Leslie Van Houten : Ex- Manson Family Member Is Up for Parole Again "OUCH"

Former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten faces her 19th parole hearing on Thursday . The ex-homecoming queen was 19-years-old when she joined other members of the Manson cult in the murder of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.  Now 60, Van Houten has expressed remorse for her crimes, has received positive psychological reports and has been active in self-help groups in prison.
Most  significant is the case of Sandra Lawrence, a convicted murderer who was paroled after 23 years in prison after the court held that to refuse parole there must be evidence that a prisoner  is currently a danger to public safty. The court said the board could not base a refusal only  on details  of the crime committed by the inmate long ago.
Many attorneys have argued over the years that Van Houten is rehabilitated  and not a danger to anyone. Christie Webb, the attorney who represented Van Houten in prior parole hearing for nine years said, "It was time for Leslie to get someone with new ideas to persuade the board to do the right thing and grant her parole, I'll continue to help her in any way that I can.
Van Houten was convicted of murder and conspiracy for her role in the slaying of the wealthy grocers. The LaBiancas were stabbed to death  in August 1969, one night after Manson's followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others including, celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring, a coffee heiress Abigail Folger, filmmaker Voityck Frykowksi and Steven Parent, a friend of Tate  estate's  caretaker.
Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings, but went along the next night when the LaBiancas were slain in their home. During the penalty phase of her trial she confessed to joining in the stabbing  Mrs. LaBianca after she was dead.
The Tate-LaBianca killings became one of the most notorious murder cases of the 20th century and continues to rivet public attention 41 years later.
Van Houten was sentenced to death along with Manson, Akins and Krenwinkle but their sentences were reduced to life in prison with the possibility of when  the death penalty was briefly outlawed in the 1970s.
Van Houten's first conviction was over-turned due to legal errors and her second trial ended in a jury deadlock. But a third jury convicted her of murder again. Van Houten lawyers had argured she was brain-washed by cult memer Manson.
In  past parole hearing she has apologized to the victims' families  and expressed remorse for her actions. She has  earned college degrees while behind bars and has worked to help other women prisoners.
Whether they will grant her a parole date in this 19th hearing is the big question.
If Van Houten is refused parole, it is uncertain when she would get another chance. Under a new law, the board can set the length of time between hearing at three, five, 10 or 15 years. Prison officials  said Van Houten was in good health.
Another former Manson follower, Bruce Davis, convicted in a related case, was granted  a parole date this year only to have the decision reversed last month by Gov. Arnond Schwarzenegger.
My spin : Time  has changed the world so much since  Van Houten  was convicted and sent to prison...she would be out of place  outside the bars that have held her prisoner for so many years....no friends and when most people find out who she is , they will shun  her. I ask you, would you care to have a person living next door  that  stabbed a murdered woman after she was dead ? I call that over-kill. But hey, that's just me.