New Charles Manson photos released as his parole hearing approaches

(CBS) - New photos have been released of Charles Manson, the leader of the "Manson Family" cult responsible for a series of brutal murders in California in 1969. The release of the new photos come a week before his parole hearing.

Pictures: The Manson Family murders

At the request of CNN, the California Department of Corrections released two photos reportedly taken in June 2011 at the state prison in Corcoran, Calif. A department of corrections spokesperson says the new photos were taken due to a change in Manson's appearance, CNN reports.

Manson originally received a death sentence in the infamous murder of actress Sharon Tate and six others by a group of his followers. But his death sentence was changed to life in prison after California's death penalty was overturned for a period during the 1970s.

Manson, whose parole hearing is schedule for April 11, has been denied parole 11 times, CNN reports.

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