California Parole Board Denied Beausoleil Parole
The parole board has denied release for the 19th time to Robert Beausoleil, who was convicted of a 1968 murder.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Sex Crimes
California officials have denied parole to 78-year-old Robert Beausoleil, marking his 19th unsuccessful attempt to secure release from prison. Beausoleil is currently serving a life sentence for the 1968 murder of Gary Hinman in Topanga Canyon.
Why it matters
The denial maintains the state's long-standing incarceration of individuals involved in crimes associated with the Manson family. This decision reaffirms the life sentences for those involved in the series of murders attributed to the group.
Robert Beausoleil has been denied parole 19 times since he was sentenced to life in prison. He will be 81 years old when he becomes eligible for another parole hearing in 2029.
The players
Robert Beausoleil
He is a 78-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for the 1968 murder of Gary Hinman.
Gary Hinman
He was the victim of a 1968 murder committed in his Topanga Canyon home.
Charles Manson
He was the leader of the Manson family who died in prison in 2017.
Susan Atkins
She was an associate of the Manson family who died while serving a prison sentence in 2009.
Leslie Van Houten
She was a member of the Manson family who was released to a transitional living facility in 2023.
The details
Beausoleil held Gary Hinman hostage for three days before killing him with a samurai sword at his Topanga Canyon home. Originally sentenced to death in 1970, his sentence was commuted to life in prison by the California Supreme Court in 1973.
Timeline
Gary Hinman was murdered in 1968.
Beausoleil was sentenced to death in 1970.
His sentence was commuted to life in 1973.
Leslie Van Houten was released in 2023.
Beausoleil is next eligible for parole in 2029.
Legal Context
This case follows the state's long-standing precedent regarding the 1968 Manson family murder spree. The consistent denial of parole for remaining participants highlights the judicial and executive focus on the gravity of these historical crimes.
This decision ensures that the individual responsible for the 1968 murder remains in state custody. It provides a measure of finality for the public and the legal system concerning the ongoing status of historical Manson family offenders.
The takeaway
The continued denial of parole for long-term inmates illustrates the lasting judicial impact of the Manson family cases. Readers should note that parole eligibility for such high-profile offenders remains subject to rigorous board reviews in California.
Further reading
For additional context on legal proceedings in the state, visit /crime/sex-crimes/.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RadarOnline.
