SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Jerry Brown is denying parole for Leslie Van Houten, the youngest follower of murderous cult leader Charles Manson.

The Democratic governor said Friday Van Houten's "inability to explain her willing participation in such horrific violence" leads him to believe she remains an unreasonable risk to society.

Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten is seen during a
hearing before the California Board of Parole Hearings at
the California Institution for Women in Chino, Calif.,
Thursday, April 14, 2016.

The couple were fatally stabbed a day after other "Manson family" members killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others.

Brown's decision overturns a parole board recommendation that Van Houten be freed. Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey and relatives of the victims last month turned in signatures of 140,000 people opposing Van Houten's release.


**** You can read Governor Brown's entire letter at a website devoted to Leslie.