Calif. governor denies parole to ex-Manson follower

This undated file photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, shows Bruce Davis. / File,AP Photo/California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

LOS ANGELES The enduring mystery of why young people joined Charles Manson's murderous family appeared to be at the heart of Gov. Jerry Brown's decision Friday to reverse a parole board's recommendation and keep Bruce Davis in prison.

Brown said he wants Davis, who has been behind bars for 42 years, to come clean about all the details of his involvement with Manson's cult and the two gruesome killings of a stuntman and a musician.

Gov. Jerry Brown gives his State of the State address at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 23, 2013.

/ AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

It was the second time in less than three years that a California governor has rejected a parole board ruling in Davis' case. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger refused his release in 2010, citing the heinous nature of Davis' crimes and his efforts to minimize his involvement.

Brown repeated those reasons in a six-page decision but added his belief that Davis still has more to disclose about the killings.

"Until Davis can acknowledge and explain why he actively championed the Family's interests and shed more light on the nature of his involvement, I am not prepared to release him," Brown said.

• California governor to decide fate of ex-Manson follower Bruce Davis
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"After 42 years of incarceration, it is encouraging that Davis is beginning to reveal the actual details of what happened. But it is clear that he continues to withhold information about these events," Brown said.

The state parole board, citing the prisoner's positive progress, approved release of the 70-year-old Davis, but the Democratic governor had the last word.

Brown gave his decision to The Associated Press at the downtown Los Angeles County courthouse after a meeting with District Attorney Jackie Lacey, who had recommended that Davis not be paroled.

"I find the evidence ... shows why he currently poses a danger to society if released from prison. Therefore, I reverse the decision to parole Mr. Davis," the written decision said. Brown's decision focused on Davis' role in the murderous Manson Family in the late 1960s.

"The record indicates that Davis fully embraced and championed the family's distorted values and goals, and was willing to protect the family's interests at all costs," the decision said.

Davis would have been only the second Manson-related murder defendant to be granted parole since the killing spree began in 1969.

Davis was not involved in the notorious Sharon Tate-LaBianca killings but was convicted with Manson and others in the murders of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman ranch hand Donald "Shorty" Shea.

A photo provided by the California Department of Corrections shows 77-year-old serial killer Charles Manson Wed., April 4, 2012.

/ AP Photos/California Department of Corrections

Manson was a direct participant in both killings, according to witnesses.

Steve Grogan, another participant in those murders, was released in 1985 after he led police to where the bodies were buried on a remote movie ranch in the San Fernando Valley.

Brown's decision outlined the killings in gruesome detail. It also quoted trial testimony of Barbara Hoyt, a former Manson Family member, who has become a constant attendee at parole hearing and an advocate for keeping all members of the cult in prison.

Many of the details she gave were proven wrong when the bodies were exhumed. She had spoken of dismembered bodies, but both men's bodies were intact.

Davis was 30 when he was sentenced to life in prison in 1972 in the case, which was a postscript to Manson's notorious reign as leader of the murderous communal cult.

Davis long maintained that he was a bystander in the killing of the two men. But in recent years, he has acknowledged his shared responsibility. He said his presence may have emboldened others to take action because he was an elder of the group.

Brown said Davis' refusal to fully acknowledge his responsibility for the killings was central to his decision.

"I do not believe that Davis was just a reluctant follower who passively went along with the violence," he said. "Davis was older, more experienced, he knew what the Manson Family was capable of, and he knowingly and willingly took part in these crimes."

Davis became a born-again Christian in prison and ministered to other inmates, married a woman he met through the prison ministry, and has a grown daughter. The couple recently divorced.

Davis also earned a master's degree and a doctorate in philosophy of religion.

Brown commended him for his self-help efforts but said the work was outweighed by other factors.

Manson and three of his followers, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Charles "Tex" Watson, remain in prison for life in the Tate killings. Their co-defendant, Susan Atkins, died of cancer behind bars in 2009.

[Aussie_convict]

A bullet would have been much cheaper for what these twisted f@#ks did. Its amazing how nearly every person sentenced to life changes their way and finds religion, shame you didnt do this 43 years ago Brucey boy, rot in your cell.

[judymar14]

What more information on the murders are needed. He took part in them, was found guilty and sentenced to life. LIFE, not 42 years.

[Tank_Commander]

Finally, some good news. Even better news would be that California actually had the balls to execute some of the homsteaders on it's death row.

[oldoc44]

I'm usually open to hear cases of genuine renewal and rehabilitation, but this guy still plays coy about the whole gruesome incident and probably plays that age-old "found Jesus" card, so he needs to stay; unfortunately, they didn't execute these killers at the time so it winds up costing the taxpayers a fortune.

[RedDeath50]

"Steve Grogan, another participant in those murders, was released in 1985 after he led police to where the bodies were buried on a remote movie ranch in the San Fernando Valley."
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Come on CBS! Do a little fact checking before publishing an article!! Shorty Shea's body was buried in the desert. Gary Hinman's (mutilated) body was found in his house!

[jrwilsonjr79]

Correct. Also, Leslie Van Houten had nothing to do with the Tate murders--she wasn't even present that night. She was convicted of the LaBianca murders--a separate event on a different night.

[ammo17]

42 years in prison three hots and a cot for all those years.what did that cost the state?is this cheaper then execution? now you know why california is always in a fiscal mess.

[ammo17]

if california would have executed these animals 42 years ago nobody on this planet would know who charlie manson and his family were or are.that was a big mistake on liberal california and now 42 years later they are still paying the price.

[fishtale63]

That wasn't California's mistake. It was the Supreme Court that banned executions.

[varigdc10]

I remember this from August 1969. What they did specifically to Sharon Tate was horrendous. They also committed the LoBianca killings after Tate and her friends. There was a movie about this " Helter Skelter" in 1973, from the prosecutor's POV, watch it, it was very good.

[US_DOJ_Gov]

This article specifically stated, "Bruce Davis was NOT involved in the notorious Sharon Tate-LaBianca killings."

[saturn05]

Why are these people still in jail when people who committed crimes just as bad are out in 12 years? I think they should remain in jail, don't get me wrong, but why are so many murderers running in the streets who were sentenced to life in prison and then released.

[judymar14]

I would like to know who you are pertaining to when you say people are out in 12 years who have committted worse crimes?

Please name anyone who has committed a worse crime since or before 1969 who was released in 12 years. If not for the death penalty being abolished in 1972 until '78 four of these so called human beings would have been put to death.

Though, the way our death penalty works they would probably still be sitting on death row appealing.

To get the full impact of what these monsters did, read Helter Skelter.

[judymar14]

Please...Name ANY murders committed in the last 40+ years as heinous as these with as many innocent people slaughtered.

[Jonseen]

What the Manson family did is still horrifying, 40+ years later. I'm glad this guy has become a Christian, and it seems he's genuine about it. That's good. But even the Bible shows that punishment is due, even when a person repents!! King David was very sorry for what he did in taking another man's wife, and then had the man killed when she got pregnant. He was completely sorry. And God forgave David because his repentance was for real. But King David still had to face his punishment, even though God forgave him.

People think forgiveness is an easy out, but it's not. Justice is still due, even when there is repentance and forgiveness.