Full Breakdown
Patricia Krenwinkel’s Third Parole Recommendation Sparks Governor Review
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Preliminary Parole Granted After 57 Years
On October 6, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recorded a preliminary parole recommendation for Patricia Krenwinkel, 78, at her 18th suitability hearing. The recommendation follows two earlier board approvals that were each overturned by Governor Gavin Newsom. Krenwinkel remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Women in Corona while the Board of Parole Hearings conducts a 120-day review, after which the governor has an additional 30 days to act.
Background & Context: 1969 Tate-LaBianca Murders and Sentencing
Krenwinkel, then 21, participated in the August 1969 murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others, as well as the killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. She was convicted in 1971 of seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy. Originally sentenced to death, her penalty was commuted to life imprisonment after the California Supreme Court invalidated all death sentences imposed before 1972.
Data & Statistics
- Incarceration length: 57 years.
- Parole hearings: 18 suitability hearings, with three board approvals.
- Prior board approvals: May 2022 and May 30 2025, both reversed by the governor.
- Age at time of crime: 21; current age: 78.
Official Statements & Responses
CDCR emphasized that “all grants of parole are proposed decisions and become final only after a thorough and comprehensive review by the Board of Parole Hearings and the Governor.” The department noted that parole decisions for murder convictions require a 120-day board review followed by a 30-day gubernatorial period, and that a reversal would trigger a new hearing within 18 months.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office indicated it would recommend that the governor maintain the denial, citing public-safety concerns.
Debra Tate, sister of Sharon Tate, has urged that Krenwinkel remain incarcerated, describing the murders as “horrible, gruesome, random killings.”
Criticism & Opposition
Victims’ advocates and the Tate family have organized an online petition that has amassed more than 100,000 signatures since 2016, arguing that releasing a “serial killer” would undermine justice for the victims. Prosecutors echo this view, stating that Krenwinkel’s role as an “enforcer of Mr. Manson’s tyranny” demonstrates a continued threat to public safety.
Verbatim Quotes
- “All grants of parole are proposed decisions and become final only after a thorough and comprehensive review by the Board of Parole Hearings and the Governor,” — CDCR
- “When considered as a whole, the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time,” — Gavin Newsom, governor
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Both figures appear in official CDCR filings, but the discrepancy has not been clarified by the parole board.
What’s Next
The Board of Parole Hearings will complete its review by the end of the 120-day period. Governor Newsom then has 30 days to either affirm the board’s recommendation or issue a reversal. Should the governor reverse the decision, CDCR states that Krenwinkel would be scheduled for a new hearing within 18 months. The outcome will influence ongoing debates about parole for elderly inmates convicted of high-profile violent crimes.