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On Tuesday, Van Houten, a Charles Manson follower, was released from a California prison after 53 years, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed to multiple outlets.

Van Houten has served 48 years in prison and became eligible for parole in 1979. Earlier this month, she was denied parole for the 20th time despite a parole board recommendation.

Leslie Van Houten, 72, was convicted for taking part in the murders of a California couple in 1969 when she was 19 You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an ...