Patricia Krenwinkel, a 78-year-old former follower of cult leader Charles Manson, has been granted a preliminary parole recommendation in California. The decision follows her 18th suitability hearing, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This development marks the third time the state’s board of parole hearings has recommended freedom for Krenwinkel, who is the longest-serving female inmate in the California prison system.
Krenwinkel is currently serving an indeterminate life sentence at the California Institution for Women in Corona. Her imprisonment stems from her 1971 conviction on seven counts of first-degree murder for her active participation in the notorious Tate-LaBianca killings carried out on August 8 and 9, 1969.
Background on the 1969 Murders and Conviction
During the two-night crime spree executed by members of the Manson family, Krenwinkel participated in the brutal murders of actress Sharon Tate-who was eight months pregnant-along with Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Thomas Jay Sebring, and Steven Earl Parent at the Cielo Drive home in Los Angeles. The following night, she took part in the killings of grocery store owner Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary.
At the time of the offenses, Krenwinkel was 21 years old. She and her co-defendants were initially sentenced to death. However, in February 1972, the California Supreme Court struck down the state’s death penalty in the landmark case People v. Anderson. This ruling automatically commuted Krenwinkel’s sentence to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. Although voters reinstated capital punishment later that year, the legal change was not applied retroactively, leaving her eligible for periodic parole reviews.
Decades of Denials and Legal Shifts
Between the 1970s and 2017, Krenwinkel faced 14 consecutive parole denials. A significant turning point in her legal strategy occurred in December 2016, when her attorney, Keith Wattley, introduced arguments asserting that Krenwinkel had suffered intimate partner battery and psychological abuse by Charles Manson at the time of the crimes. Under California law, parole commissioners must give great weight to whether abuse significantly influenced an offender’s criminal behavior.
Subsequent hearings incorporated modern legal considerations regarding youthful offenders and elderly prisoners. In May 2022, the board issued its first-ever parole recommendation for Krenwinkel. However, Governor Gavin Newsom exercised his executive authority to reverse the decision. He argued that she remained an unreasonable risk to public safety and lacked sufficient insight into the causative factors of her crimes. Governor Newsom issued a second reversal in October 2025 following a subsequent board recommendation, citing psychological evaluations that noted ongoing deficits in self-awareness and a tendency to externalize blame.
Current Status and Path Forward
Following this latest preliminary recommendation, the case must undergo a mandatory 120-day review by the Board of Parole Hearings before advancing to the governor’s desk for final evaluation. Krenwinkel’s defense team continues to emphasize her spotless disciplinary record and her extensive rehabilitation efforts, which include earning a college degree and training service dogs. They also point to nine consecutive psychological evaluations suggesting she poses a low public safety risk.
Family members of the victims, including Debra Tate, the surviving sister of Sharon Tate, continue to voice vehement opposition to any potential release. The unfolding review process places renewed focus on California’s handling of elderly long-term inmates. It also highlights the ongoing legal balance between demonstrated institutional rehabilitation and the enduring gravity of historical capital crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Patricia Krenwinkel?
Patricia Krenwinkel is a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson who was convicted in 1971 on seven counts of first-degree murder for her role in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca killings.
Why is she eligible for parole?
Although originally sentenced to death, her sentence was automatically commuted to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after the California Supreme Court invalidated the state’s pre-1972 death penalty statutes.
How many times has she been recommended for parole?
The recent decision marks the third time the California Board of Parole Hearings has recommended Krenwinkel for release, following prior approvals in 2022 and 2025 that were ultimately reversed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
What arguments do her attorneys make for her release?
Her legal team highlights her spotless disciplinary record over nearly six decades and numerous psychological evaluations rating her as a low risk for future violence. They also cite her educational achievements and evidence that she was a victim of abuse and control by Charles Manson when the crimes were committed.
What happens next in the parole process?
The preliminary recommendation enters a 120-day review period by the full Board of Parole Hearings before it is submitted to the governor of California for a final executive review.
