SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California Gov. Gavin Newsom overruled a parole board’s decision to free Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten on June 4, marking the third time a governor has stopped the release of the youngest member of Manson’s murderous cult.
Van Houten, 69, is still a threat, Newsom said, though she has spent nearly half a century behind bars and received reports of good behavior and testimonials about her rehabilitation.
