Patricia Krenwinkel, who was convicted over the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, has been recommended for parole in California for a third time.
The preliminary decision was made on Tuesday, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Her release would not become final until it has been reviewed by the Board of Parole Hearings and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom blocked Krenwinkel’s previous two parole approvals, meaning he could again intervene to keep her in prison. Los Angeles County prosecutors are reportedly expected to urge him to do so.
Krenwinkel, 78, is being held at the California Institution for Women in Corona. She has spent nearly 56 years behind bars, making her the longest-serving female prisoner in California’s prison system.
She was convicted in 1971 for the murders of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski and Steven Parent, as well as Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary.
The parole recommendation places the decision with California’s parole authorities and the governor, who has the power to prevent her release.
