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Patricia Krenwinkel

January 21, 2011 by · Comments Off on Patricia Krenwinkel 

Patricia Krenwinkel, (AP) – A panel of parole board refused to consider releasing Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel Thursday, saying the 1969 brutal murders Sharon Tate still “remain valid.”

Krenwinkel, who was jailed more than any other woman in California, said she threw all the good in itself and became a “monster” after he met Manson.

The two commissioners made clear that was the horror of the massacres, the most famous of the 20th century, which led to reject the bid for parole despite efforts Krenwinkel to change his life.

They said that the atrocious murders of seven people had touched the world – reflected in the letters that arrived from around the world asking that it be kept behind bars – and said Krenwinkel not understand that.

“These crimes remain relevant,” said Susan Melanson Parole Commissioner. “The public is in fear.”

Melanson and Deputy Commissioner Steven Hernandez issued their decision after a hearing of four hours or more an hour of deliberations during which Krenwinkel cried, apologized for his acts of murder and said she was ashamed of his actions.

Family members of victims also wept and recalled their suffering after the murders and asked for her to remain behind bars. Melanson said the notoriety of their wickedness and crimes weighed heavily in the decision.

“The commission concludes that it is not suitable for parole and will present an unreasonable risk if released, she said. She said that the seven murders over two nights could be classified as a hate crime because of suggestions killers want to foment a race war.

“It was a depraved act by a group of individuals who are struggling to explain their actions,” she said.

The committee had the opportunity to deny parole for 15 years. Melanson said that they felt useless and was congratulated Krenwinkle to make progress in his life behind bars, participating in programs for self-help and other contributions.

She said she could request a parole hearing earlier if the situation changes.

Krenwinkel said she sought the approval of Manson when she took part in the massacres.

For Melanson said: “The court finds it difficult to believe that a person can participate at this level of crime and can not identify anything, but I wanted him to love me.”

Krenwinkel, one of two survivors Manson’s female disciples, has maintained a record in his own prison of four decades behind bars.

During his hearing, the 63-year-old was soft-spoken and contrite in response to questions from council members, describing the downward spiral of his life after he met Manson.

“Everything was good and decent in me I threw,” she said.

It was her father, she says, which helped achieve during his visits to her in prison, “what happened, and I became a monster.”

She said she told people she counsels in jail, “I am someone you never wanted to be, and here are the steps to never go into dark places, I was “.

Krenwinkel request that she is rehabilitated was met by anger and opposition from Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Patrick Sequeira and families of victims, who were in favor of the continued incarceration of Krenwinkel.

“If it really was remorseful, she would not come to these parole hearings, saying:” I accept the penalty, “said Sequeira.

Debra Tate, Sharon Tate’s sister, then in tears, described the pain his family endured the killings. She denounced Krenwinkel to never having written a letter of apology to the families.

“I believe in the human condition is capable of change,” said Tate. “I believe in the possibility of reform. But I know what I look, and I do not see that here.”

She told the board through the tears, “Whatever decision you make I’ll live with it. But every time I sit in this chair, I think, what happens if they leave? What does society do? ”

Anthony Di Maria, the nephew of Jay Sebring, who was killed along with Tate, said throughout his speech to the council, and told the parole hearing “we refer to hell, year after year.”

“I would have to give forgiveness,” said Di Maria.

Krenwinkel was convicted with Manson and two other women disciples in seven murders in 1969, is among the most famous crimes of the 20th century.

None of those convicted has ever been released on parole and one of them, Susan Atkins, who died in prison last year after being refused compassionate release when she was terminally ill with a cancer.

Leslie Van Houten, 61, the youngest of the convicted women, has long been believed to be the most likely to secure the release possible. But she denied a parole date last summer by officials who said she had not acquired sufficient knowledge in his crimes.

Parole boards have repeatedly cited the harshness, viciousness and calculation of the murders committed by members of the Manson family.

Krenwinkel admitted during his trial that she chased and stabbed heiress Abigail Folger at Tate on August 9, 1969, and participated in the stabbing death Leno and Rosemary LaBianca night. Both houses have been cleared with bloody scrawlings. She was convicted with Manson, Van Houten and Atkins. Another defendant, Charles “Tex” Watson was convicted in a separate trial.

All were sentenced to death but their sentences were commuted to life when the U.S. Supreme Court briefly banned the death penalty in 1972.

In his 40 years at the California Institution for Women, earned a bachelor Krenwinkel and participated in many self-help programs and teaching illiterate prisoners to read. In recent years she has been involved in a program to train service dogs for people with disabilities.

Asked to make his own final cause of the commission, Krenwinkel wept profusely, wiping his eyes with a handkerchief, and said: “I am haunted every day by the endless suffering of the victims, the extent and degree of suffering, I did. ”

His voice rising in the silent room, she almost shouted: “I am so ashamed of my actions. The victims had so much life to live. ”

Cult leader Manson, now 75, refused to appear at his most recent parole hearing where he was refused a release date, and he probably will never be published.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

A jury in California denied a follower of Charles Manson cult leader parole after serving 40 years in prison for his role in the murders of Sharon Tate.

The parole board said 63-year-old Patricia Krenwinkel would not be eligible for parole again for seven years.

The panel said they were influenced by the crimes committed, including 80 letters that came from around the world urging continued incarceration of Krenwinkel.

Krenwinkel was convicted with Manson and two other disciples women over seven murders in 1969, is among the most famous crimes of the 20th century.

She was imprisoned more than any other woman in California.

Hollywood star Tate and four others were found brutally murdered at his home in Los Angeles.

Tate, wife of Roman Polanski, was eight months pregnant at the time.

Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

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