Charles Manson cult follower Robert Beausoleil set for parole hearing

Appeals by the former musician have been turned down on 17 previous occasions

Officials in California are expected to today consider parole for a follower of cult leader Charles Manson who has spent 45 years in prison. Robert Beausoleil has seen his requests turned down on 17 previous occasions.

Beausoleil, now aged 67, originally was sentenced to death for the 1969 slaying of musician Gary Hinman, but it was commuted to life in prison when the California Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972.

If parole officials recommend his release, the decision will be reviewed by the entire parole board. The state’s governor Jerry Brown could also block his parole, the Associated Press reported.

In August, Mr Brown blocked the release of Bruce Davis, 72, who was convicted in the slayings of Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea. The parole board had found that Davis was suitable for parole based on his age and good conduct in prison.

Beausoleil was an aspiring musician and actor before he joined the Manson family. He was in jail when other Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others, then murdered grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary.