
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...outen.html