Charles Manson Denied Parole for the 12th Time

For the 12th time, and possibly the last, mass murderer Charles Manson Wednesday lost a bid to be released on parole.

As has become his habit, the 77-year-old Manson did not attend the hearing at Corcoran State Prison, where he is serving a life prison term, although an attorney attended on his behalf.

Manson had been denied parole 11 times previously, with the board determining that he continues to present a danger to the public and noting that he repeatedly disregarded instructions from the board. His last parole hearing was in 2007.

Manson and his "family" members who lived at the Spahn Ranch in Chatsworth, were convicted for the Aug. 9, 1969, murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others in the rented Benedict Canyon home of Tate and her husband, director Roman Polanski, who was out of the country. Tate was eight months pregnant at the time.

Manson was not actually present, but ordered the slayings.

A day later, the group struck again -- stabbing to death grocery store chain owner Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, in their Los Feliz-area home.

Manson was convicted of first degree-murder and conspiracy in the killings.

Also convicted were Charles "Tex" Watson, Patricia Krenwinkle and Susan Atkins. A third woman, Leslie Van Houten, was convicted of the murders of LaBianca and his wife, along with a conspiracy charge.

The murderers left bloody messages at both crime scenes, in what authorities believe was an effort to start a race war.

The five defendants were spared the death penalty in 1972 when the state Supreme Court overturned capital punishment.

According to the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Manson will not be eligible for another parole hearing for 15 years, when he will be 92 years old.

-- City News Service