Charles Manson

Sharon Tate's Sister Says Ex-Manson Follower, Leslie Van Houten, Shouldn't be Paroled

"I feel very strongly that she should remain behind bars," Debra Tate told NBC News

AP, File

The sister of slain actress Sharon Tate said she’s doing what she can to make sure convicted Manson Family follower Leslie Van Houten dies behind bars. 

Debra Tate told NBC News she has delivered 138,700 signatures to California Gov. Jerry Brown’s office asking him to deny Van Houten’s parole bid after nearly 50 years in prison. 

"I feel very strongly that she should remain behind bars," Tate said. "It came out at her last parole hearing that she is in communication with Charles Manson."

Van Houten said Manson did write to her, but she turned the mail over to authorities and did not write back. 

Now 66, Van Houten was deemed “suitable for parole” in April by the Board of Parole Hearings. She was convicted along with other cult members of the 1969 killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. She was not part of the crew that killed Tate and four others in a rented home.

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