[Leslie] Van Houten, who was 19 at the time of the murders, refused to comment for Waters’ article. She said she had no interest in being in a magazine for what she had done, and that she was greatly ashamed by it. Nonetheless, she and the director struck up a friendship.
“[Van Houten is] well read. She’s smart. She cares about people,” Waters says of the woman who has spent the past 40 years in prison for the murders of Rosemary and Leno LaBianca.
Waters says he was so inspired by Van Houten’s patience ”” she has been denied parole 16 times ”” and her intelligence and remorse that he devoted a chapter to her in his upcoming book, Role Models. He recently posted an excerpt of the book in which he argues for Van Houten’s release on the Huffington Post.
I heard this as well last night. Actually the question is “could she contemplate” at the time. Seems that she was under the spell of Manson as well as drugs (LSD, I think Waters said).
Two words: Jack Abbott.
I heard this also. But I was reminded of the audacious way the Manson cult affronted authority before and during the trial.
I read an article yesterday that Manson follower Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme is about to be paroled for a prison in Texas. As recently as the late ’80s, Fromme attempted a prison escape so she could run off and be closer to where Manson is incarcerated.
I’ve seen reports about Leslie Van Houten over the past several years and she does seem to be rehabilitated and no longer a danger. Or, she’s an incredibly good actress.
I am sure that the LaBianca family might not agree…
Ms. Van Houten received the death penalty for her crimes, but that sentence was overturned when the California Supreme Court determined capital punishment was unconstitutional.
Seems to me that life in prison is a reprieve from her original sentence, so her parole would be two two steps, not one.