California governor rejects parole for Manson family member Leslie Van Houten

Leslie Van Houten, pictured in 1971, has again been denied freedom (AP)

California governor Gavin Newsom has blocked parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, reversing a panel’s recommendation that she be freed after spending half a century in prison.

Van Houten, 72, “currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time”, Mr Newsom said in his parole review on Tuesday. It was the fifth time that a California governor has rejected her release.