Leslie Van Houten was originally sentenced to death. So why was she up for parole?

To the editor: It is beyond my comprehension that Leslie Van Houten, a former follower of Charles Manson, has been considered at all for parole. (“Gov. Jerry Brown denies parole for former Manson family member,” July 22)

In 1971, Manson and some of his “family” members were given the death penalty for their crimes. Capital punishment was later overturned in California, and they were given life imprisonment.

Obviously, Van Houten’s life has not ended, so how can she be up for parole? I know she had retrials, but this does not take away from the enormity of her crime.

Apparently we give more kindness to the criminals than we do the victims.

Pat Beattie, Santa Barbara

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To the editor: I was deeply saddened to learn that Gov. Jerry Brown denied Van Houten parole. Brown aspires to leave a legacy of prison reform and restorative justice, but his decision contradicts that goal and misses a tremendous opportunity to teach by example.

Van Houten exemplifies the power of rehabilitation. If a spotless prison record, 46 years served, bachelor’s and master’s degrees and running self-help groups aren’t enough, then what should motivate those who are locked up to make any attempt at rehabilitation? We don’t even expect that much from people in the free world.

Robin McCarthy, Los Angeles

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