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June 5'th Parole Consideration Hearing for Leslie Van Houten
" The lack of criminality within her family, her recent ongoing participation and organized activities, the lack of current alcohol or drug problems, her positive attitude regarding her conventions of society, her positive outlook regarding future supervision and treatment, her lack of antisocial mindset. After weighing all of the data from the available records, the clinical interview, and the risk assessment data, it is opined that Ms. Van Houten presents a low risk for violence in the community. And again as I indicated, this was done by Dr. C. Carrera, C-A-R-R-E-R-A, and it was done in March or probably February of 2010."
- DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BENTLEY- from Leslie's 2010 Parole Hearing Transcript.
" Okay. My deepest apologies are given to the family members and friends of Mr. and Mrs. LaBianca. I apologize to you for all the harm and pain I caused your family. Not only did Mr. and Mrs. LaBianca deserve full lives, you should have had them here to share the day-to-day joys and sorrows. I am so sorry. Additionally, I would like to state that I accept full responsibility for my actions as were noted in the Statement of Facts. I understand the enormity of attempting to start a race war during the turbulent 1960s, and I make no excuse for what I have done. My actions August 10th, 1969, were contemptible and they were without justification. I apologize to The People of the State of California along with the people of this country for the fear they experienced until I was arrested and for my disgraceful behavior during the trial of 1971. I equally apologize to those whose cultures and ethnicities I offended by my ignorance and my arrogance. As a rehabilitated woman, I would like to state that the insight I have gained is not meant to excuse any of my acts. Insight is understanding the whys of behaviors so that it will not be repeated. I appreciate this opportunity to make amends to the many I directly and indirectly have offended and harmed. Thank you. "
- Leslie Van Houten- from her 2010 Parole Hearing Transcript.
Whilst reading up over at Cielodrive.com (which is filled with interesting Manson information for those of you who like to read up on details and facts) I noticed that LULU has a parole consideration hearing coming up next month. Now that struck my curiosity button for a couple of reasons. First- LULU has always been the one who people thought had the best chance to get out. Especially LULU. Secondarily, I gotta tell you that LULU has always been my personal favorite. Not becuase she was the cutest or the one I liked the best, but in my personal opinion she is the most interesting. Her steadfast and direct focus on getting out at a certain point has been apparant in every one of her interviews and parole hearings that I watched for the first 20 years of her incarceration after her Death Sentence was commuted. I watched interviews with Leslie when she was in her late 20's where she is laughing and smiling and telling the interviewer exactly how much longer she will be serving according to the " matrix". Some hoped to get out, others fought to get out. LULU EXPECTED TO GET OUT. I have read the Karlene Faith Biography about her which tells how much the prison staff respects her and allowed for her to be smuggled in Ice Cream, and allowed her other little pleasures and special considerations. I have studied the emails from the " Friends of Leslie Van Houten", and understand all the support she has had over the years and maintains today. I have read the positive Psych reports and know her mostly spotless post incarceration record. And do you know what???
In the words of the immortal Clarke Griswold- " I could give a frogs fatass less"
LULU must stay put and pay for the life's SHE PERSONALLY ASKED TO PARTICIPATE in taking!
I have noticed over the last ten years or so that she is finally starting to get it. The reality has sunk in. Bruce getting so close the last couple of tries, and then getting shot down at the last stop has to gnaw at her pretty badly. You now see a person who finally understands the severity of what she has done, and has arrived at the process of discovering the totality of the consequences. But not until fairly recently. So, if you ask me- she is just starting to serve a proper punishment. In reality it still isn't a real justice for the victims families, because unfortunately, the sadness Leslie is finally experiencing is not so much for the loss she has caused to others as much as the mourning of the wasted life she cares about the most.....
Her own....
16 comments:
Whether she is truly sorry or not only she knows for certain. The fact is that because of her actions and choices in life (albeit some time ago)many innocent people suffered and continue to grieve. As Doris Tate said the victims will never get back what was taken from them (their lives). The last moments of the La Bianca's lives don't bare thinking about. Leslie contributed to this and that is what should be remembered.
I couldn't agree with you more, St! Her parole is always denied because of PUNISHMENT, not because of her lack of insight, or self-help programs. Sure, she might truly be sorry, but it isn't about her. It is about plunging a knife 16 or so times into the flesh of another human being, and participating in a blood bath. Mrs. LaBianca had to hear her husband being tortured to death, then go through the same thing. The killers then laughed about Mrs. LaBianca going into eternity with the thought of "what are you doing to my husband?" LVH will not be released, simply because of punishment, nothing else. She is now wishing she hadn't acted so arrogant. She is thinking: I will never go to the beach, I will never get laid (by a man), I will never get to sleep in a nice bed, I will never get to pet an animal (except her roommate's cat), I will never be able to go camping, see wildlife, smell fresh air, eat in a restaurant, go to a museum, etc. Was it worth it, Leslie?
I see how Leslie was kind enough to retrace the impact of her crime and apologize to the victim’s families and go on to outline how she has changed. Umm….. not so much.
She forgot the squandering of funds the state had to throw down in order to prosecute her for a crime she knew full well she had committed. The long term costs of having to supervise her every action, house, and feed her through what is already a long and utterly pointless life. She didn’t do this once but three times in total.
First was the circus freak show which she participated in and drew the nation’s attention, and rightfully fuelled shock and dismay. After the suspension of the death penalty she was given a life sentence as a sort of prize for good timing. Next the plodding and inexplicable wheels of justice granted her a new trial since her lawyer from the first trial died (something the Family took credit for) and was granted a new trial in 1977. Oddly she makes no mention of this time period in her summation of contrition and shame.
She did what any sorry and ‘changed person’ would do and pleaded NOT GUILTY and put the victims through a second trial which resulted in a hung jury. Unfazed, in fact delighted, by the results of the second trial which split on murder versus manslaughter, she opted for a third attempt rather than plead guilty and let the court affix a penalty.
During the third trial, Leslie was apparently unaware of the grief or sorrow she was putting the victim’s families through, yet again, in favor of self interest and a sputtering judicial system. By July 1978 a jury found her guilty again, some nine years after the LaBianca murders.
Perhaps she became a new ‘different person’ after 1978? Three chances to take personal responsibility over nine years eliminated the young and confused excuse, along with the first being a ‘different person’ declaration. All of this followed by some revisionist telling of deep sorrow which ignores her actions during a fortuitous second and third trial leaves me a little less than sympathetic to her cause.
When Leslie sees other people being released after serving less time for similar crimes, she must feel like she went and stabbed the w-r-o-n-g person.
I'm sure she is sorry, and in a way I feel sad that she won't get out and enjoy her rehabilitated life on the outside. But as others have pointed out, she's still being punished.
Where does all this "she's ok let's let her out now" stuff come from? Is this like, Oprah shit or something? Fuck that noise. This is crime & punishment.
You went too far over the line Leslie, and now you can't come back over. Make the most of your time in there...write a book...do somthing.
Does anyone have or know where one can find the most recent picture of Leslie? I believe that the one that I have seen quite a bit recently with her all gray hair is a couple of years old.
Professor:
to my knowledge they release new pics when they have parole hearings so 2010 would have been the most recent until we get another peak in June...
Thanks St. I trust both your wisdom and your judgement on all things related to these subject matters. :)
If she were convicted of having a secondary role, at the age of 19, in a less publicized murder, with victims of less means, and had her background and her dedication to becoming whole and rehabilitated, were all properly judged,she would have been released in ten years.
Public sentiment and media scrutiny trumps all things in America.....even, it seems, the rule of law.
Well said, TomG.
It is well said and fair to point out-
as well it is fair to point out- this WAS NOT just any crime and she is the only one I can find any actual proof-
ASKED TO PARTICIPATE!!!
She had seen the first night all over the TV by then, and had to know it was a big deal. Yet she wanted in. that makes her a little different I would argue. She asked for what she got literally.
As well- I would argue she was dedicated to getting out and not rehabilitating.
she was comfortable that she would be doing some time - but it is the consensus of all if she stays out of trouble- she will walk at some point. This is- to me- her real incentive for the good behavior...
Her statement sounds like a lawyer crafted attempt to cover all the bases- not a heartfelt sincere apology.
at least this is how I see it...
Personally, I'd like to see her sprung just to witness the media brouhaha that would ensue.
With our current media cycles it would be big news for a few days...
until...
Lindsay Lohan no shows for rehab and hits someone with her car, or Charlie Sheen gets high and goes after another stripper, or some politician gets caught cheating/stealing, or someone walks into a school and starts shooting, or some asshole sets off a bomb, or we go to war with Syria/Iran/North Korea, or Kanye leaves Kim....
Sigh
There is just so much good stuff in the news today- you wonder how long she would get the spotlight to herself???
If I go out to California, which I won't, but if I did....
And if I went to the big CIW to visit the big LVH, I can guarantee everyone this one thing..
Baby walks out the door with me. These Taco Bell eating half Hispanic half Marco Rubio Republican Correctional Officers could try to stop us. Sign this, scan that, but you know what?
Baby walks out the door with me. Chino baby! We rock that town! Rock it inside out.
Wow, where has the time gone? Seems like her last parole hearing was not that long ago.
well, is it rehabilitation or punishment that our justice system is supposed to deal out?
Now do I think she is innocent? no I do not! but her life has been taken away from her, no man, no children sorta of a life she might have but I do think of them all, she has paid her debt , so if interested sign a petition and get her paroled
http://www.petition2congress.com/9848/leslie-van-houten-approve-parole-state-california/?src=widget
thank you
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