On July 11, 2023, Leslie Van Houten- a member of the Manson family was released from prison after serving over 50 years of a life sentence in the Manson Family murders. She is the first follower of deceased cult leader Charles Manson to walk free in this case. But what is this story about? And who is Charles Manson? Watch Dark World with Harshit Sabarwal on WION.

Leslie Van Houten released: Recalling horrors of Manson Family murders

Leslie Van Houten, convicted murderer and former member of the Manson Family cult, was released from prison on parole on Tuesday (July 12) after 53 years.&nbsp;

Van Houten was once part of the Manson Family that carried out its leader Charles Manson's orders and went on a killing spree in 1969.

She was charged with a double murder which terrorised the entire Los Angeles.&nbsp;

That was one of at least nine killings carried out by members of the Manson cult in the city that year.&nbsp;

She remained in prison as the court ruled in 1972 that the death penalty was unconstitutional, hence she was sentenced to life in prison.&nbsp;

However, her release had been expected after California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday announced he would give up trying to deny parole for the 73-year-old.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-leslie-van-houten-manson-family-murderer-will-be-paroled-as-gov-newsom-drops-fight-613370">Who is Leslie Van Houten? Manson family murderer will be paroled after spending 52 years in prison</a>&nbsp;

In the latest veto in 2022, Newsom argued that Van Houten could still be a danger to society. However, the appeal judges overturned the veto in May, stating that "there is no evidence to support the Governor's conclusions," and ruling in favour of her release.&nbsp;

Last week, a spokeswoman for Newsom said he was "disappointed" by the court's decision to release but would "not pursue further action as efforts to further appeal are unlikely to succeed".&nbsp;

In the latest development, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said that Van Houten was released "to parole supervision".&nbsp;

Lawyer Nancy Tetreault said that Van Houten was released "early this morning to parole and is safely at her transitional living facility".

Tetreault told the news agency AFP: "She will spend a year in transitional living developing skills for dealing with a world that has changed greatly in the past five decades."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wastewater-testing-reveals-most-popular-drugs-in-major-australian-cities-614525">Wastewater testing reveals most popular drugs in major Australian cities</a>&nbsp;

<h2>What did she do?&nbsp;</h2>

Van Houten was 19 years old when she joined Manson's "family" - responsible for a bizarre plot to commit murders across Los Angeles in hopes of sparking a race war.

Manson, who led his gang to murder heavily pregnant actor Sharon Tate and her friends in the killing spree, died in prison in 2017.&nbsp;

While Van Houten was not involved in those murders, she has admitted to participating in further killings by the group on the following night, during which she stabbed Rosemary LaBianca, a grocer's wife, up to 16 times.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Leslie Van Houten, convicted murderer and former member of the Manson Family cult, was released from prison on parole on Tuesday (July 12) after 53 years. Van Houten was once part of the Manson Family that carried out its leader Charles Manson's orders and went on a killing spree in 1969.

Leslie Van Houten, convicted murderer and former member of the Manson Family cult, was released from prison on parole on Tuesday (July 12) after 53 years. Van Houten was once part of the Manson Family that carried out its leader Charles Manson's orders and went on a killing spree in 1969. She was charged with a double murder which terrorised the entire Los Angeles. That was one of at least nine killings carried out by members of the Manson cult in the city that year. She remained in prison as the court ruled in 1972 that the death penalty was unconstitutional, hence she was sentenced to life in prison. However, her release had been expected after California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday announced he would give up trying to deny parole for the 73-year-old. Also read: Who is Leslie Van Houten? Manson family murderer will be paroled after spending 52 years in prison In the latest veto in 2022, Newsom argued that Van Houten could still be a danger to society. However, the appeal judges overturned the veto in May, stating that "there is no evidence to support the Governor's conclusions," and ruling in favour of her release. Last week, a spokeswoman for Newsom said he was "disappointed" by the court's decision to release but would "not pursue further action as efforts to further appeal are unlikely to succeed". In the latest development, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said that Van Houten was released "to parole supervision". Lawyer Nancy Tetreault said that Van Houten was released "early this morning to parole and is safely at her transitional living facility". Tetreault told the news agency AFP: "She will spend a year in transitional living developing skills for dealing with a world that has changed greatly in the past five decades." Also read: Wastewater testing reveals most popular drugs in major Australian cities What did she do? Van Houten was 19 years old when she joined Manson's "family" - responsible for a bizarre plot to commit murders across Los Angeles in hopes of sparking a race war. Manson, who led his gang to murder heavily pregnant actor Sharon Tate and her friends in the killing spree, died in prison in 2017. While Van Houten was not involved in those murders, she has admitted to participating in further killings by the group on the following night, during which she stabbed Rosemary LaBianca, a grocer's wife, up to 16 times. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Manson Family murders: Disciple Leslie Van Houten released from prison on parole after 53 years

Charles Manson the American cult head who terrorized Los Angeles in 1969 is back in the news again because a member of the so-called Manson family has been let out of jail. Leslie Van Houten was only 19 years old when she followed Manson's orders and went on a killing spree. After her conviction, she spent 53 years in prison. In May a California appeals court overruled the Californian government and found that Van Houten was entitled to parole.

Californian court grants parole to Manson Murderer Leslie Van Houten