The cousin of Gary Hinman – the Manson family’s first victim – has spoken out against the release of cult member Leslie Van Houten, calling it an injustice and an affront to the memory of her late lover.
Kay Hinman, 86, labeled Van Houten a “psychopath” and made this and several other statements while discussing the controversial release of the convicted killer with NewsNation on Tuesday, more than 50 years after the brutal stabbing of her relative.
Van Houten – who was a lonely and mentally damaged 19-year-old from Los Angeles when she met Manson – was serving 53 years of a life sentence for her participation in two of the infamous murders, and was the youngest member of the ‘Family’ cult .
Now 73, Manson was “supervised on parole,” the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed, after escaping a death sentence in the 1970s — when the state Supreme Court abolished the death penalty.
Aside from sparing Van Houten and several other killers, the move was aided by the fact that officials decided to keep parole on the table for death penalty recipients — a decision now over 50 years later by Van Houten’s family. the victims are felt.
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The comments were made by 86-year-old Kay Hinman during a Wednesday interview on NewsNation, which focused on the circumstances surrounding the controversial release of convicted murderer Leslie Van Houten on Tuesday.
Now 73, Van Houten – who was a lonely and mentally damaged 19-year-old from Los Angeles when she met Manson – was serving 53 years of a life sentence for her participation in two of the infamous murders, and was the youngest member of the ‘ Manson Family cult
Gary Hinman – who introduced then-aspiring musician Charles Manson to the Beach Boys in the late 1960s – was stabbed to death by Manson follower Bobby Beausoleil in 1969, and would have been 88 had he lived today
“Do you appreciate the argument that Leslie Van Houten has been a model prisoner and has been fully rehabilitated and poses no threat to society?” NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield asks Hinman at one point during the five-minute sitdown.
“No, I don’t,” the California senior continues, before delivering what she announced as evidence of Van Houten’s lack of humanity — citing a prison interview in which she was asked if she felt grief or shame for the death of one of her two victims, Rosemary LaBianca.
“In 1976, Leslie was asked if she was remorseful,” the senior recalls, visibly moved.
Her response was “sorry is just a five letter word.”
Leslie is a psychopath.
At another point, Hinman cites other characteristics of Van Houten that she’s seen as damning — like how she showed no remorse at her 1971 trial, as well as her now-infamous giggles during testimonies about her part in the 1969 murder of a 44-year-old. old man from LA and his wife.
“The psychiatrist at one of her trials said she is a schizotype who suppresses her emotions and exhibits a joyless coldness and sense of alienation,” says Hinman, adding, “and psychopaths cannot be cured.”
The interview – Hinman’s first televised appearance since a California court approved the fifth review of Van Houten’s parole – comes less than a day after Hinman told DailyMail.com that Van Houten’s release could open the door to the future release of Van Houten. four other inmates currently serving time for Manson-related murders.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, she said, “This opens the door for the other four. I can’t believe the courts would do that – how can they override the governor? ‘
The interview — Hinman’s first TV spot since a court approved Van Houten’s fifth parole review — comes less than a day after Hinman told DailyMail.com that Van Houten’s release could open the door for the release of other inmates who currently serving time for Manson-related murders.
That statement came shortly after California Governor Gavin Newsom — who has contested potential parole for Manson family members in the past — issued a terse statement stating his intent not to appeal the state Supreme Court’s sensational decision.
Van Houten’s victims included LA couple Leno and Rosemary LaBianca (above), who were murdered on August 9, 1969 by Van Houten, Manson, and four other accomplices
That statement came shortly after California Governor Gavin Newsom — who has contested potential parole for Manson family members in the past — issued a terse statement stating his intent not to appeal the state Supreme Court’s sensational decision.
The statement expressed Newsom’s apparent disappointment with the decision.
Released Tuesday, it read: “More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal murders, the families of the victims are still feeling the impact.”
Van Houten (right) was the youngest of the Manson Family – a white supremacist sect that struck fear into the hearts of millions of Californians in the late 1960s and early 1970s
Manson – who died in prison in 2017 – led a cult of disgruntled young people in the 1960s and sent his followers to murder the rich and famous of Los Angeles in 1969.
Found guilty of first-degree murder in 1971, Van Houten was initially sentenced to death, but after the California Supreme Court ruled the sentence unconstitutional in 1972, it was reduced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.
After her 13th parole rejection, way back in 2008, Van Houten took legal action on the basis that the decision was made purely on the basis of evidence of her crimes.
However, she was not recommended for parole until 2016.
Her fifth recommendation, in November 2021, was rejected, as were the previous four, and a request for review was denied the following year.
But on May 30, 2023, an appeals court overturned the denial of parole and ruled in favor of Van Houten.
The decision was made based on her “extraordinary rehabilitation efforts, insight, remorse, realistic plans for parole, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and had four consecutive parole awards at the time of the governor’s decision.” receive release’.