"Charles Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten Released on Parole After 53 Years"

Leslie Van Houten, a follower of Charles Manson, has been released from a California prison after serving over 50 years of a life sentence for her involvement in two notorious murders. Van Houten, who was originally sentenced to death but later had her sentence commuted to life in prison, participated in the killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in 1969. After multiple parole recommendations, her release was initially blocked by Governor Gavin Newsom, but a state appeals court ruled in her favor. Van Houten, now in her 70s, will spend about a year in transitional housing and hopes to find employment.