Are some of the most gruesome
and some of the most infamous murders
in the entire history of our country.
And tonight,
a convicted killer from the Manson
family is walking free.
Leslie Van Houten
released on parole
after 53 years behind bars.
And she was, of course,
a part of the group
that terrorized
Los Angeles
over two nights in 1969, killing
seven people
in some of the most gruesome of ways,
including actress Sharon Tate,
who at the time was pregnant.
Van Houten was convicted
of killing a couple in their own home,
stabbing the wife
16 times at the crime scene.
Now she wiped her fingerprints
at that crime scene.
She changed her clothes.
She even drank
chocolate milk
from her victim's refrigerator.
And she says that she did it
as a follower of Manson
I believe that he was Jesus Christ
and it was his
view and belief
that all of this would happen.
And
part of his thing
was not to not have individual thinking
and don't ask questions.
And I bought into it
lock, stock and barrel.
So I never
I never asked him
how that how is that going to happen.
Now, California's governor, Gavin Newsom,
had previously rejected her parole
three separate times,
but this time he didn't fight it.
I want to bring in Anthony Di Maria.
His uncle Jay
Sebring, was one of the victims
of the Manson family.
Anthony, thank you for joining me
this evening.
You know, there's been a lot
that has been talked about
and said
over the years, five decades
worth and more.
The nation, of course,
has been fascinated by all that happened.
It is unbelievable
to think this is
a member of your own family
who was one of the victims
before we even begin, you know.
Tell me what you're feeling on a day
like today, knowing that
one more person is now freed.
Well,
the first thing is, obviously, I my
my thoughts are with the victims.
All the victims in all of our
our families,
because as Leslie collectively
tortured,
conspired and killed her victims.
So to our families are collectively
bound by the loss
and suffering of her crimes.
And
it's clearly that that
Leslie Van Hilton's release is
a profoundly impacts our families.
But I fear that a very dangerous,
pernicious precedent is established today
that will impact
millions of victims of violent crimes
throughout the state of California today
and in the years to come.
What is that precedent
that you're talking about?
Because, of course,
you have been very critical,
understandably, of the idea
that she considers herself
to be a victim of Charles Manson. And.
And I wonder,
what is the precedent
you're speaking about?
That the governor has decided
not to stop this appeal
or stop that or appeal once again,
what is the precedent?
The precedent is established now.
You have.
Leslie Van
Houten has always kind
of propped herself up
as a Manson follower,
but she's anything but.
She is a cold blooded killer
and one of the most
notorious murder rampages
in United States history.
So with her release now,
any other violent criminal or killer
whose crimes fall
beneath the bar of Leslie Van
Hilton's very extreme, very crimes
that also have historical impact.
That opens the door for them.
And it is our fear
that that the floodgates
in the California
penal system will be unhinged.
I am curious.
Has she ever reached out to you
or members of your family?
I mean,
she spent more than 50 years now
behind bars
There are others, obviously,
who have been convicted.
Has there
been any contact between the now released
woman and yourself or your family?
No.
With with Leslie Van Houten, she
she committed the crimes on Waverly
with the Rosemary LaBianca
and was not present
at my uncle's murder
on the evening of August 8th.
I as I understand it,
there are certain CDCR rules
that prohibit the
the offenders to contact the families.
So.
But so no, I haven't received any
any outreach from from Leslie.
What's your view now of Governor
Gavin Newsom
knowing that he did
not at this occasion, fight,
you know, I appreciate that question.
I certainly have
respect for Governor Newsom
and the attorney general.
But our families strongly
VRM mentally
disagree with their decision
not to file an appeal.
Anthony Di Maria,
thank you for joining us.
And thank you for shedding
some light on your family members.
And we will think of them
as a part of your family,
not just in the gruesome way
that all this has been described.
Thank you so much.