Van Houten Parole Hearing (1992 and 1996) Leslie Van Houten is considered a model prisoner. During her more than two decades in prison, she has earned a college degree, quit drugs and alcohol, received glowing reports from supervisors and psychiatrists and renounced any affiliation with Charles Manson and his family. But should she be released from prison? Van Houten, who is serving a life sentence, asked the parole board to judge her on her actions in the last 25 years and not just those two nights in August 1969. She was convicted of first-degree murder in the slayings of Los Angeles businesssman Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary, and conspiracy in the deaths of Sharon Tate and four others. The state opposed parole, arguing the Manson murders were among the worst in this country's history and that society simply does not want anyone involved released from prison. Verdict Van Houten was denied parole.