"Charles Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten Freed After Prison Release"

Leslie Van Houten, a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson, has been released from a California prison after serving over 50 years for her involvement in the brutal killings of a Los Angeles couple in 1969. Van Houten, now 73, was granted parole after multiple recommendations and a successful appeal. She will spend about a year in transitional housing before adjusting to a world vastly changed by technology. Van Houten, who earned degrees while in prison, hopes to find employment and rebuild her life. The release has caused heartbreak for the victims' families, who still feel the impact of the Manson cult's crimes.