Van Houten was one of several killers convicted along with Manson in 1971 for a murder spree that terrifed southern California.
Nick Ut/AP
Leslie Van Houten was recommended for parole Thursday.
Former Charles Manson goon and convicted murderer Leslie Van Houtenwas recommended for parole Thursday — meaning she might become the first from the group to leave prison.
Van Houten was one of several killers convicted along with Manson in 1971 for a murder spree that terrifed southern California. Today, Manson and most members of his killer "family" face litle to no chance of seeing the mercy Van Houten may receive.
Even the one Manson devotees who previously earned a parole recommendation saw their chances for freedom vetoed — which may happen to Van Houten, as well.
Also, one of the convicts is dead anyway.
Here’s where the members of the Manson family stand today:
The raving ringleader, now 81, will likely never leave prison in this lifetime or the next few. He is serving nine concurrent life sentences at Corcoran State Prison in Corcoran, Calif., although he remains eligible for parole
He has been denied parole 12 times and will not be considered for it again until 2027, when he would be 92.
AP
Charles Manson being escorted into an arraignment in 1969.
But he still manages to rant and rave enough to keep himself in the news every once in a while. Most recently, he tried to marry his millennial girlfriend Afton (Star) Burton — but let the marriage license expire.
Unlike Van Houten — who admitted to personally attacking the victims — Manson himself did not kill anyone. He was convicted of conspiracy for sicing his sick followers on unsuspecting victims.
Krenwinkel, 68, has been denied parole 13 times, with her next chance coming in 2018.
Krenwinkel and Van Houten, who are both locked up in the California Institution for Women in Chino, Calif., are the longest-incarcerated female inmates in the state.
Known as “Sexy Sadie” in her swinging serial killer days, Atkins was convicted for her role in eight deaths. She was denied parole 18 times before dying of natural causes in 2009, at 61, becoming the first and only Manson killer so far to die behind bars.
Serving a life sentence for his confessed killing of musician Gary Hinman, Watson has been recommended for parole three times — but never received it.