Charles Manson

Barbara Hoyt was once a devoted follower of Charles Manson, but after fleeing the group in terror she'd later testify against Manson and other group members linked to the brutal murders of actress Sharon Tate and her friends.

The nephew of a man murdered by the Manson Family said that Van Houten's prison release "profoundly impacts" the victims' families, calling her "a cold-blooded killer in one of the most notorious murder rampages in U.S. history."

They were the nightmare opposite of the hippie ideal of peace, love and happiness. 

Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders. 

Leslie Van Houten has been recommended for parole five times since 2016, only to have her release stopped by California's governor.

Patricia Krenwinkle was convicted for her parts in the murders of Abigail Folger at Sharon Tate's home and grocer Leno LaBianca in 1969.

Patricia Krenwinkel, who was convicted for her role in the Manson Family killings of Rosemary and Leno LaBianca and those at Sharon Tate's home, is the latest elderly former Manson follow to receive a parole recommendation in California. Sharon Tate's surviving sister opposes all of them.

Leslie Van Houten, 72, who stabbed Rosemary LaBianca 16 times in 1969 on Manson Family orders, has applied for parole 21 times since 1982. It's the fifth time a governor of California has overruled a recommendation for her parole.

Leslie Van Houten was among a group of Charles Manson's followers who broke into the home of Rosemary and Leno LaBianca on Aug. 10, 1969 and viciously slaughtered the couple.

"These hearings are very hard on her," Leslie Van Houten’s appeals lawyer, Rich Pfeiffer stated. It was the fifth time since 2016 that the 72-year-old former Manson Family follower has been recommended for parole.