Leslie Van Houten, convicted of two murders as a member of Charles Manson’s cult in 1969, will soon be freed after more than five decades in prison, her lawyer told AFP.

Originally sentenced to death, Van Houten will be granted parole after more than 50 years in prison

“She will be released on parole in the coming weeks,” Nancy Tetro said on Friday, according to News.ro.

The governor of California made it clear that he would not be against this dismissal.

In the summer of 1969, members of Charles Manson’s satanic cult went on a rampage in California, committing at least nine brutal murders. Among their victims was actress and model Sharon Tate, who was then married to director Roman Polanski.

Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, now 73, was convicted of murdering a couple, Leno and Rosemary Labianca, in their Los Angeles home in August 1969. She was initially sentenced to death, a sentence that was later overturned, leading to two more trials and a life sentence.

Her lawyer welcomed her impending release. “She’s thrilled, of course, but more than that, she’s happy that her hard work to reintegrate into society has been recognized by the (penitentiary) administration and the court, who have concluded that she does not pose a risk to public safety at this time,” – Tetro explained.

Ex-follower of Charles Manson received her master’s degree in prison

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose request to have his release dismissed three times in court, will not oppose his release this time, his spokesman said.

“The governor is disappointed by the appeals court’s decision to release Van Houten, but will take no further action given the slim chance of success,” Erin Mallon said.

The victims’ families are still “feeling the brutal impact” of the Manson family murders, she added.

Leslie Van Houten’s psychological evaluation, carried out as part of her parole application, indicated that her behavior in prison had been “virtually impeccable”, but that she may have felt anxious about her bad reputation at the time. After her release from prison, she “intends to continue her work as an educator, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in prison,” her attorney said.