Ex-Manson disciple denied parole

FRONTERA, Calif. -- A parole board refused Friday to grant freedom to former Manson disciple Leslie Van Houten after a lengthy hearing at which she said she would always bear the sorrow of the cult killings that landed her in prison 33 years ago.

The ruling came after a prosecutor and the family of the victims urged the Board of Prison Terms never to grant parole to the now 52-year-old woman who was described as a model prisoner.

"This was a cruel and calculated murder," said Sharon Lawin, the board commissioner who chaired the hearing.

It was Van Houten's 14th appearance before the parole board, and had been considered her best chance yet of winning release.

Charles Manson, his chief lieutenant Charles "Tex" Watson and three women -- Van Houten, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkle -- were convicted and sentenced to death for their roles in the 1969 slayings of actress Sharon Tate, Leno and Rosemary La Bianca, and four others.

The sentences were later commuted to life when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in the 1970s.

All five Manson "family" members are still behind bars.

The board commended Van Houten's behavior in prison -- from working as a chapel clerk to making audio tapes to help other inmates -- but Lawin said those positive aspects "do not yet outweigh the factors of unsuitability."