California parole panel recommends Manson follower imprisoned for murder be freed

LOS ANGELES (KTLA/AP) -- A California parole panel on Thursday recommended for the first time that Charles Manson follower Robert Beausoleil be freed after serving nearly a half-century in prison for murder.

Beausoleil, 71, was not involved in the most notorious killings of actress Sharon Tate and six others by the Manson “family” in 1969. He was convicted in the slaying of musician Gary Hinman that same year.

Hinman was tortured for three days, according to testimony at previous parole hearings, including when Manson cut his face with a sword.

Parole panels ruled against releasing Beausoleil 18 prior times.

California's incoming governor, Gavin Newsom, could block the parole in coming months. Termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown has consistently stopped releases for followers of the cult leader, who died in prison in 2017.

Beausoleil's attorney, Jason Campbell, said his client is no longer dangerous and that his release “is long overdue.”

He currently resides in the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, which is about 47 miles northeast of San Francisco.