Sacramento, Calif. • A California parole panel on Thursday recommended for the first time that Charles Manson follower Robert Beausoleil be freed after serving nearly a half-century in prison for murder.
Beausoleil, 71, was not involved in the most notorious killings of actress Sharon Tate and six others by the Manson “family” in 1969. He was convicted in the slaying of musician Gary Hinman that same year.
Hinman was tortured for three days, according to testimony at previous parole hearings, including when Manson cut his face with a sword.
California’s incoming governor, Gavin Newsom, could block the parole in coming months.