πŸ’€πŸ”“ “From Manson’s Grip to Grandma’s Knit – A Murderer Set Free, You Cool With It?”

TL;DR; πŸ”
No more hide-and-seek for Leslie Van Houten, one of Manson’s infamous family members convicted in the ’69 murders. After chilling behind bars for over five decades, she’s about to feel the sweet, sunny taste of parole, says her attorney. Gov. Newsom, who earlier blocked her parole, isn’t throwing any more legal challenges. So, Van Houten – at a ripe age of 73, deemed no longer a menace to society, is about to get a taste of freedom. But is society ready to accept her? πŸ€”

πŸ“° Full Saga

If there ever was a real-life version of “Orange Is the New Black,” Leslie Van Houten could play a leading role. A disciple of the infamous Charles Manson, she’s spent more than five decades in the calaboose for a couple of murders. She’s seen the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and the new millennium pass by, from behind those drab, prison walls. But now? It seems freedom bells are chiming for ol’ Leslie, according to her lawyer, Nancy Tetreault. πŸ›οΈπŸŽ‰

Surely this would be a moment of joy for any inmate. But when you’re a member of the notorious Manson Family, does this news stir a cocktail of joy and dread? Or does society’s memory span far back enough to recall the horrendous crimes committed by this cult, now shifting uncomfortably in their seats? πŸ˜³πŸ’­

This news wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for our dear Governor Newsom. Known for his resilience in keeping Van Houten from tasting freedom, he decided to throw in the towel this time around. He had until Monday to file a challenge with the Supreme Court, but it appears the Gov’s had a change of heart. So what led to this sudden turn of events? πŸ”„πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ

Van Houten has been convicted, along with other Manson cult members, for the ruthless murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca back in the summer of ’69. The death sentence initially slapped on her was later overturned, and she’s since been on an extended ‘vacation’ in state prison. Over this extended stay, she’s visited the parole board over 20 times, with five nods for parole since 2016. But each time, Gov. Newsom and his predecessor Jerry Brown played the veto card. πŸš«βœ‹

In that fatal August of 1969, Manson and a cult member gate-crashed the LaBianca residence, binding the couple before instructing Van Houten and another cult member to follow the ominous orders of Charles “Tex” Watson. The result? The LaBiancas were murdered in cold blood. The day prior saw the horrific slaying of actress Sharon Tate and others at her home. While Manson left us in 2017, Watson is still serving his sentence. πŸ”ͺπŸ’”

Tetreault insists Van Houten poses no danger anymore, stating that she’s a sweet old lady who’s been working on her rehabilitation and therapy for years. She asserts there’s no evidence of her client’s potential menace to society. But the question that begs to be asked is: can society truly accept and integrate a notorious cult murderer back into its fold? πŸ§“πŸ’ΌπŸ‘΅

So, there you have it, folks. A gripping tale of crime, punishment, and the tantalizing promise of redemption. But this saga leaves us with an unsettling query. Can we truly believe in reform and offer a second chance, even to those who have committed heinous crimes? After all, isn’t society all about forgiveness and second chances? Or does the severity of the crime draw a line? Let’s chat, where do you stand on this?πŸ€·β€β™€οΈπŸ’­πŸ’¬