Charles Manson's 'Right-Hand-Man' Denied Parole For 17th Time

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California officials have denied parole for Charles "Tex" Watson, the self-described "right-hand man" of murderous cult leader Charles Manson.

The decision came Thursday at the 17th parole hearing for Watson and 47 years after he helped plan and participated in the slayings of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in 1969.

A panel of California parole commissioners meeting at Mule Creek State Prison, near Sacramento, said the 70-year-old Watson should remain in prison after being sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Watson can seek parole again in five years.

In prison, Watson wrote the book, "Manson's Right-Hand Man Speaks Out," saying the charismatic Manson offered utopia then persuaded his followers to act out his destructive worldview.

Watson has apologized for the killings.