Parole Board Recommends Parole For Manson Family Killer

LOS ANGELES, CA — A California Board of Parole Hearings panel Thursday recommended parole for former Charles Manson follower Robert Kenneth Beausoleil, who was among those convicted of a musician's 1969 stabbing death, according to published reports.

The 71-year-old, whose parole suitability hearing was held at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville where he is incarcerated, was initially sentenced to death for the July 26, 1969, slaying of Gary Hinman in his Topanga Canyon home.

However, his sentence -- along with those of Manson and a number of his followers -- was later commuted to life in prison following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on new requirements for capital cases.

Beausoleil was last denied parole in October 2016. He could still be denied parole if incoming Gov. Gavin Newsom rejects the panel's recommendation following a 150-day review process. Outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown had consistently refused to release Manson followers.

Manson, who died in prison in 2017, had sent Beausoleil to demand money from the musician but when Hinman said he had none, Beausoleil called Manson to the home, where the cult leader slashed the 34-year-old's face and ear with a sword.

Hinman ended up signing over two vehicles before he was fatally stabbed by Beausoleil, who used Hinman's blood to scrawl "Political Piggies" on a wall in the musician's home.

Hinman's murder is believed to have been the first committed by the Manson "family," which was also responsible for the deaths of actress Sharon Tate and six other people.

The results of Thursday's hearing was first reported by the celebrity news website Radar Online.

City News Service; Photo: Robert Kenneth Beausoleil