Leslie Van Houten: Has Justice Been Served?
Jul 19, 2023, 01:00 AM
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In an ill-conceived twist of judicial decisions that have left many cynical and aghast, Leslie Van Houten, former acolyte of the notorious Charles Manson, has been set free, leaving us questioning whether justice has truly been served.
Van Houten, convicted for her part in the notorious Manson family murders, has been paroled after almost half a century behind bars. This decision represents a dangerous precedent, a slap in the face to the memory of the victims, and a stark reminder of a justice system that can often seem more concerned with the welfare of the criminal than the pain and suffering of the victims and their families.
Van Houten, just a teenager when she participated in the brutal slayings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in 1969, has reportedly been a "model prisoner." She earned two college degrees during her imprisonment and even chaired the prison's self-help programming. Admirable accomplishments, perhaps, if one can momentarily forget the bloody legacy she left outside the prison walls.
The parole board's decision to release Van Houten appears to be grounded in the belief that she has been rehabilitated. She apologized, expressed remorse, and evidently turned her life around. Yet, one cannot help but ask, does a transformed life in prison wipe the slate clean? Can any number of prison programs or degrees earned absolve someone of such gruesome crimes?
The board's decision has been met with a chilling reception, understandably so. It's as though the gruesome memories of the Manson family's reign of terror have been dismissed, relegated to mere footnotes of the past. It's a move that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and a cold pit in the stomach, fueling a nagging sense of disquiet and disillusionment with the system.
Families of the victims are left with the raw, open wound of their loss, only further aggravated by Van Houten's release. They must grapple with their ongoing grief and the painful reality that the woman who played a role in the violent death of their loved ones now walks free.
And what of the broader societal implications? The message this sends to victims of violent crime is chilling. It signals that even the most heinous criminals can walk free and that the horrors they've inflicted can be seemingly forgotten.
If Van Houten has truly changed and truly regrets her actions, then perhaps her freedom is her worst punishment. She will now have to live in a world that knows what she has done and will never forget or forgive. Yet, the fact remains: for the families of the LaBiancas and for those who still shudder at the memory of the Manson family's bloody rampage, this is not justice. This is a macabre parody of it.
In the end, the cynical echo of Van Houten's release underscores a disturbing reality: in our judicial system, it seems, even the most brutal crimes can be forgiven, the most horrifying pasts rehabilitated, and justice, it appears, can be a woefully malleable term.
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Van Houten, convicted for her part in the notorious Manson family murders, has been paroled after almost half a century behind bars. This decision represents a dangerous precedent, a slap in the face to the memory of the victims, and a stark reminder of a justice system that can often seem more concerned with the welfare of the criminal than the pain and suffering of the victims and their families.
Van Houten, just a teenager when she participated in the brutal slayings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in 1969, has reportedly been a "model prisoner." She earned two college degrees during her imprisonment and even chaired the prison's self-help programming. Admirable accomplishments, perhaps, if one can momentarily forget the bloody legacy she left outside the prison walls.
The parole board's decision to release Van Houten appears to be grounded in the belief that she has been rehabilitated. She apologized, expressed remorse, and evidently turned her life around. Yet, one cannot help but ask, does a transformed life in prison wipe the slate clean? Can any number of prison programs or degrees earned absolve someone of such gruesome crimes?
The board's decision has been met with a chilling reception, understandably so. It's as though the gruesome memories of the Manson family's reign of terror have been dismissed, relegated to mere footnotes of the past. It's a move that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and a cold pit in the stomach, fueling a nagging sense of disquiet and disillusionment with the system.
Families of the victims are left with the raw, open wound of their loss, only further aggravated by Van Houten's release. They must grapple with their ongoing grief and the painful reality that the woman who played a role in the violent death of their loved ones now walks free.
And what of the broader societal implications? The message this sends to victims of violent crime is chilling. It signals that even the most heinous criminals can walk free and that the horrors they've inflicted can be seemingly forgotten.
If Van Houten has truly changed and truly regrets her actions, then perhaps her freedom is her worst punishment. She will now have to live in a world that knows what she has done and will never forget or forgive. Yet, the fact remains: for the families of the LaBiancas and for those who still shudder at the memory of the Manson family's bloody rampage, this is not justice. This is a macabre parody of it.
In the end, the cynical echo of Van Houten's release underscores a disturbing reality: in our judicial system, it seems, even the most brutal crimes can be forgiven, the most horrifying pasts rehabilitated, and justice, it appears, can be a woefully malleable term.
Want to listen to ALL our Podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for 3 days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on: Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com