Charles Manson follower Krenwinkel denied parole

A parole board panel refused to consider releasing Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel Thursday, saying the brutal 1969 Sharon Tate murders still “remain relevant.”

Ms. Krenwinkel, who has been imprisoned longer than any other woman in California, said that she threw away everything good in herself and became a “monster” after she met Mr. Manson.
The two-member panel made clear it was the horror of the killings, among the most notorious of the 20th century, that led them to reject the bid for parole in spite of Ms. Krenwinkel's efforts to change her life.

They said the atrocious murders of seven people had affected the entire world — evidenced by letters which came in from around the globe urging that she be kept behind bars — and said Ms. Krenwinkel failed to understand that.

“These crimes remain relevant,” said parole commissioner Susan Melanson. “The public is in fear.”

Ms. Melanson and deputy commissioner Steven Hernandez issued their decision after a four-hour hearing and more than an hour of deliberations at which Ms. Krenwinkel wept, apologized for her murderous deeds and said she was ashamed of her actions.

Members of victims' families also cried and recalled their suffering after the murders and called for her to be kept behind bars. Ms. Melanson said the notoriety of the crimes and their viciousness weighed heavily in the decision.

“The panel concludes that she is not suitable for parole and would present an unreasonable danger if released,” she said. She said the seven murders over two nights could be classified as a hate crime because of the killers' suggestions of wanting to foment a race war.

“This was a depraved act by a group of individuals who find it difficult to explain their actions,” she said.

The panel had the option to deny parole for up to 15 years. Ms. Melanson said they felt that was unnecessary and commended Ms. Krenwinkle for making progress in her life behind bars, participating in self-help programs and other contributions.

She was told she could request a parole hearing earlier if her situation changes.

Ms. Krenwinkel said she was seeking approval from Mr. Manson when she took part in the killings.

To that Ms. Melanson replied, “The panel finds it hard to believe a person can participate in this level of crimes and can't identify anything but ‘I wanted him to love me.”’

Ms. Krenwinkel, one of Mr. Manson's two surviving female followers, has maintained a clean prison record in her four decades behind bars, but her chances for release appeared slim following parole rejections in other Manson cases.

During her hearing, the 63-year-old was soft-spoken and contrite in response to board members' questions, describing the downward spiral of her life after she met Mr. Manson.

“Everything that was good and decent in me I threw away,” she said.

It was her father, she said, who helped her realize during his visits to her in prison, “what had happened, and the monster I became.”

She said she tells those she counsels in prison, “I am someone you would never have wanted to be, and here are the steps you can take to never go to the dark places I have been.”

Ms. Krenwinkel's claim that she is rehabilitated was met by anger and opposition from Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Patrick Sequeira and families of the victims, who argued for Ms. Krenwinkel's continued incarceration.

“If she truly had remorse, she wouldn't come to these parole hearings, and would say, ‘I accept the punishment,”’ Mr. Sequeira said.

Debra Tate, sister of Sharon Tate, then tearfully recounted the pain her family endured from the killings. She denounced Ms. Krenwinkel for never having written a letter of apology to the families.