History of Leslie Van Houten in Timeline

Leslie Van Houten is an American convicted murderer and former member of the Manson Family. She used aliases such as Louella Alexandria, Leslie Marie Sankston, Linda Sue Owens and Lulu. She was involved in the murders orchestrated by Charles Manson.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 23, 1949: Leslie Van Houten's Birth

On August 23, 1949, Leslie Louise Van Houten was born. She later became a member of the Manson Family.

Others born on this day/year

1967: Graduation from Monrovia High School

In 1967, Leslie Van Houten graduated from Monrovia High School in Monrovia, California.

August 1968: Manson Family Based at Spahn Ranch

From August 1968, Charles Manson and his followers, including Van Houten, were based at the Spahn Ranch.

1968: Meeting Catherine Share and Joining Commune

During the summer of 1968, Van Houten met Catherine Share and Bobby Beausoleil and moved in with them. After some arguments, Share left to join Charles Manson's commune, and Van Houten, then 19, followed Share.

August 9, 1969: Trip to LaBianca House

On August 9, 1969, Van Houten accompanied Tex Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, Linda Kasabian, Susan Atkins, Clem Grogan, and Charles Manson to the house of Rosemary and Leno LaBianca. Manson entered with Watson, then left with Kasabian, Atkins, and Grogan.

1969: Arrest and Charge for LaBianca Murders

In 1969, Van Houten was arrested and charged in connection with the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.

1970: Emphasis on Motive in Prosecution

In 1970, the prosecution emphasized that the motive for the murders had nothing to do with robbery, and that the killers ignored valuable property.

March 29, 1971: Conviction of Murder

On March 29, 1971, Leslie Van Houten was convicted of murder along with other defendants. During the sentencing phase, she testified about a killing she was not involved in, in an attempt to exonerate Manson.

1971: Van Houten's Testimony

In 1971, Van Houten testified about her involvement in the LaBianca murders, admitting to stabbing Rosemary LaBianca multiple times.

1972: Changed Value System

In 1972, Van Houten's attorney argued that her value system was completely different from what it was in 1972.

1972: Death Sentence Commuted to Life Imprisonment

In 1972, Van Houten's death sentence was automatically commuted to life in prison after the California Supreme Court's People v. Anderson decision resulted in the invalidation of all death sentences imposed in California prior to 1972.

1972: Death Sentence Commuted

In 1972, a California Supreme Court ruling found the death penalty unconstitutional, resulting in Van Houten's death sentence being commuted to life in prison.

1975: Moved to General Prison Population

In 1975, the Manson women, including Van Houten, were moved to the general population at the California Institution for Women.

1976: Portrayal in 'Helter Skelter' Film

In 1976, Leslie Van Houten was first portrayed by actress Cathey Paine in the made-for-TV film Helter Skelter.

1976: Conviction Overturned and Retrial Granted

In 1976, an appellate court decision overturned Van Houten's conviction, granting her a retrial.

1977: Retrial Granted Due to Lawyer's Death

In 1977, Van Houten was granted a retrial due to the failure to declare a mistrial when her lawyer, Ronald Hughes, died. The jury in the retrial could not agree on a verdict.

1978: Second Re-Trial and Conviction

In 1978, at Van Houten's second re-trial, the prosecution altered the charges by adding a charge of robbery. She was found guilty of first-degree murder and given a life sentence with parole eligibility.

1985: Steve "Clem" Grogan Freed

In 1985, Steve 'Clem' Grogan, another member of the Manson Family convicted of murder, was freed.

November 8, 1988: Proposition 89 Passed

On November 8, 1988, California governors gained the power to rescind parole decisions after Proposition 89 was passed by voters.

1989: Portrayal in 'The Charlie Manson Story' Play

In 1989, Connie Champagne portrayed Leslie Van Houten in Dude Theater's stage play The Charlie Manson Story, a black comedy that questioned Manson's belief in "Helter Skelter".

2003: Portrayal in 'The Manson Family' Film

In 2003, Amy Yates portrayed Leslie Van Houten in the film The Manson Family.

2004: Denial of Parole Review

In 2004, California Supreme Court Justice Manuel Ramirez denied review of a Court of Appeal ruling upholding Van Houten's denial of parole, noting the prosecutor's suggestion that Manson was attempting to start a racial civil war.

2004: Portrayal in 'Helter Skelter' Remake

In the 2004 remake of the 1976 film Helter Skelter, Leslie Van Houten was portrayed by actress Catherine Wadkins.

2009: 'Leslie, My Name Is Evil' Film Release

In 2009, the film Leslie, My Name Is Evil (also released as Manson Girl and Manson, My Name Is Evil) was released, partially based on Leslie Van Houten's early life, starring Kristen Hager as Van Houten.

2010: Bruce Davis Parole Recommendation

In 2010, Bruce M. Davis, an accomplice of Manson, was given a parole board recommendation for release.

2011: Parole Difficult to Obtain in California

Before 2011, very few inmates with even a single conviction on a charge of murder had been able to obtain parole in California.

2013: Barbara Hoyt speaks at Van Houten's parole hearing

In 2013, Barbara Hoyt spoke at Van Houten's parole hearing, stating that Van Houten was considered a 'leader' in the Family.

2013: 20th Parole Denial

In 2013, Van Houten was denied parole for the 20th time at a hearing.

2013: Expresses remorse at parole hearing

In 2013, at her parole hearing, Van Houten expressed remorse for her crimes.

2015: Character Based on Van Houten in 'Aquarius' Series

In the 2015 NBC fictional series Aquarius, Emma Dumont portrays a character named "Emma", who is loosely based on Leslie Van Houten.

April 14, 2016: Parole Board Recommends Parole, Governor Vetoes

On April 14, 2016, a panel of the California Parole Board recommended granting Van Houten's parole request, but California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the release.

September 29, 2016: Governor's Veto Upheld by Judge

On September 29, 2016, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan upheld the governor's reversal of a parole board's decision to release Van Houten.

October 27, 2016: Tex Watson Denied Parole

On October 27, 2016, Tex Watson, another member of the Manson Family, was denied parole for the 15th time.

2016: Portrayal in 'Manson Girls' Film

In 2016, Tania Raymonde portrayed Leslie Van Houten in Susanna Lo's film Manson Girls.

September 6, 2017: Parole Recommended at 21st Hearing

On September 6, 2017, Van Houten was again recommended for parole at her 21st parole hearing.

November 2017: Charles Manson's Death

In November 2017, Charles Manson, whom Van Houten had long renounced, died in prison.

January 19, 2018: Governor Denies Parole Again

On January 19, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown again denied Van Houten's parole.

June 29, 2018: Parole Vetoed Again

On June 29, 2018, Van Houten's parole was once again vetoed by Judge William C. Ryan.

2018: Portrayal in 'Charlie Says' Movie

Also in 2018, English actress Hannah Murray played Leslie Van Houten in the feature movie Charlie Says.

2018: Portrayal in 'Inside the Manson Cult: The Lost Tapes' Documentary

In 2018, Gabrielle Klobucar portrayed Leslie Van Houten in the made-for-TV documentary Inside the Manson Cult: The Lost Tapes.

January 30, 2019: Parole Recommended for Third Time

On January 30, 2019, during her 22nd parole hearing, Van Houten was recommended for parole for the third time.

June 4, 2019: Governor Newsom Overrules Parole Board

On June 4, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom overruled the parole board's recommendation, claiming Van Houten was still a 'danger to society'.

September 21, 2019: Appeals Court Rules in Governor's Favor

On September 21, 2019, the appeals court panel ruled 2–1 in the governor's favor regarding Van Houten's appeal.

2019: Portrayal in 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'

In 2019, Leslie Van Houten was played by Victoria Pedretti in Quentin Tarantino's film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

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July 23, 2020: Parole Recommended for Fourth Time

On July 23, 2020, Van Houten was recommended for parole for the fourth time at a 23rd parole hearing.

November 9, 2021: Parole Board Recommends Parole Again

On November 9, 2021, Van Houten was again recommended for parole by a parole board.

2021: Van Houten Featured on 'Ear Hustle' Podcast

In 2021, Leslie Van Houten shared her story on the podcast Ear Hustle, in the episode titled 'Home for Me Really is a Memory'.

February 9, 2022: California Supreme Court Rejects Review

On February 9, 2022, the California Supreme Court rejected Van Houten's request for review of the governor's decision to deny her parole.

March 29, 2022: Governor Newsom Overrules Parole Board Recommendation Again

On March 29, 2022, Governor Newsom again overruled the parole board's recommendation for Van Houten.

May 30, 2023: Court Sets Aside Governor's Parole Denial

On May 30, 2023, a California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles overturned Governor Newsom's decision to deny Leslie Van Houten's parole, marking the first instance of a Manson family member having a court rule in their favor regarding a parole recommendation.

July 7, 2023: Governor Newsom Declines to Appeal Parole Decision

On July 7, 2023, Governor Newsom announced that he would not file an appeal with the California Supreme Court to block Leslie Van Houten's parole, paving the way for her release from prison.

July 11, 2023: Van Houten Released on Parole

On July 11, 2023, Leslie Van Houten was released on parole after serving over 52 years in prison, and was transferred to a transitional living facility while subject to parole supervision for up to three years.

July 2023: Watson's Parole Hearing Scheduled

As of July 2023, fellow Manson family member Watson's next parole hearing was scheduled for October 2026, as he remained imprisoned.

2023: Van Houten is paroled

In 2023, after spending 53 years in prison that included two dozen parole hearings and parole rejections by two California governors, Van Houten was paroled.