Manson follower denied parole for 1969 murder

Mugshot from 1969 arrest (LAPD)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California officials have denied parole for a follower of cult leader Charles Manson who is serving a life prison term for a murder he committed 47 years ago.

Parole officials announced Friday that 68-year-old Robert Beausoleil (boh-so-LAY') will remain in prison for the 1969 death of musician Gary Hinman.

Parole board spokesman Luis Patino says he can seek parole again in three years.

Beausoleil originally was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison when the California Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972.

Beausoleil was an aspiring musician and actor before he joined the Manson family.

He was in jail when other Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others, then murdered grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary.