Irish Examiner view: The meaning of life when it comes to murder

Sentencing policy to be reviewed in Ireland

In this 1970 photo, Charles Manson followers, from left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten walk to court to appear for their roles in the 1969 cult killings of seven people in Los Angeles. Krenwinkel is now due to be released. Picture: AP Photo/George Brich

How long is life, when it refers to a sentence for murder? It’s a question which varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and never fails to generate debate.

In California, a parole panel has just recommended the release of Patricia Krenwinkel, 74, for the first time in more than five decades. She is the oldest, and longest-serving, female inmate of that state’s penal system.

Patricia Krenwinkel is now 74.

Krenwinkel was one of the followers of Charles Manson who slaughtered seven people across two nights in the Hollywood Hills and Los Angeles in 1969. It was she who wrote the words “Helter Skelter” on the walls in the blood of one of the victims after being urged to leave “something witchy” as a message by another member of the murder gang.

Krenwinkel, who testified to stabbing coffee heiress Abigail Folger 28 times, has already been denied parole on 14 occasions, and the governor, Gavin Newsom, will now have to reconsider her case. He has already refused a recommendation on behalf of another cult member, Leslie Van Houten. 

Ireland, where the “average life sentence” is 20 years, is now contemplating a review of policy providing judges with the power to set minimum sentences for crimes such as murder, rape, and child abuse. Justice Minister Helen McEntee wants proposals brought to Cabinet by the end of summer.

Some 350 people are currently “lifers” in Ireland. We may expect the length of new sentences to increase once an updated tariff is introduced.