Manson follower Leslie Van Houten released from California prison after 53 years

A file picture of Leslie Van Houten attending a parole hearing at the California Institution for Women on Sept. 6, 2017, in Corona, California. California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Friday (July 7, 2023), that he will not fight a state appeals court decision that Van Houten should be let out on parole. - Photo: AP

CALIFORNIA (Reuters): Leslie Van Houten, once part of the "Manson family" that carried out Charles Manson's orders in a killing spree that terrorised Los Angeles in 1969, was released from prison on parole on Tuesday (July 11) after 53 years, her lawyer said.

Her release had been expected after California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday (July 7) announced he would give up trying to deny parole for Van Houten, 73, who was serving a life sentence.