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Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Murderous Charles Manson follower could be released as she's recommended for parole
A Charles Manson follower who helped kill pregnant actress Sharon Tate could be freed from prison after being recommended parole following 55 years behind bars. Patricia Krenwinkel, 77, has been recommended for release by California authorities and may get a chance at freedom. California's longest-serving female inmate has been locked up since she was 22 for her part in the 1969 Manson family murders. Krenwinkel was sentenced to death in 1971 after being convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder, but her sentence was changed to life when the state's death penalty was ruled unconstitutional in 1972. This comes just a few years after Governor Gavin Newsom rejected a previous parole recommendation in 2022, saying she posed too great a risk to public safety. But the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said it intends to oppose her parole once again. In a statement to CBS 8, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said: 'The Parole Board commissioners will give special consideration to the elder parole factors as Ms. Krenwinkel is over 50 and has served 20 years in custody. 'But that in and of itself does not make her automatically appropriate for a grant. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office opposed parole the last time it attended a parole hearing for Ms. Krenwinkel in 2016 and 2017, where she received a five-year denial. The office intends to oppose parole again.' Krenwinkel met Manson when she was 19 and left everything behind to pursue a romantic relationship with him. She was living with her older sister when she met Manson, then age 33, at a party during a time when she said she was feeling lost and alone. 'He seemed a bit bigger than life,' she testified in May 2022, and she started feeling 'that somehow his take on the world was the right, was the right one.' She said she left with him for what she thought would be a relationship with 'the new man in my life' who unlike others told her he loved her and that she was beautiful. Manson 'had answers that I wanted to hear ... that I might be loved, that I might have the kind of affection that I was looking forward to in my life,' she said. Instead, she said Manson abused her and others physically and emotionally while requiring that they trust him without question, testimony that led the parole panel to conclude that Krenwinkel was a victim of intimate partner battery at the time. Krenwinkel was convicted in the slayings of pregnant actor Sharon Tate and four other people in August 1969. Krenwinkel joined Susan Atkins and Charles 'Tex' Watson in the murder at director Roman Polanski's Benedict Canyon home. Charles Manson followers, from left: Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, shown walking to court to appear for their roles in the 1969 cult killings of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate, in Los Angeles on August 20, 1970 The victims included Tate's unborn child, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring and Steven Parent. The next night, she killed Leno LaBianca by stabbing him in the stomach with a carving fork they used at Thanksgiving. She wrote 'Death to Pigs' on the wall with his blood. She also helped kill his wife Rosemary in a double murder prosecutors say was an attempt by Manson to start a race war. In a 2016 parole hearing, she claimed Manson physically and emotionally abused her and trafficked her to others for sex. Her case will now go before California's Board of Parole Hearings and the governor for final approval in a process that could take up to five months. In 2022, Newsom blocked the parole of Krenwinkel, more than five decades after she scrawled 'Helter Skelter' on a wall using the blood of one of their victims. Krenwinkel and other followers of the cult leader terrorized the state in the late 1960s, committing crimes that Newsom said 'were among the most fear-inducing in California's history.' Charles Manson was the leader of a group of cultists who engaged in a frenzy of killing in the summer of 1969, culminating in the murder of the actress Sharon Tate and her unborn child. He died of natural causes not long after this photo was taken A two-member parole panel in May 2022 recommended that Krenwinkel be released, after she previously had been denied parole 14 times. Newsom has previously rejected parole recommendations for other followers of Manson, who died in prison in 2017.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nolensville police issue ‘predatory towing alert'
NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Officials notified Nolensville community members Saturday about incidents of 'predatory towing' that were reported this month. The Nolensville Police Department said visitors to the Nolensville Farmers Market over the past few weekends have reported being charged $375 drop fees — which is well above the $100 maximum allowed by Tennessee law — after parking in the nearby retail lot. 'We do comply with the law': Nashville mayor responds to investigation into his office Authorities said they've spoken with the wrecker driver and notified the District Attorney's office due to the potential violation of state law. If you were affected by this 'predatory towing,' you're asked to contact the Nolensville Police Department at 615-776-3640. You'll need to bring in any receipts, photos, or videos, as well as be prepared to give a brief statement. ⏩ 'We respect a property owner's right to remove vehicles from their property. But not to violate the law,' officials posted on Facebook on Saturday, May 31. 'We value our residents and visitors.' No additional details have been released about this situation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
PA inmate sentenced for tattooing a minor in Bradford County
BRADFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WETM) — An inmate in a Pennsylvania State Prison was sentenced to more time recently after officials say he was caught driving with a suspended license and was also found guilty of giving tattoos without consent to a minor, according to a release from the Bradford County District Attorney's Office. Carl W. Button, 53, was sentenced to an additional 12 months on top of his minimum of 14 months to a maximum of 48 months in state prison for the crimes of driving under suspension, DUI-related, and the misdemeanor of tattooing a minor, as stated by the DA's Office. Wysox man sentenced for harassing neighbors over several months The DA said that Button was charged by Pennsylvania State Police with driving under suspension, DUI-related, in March of 2024, following a traffic stop on Marsh Street in Wyalusing Borough after he was found to have a suspended license. Further, the DA states Button's charge of tattooing a minor stems from an investigation by a Pennsylvania State Trooper after reports that Button was giving tattoos to a minor in Bradford County without the consent of the parents. Button was already in prison on other charges, including possession of drug paraphernalia and avoiding arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Truly evil': Door County man gets max sentence for defrauding clients of $1.1 million
STURGEON BAY - An 81-year-old town of Nasewaupee man received the maximum sentence allowable for his conviction on 15 felony charges of defrauding almost two dozen elderly Door County residents out of more than $1.1 million in his role as their financial planner and tax preparer. Dale Forrest Pautsch was sentenced May 29 by Door County Judge Jennifer Moeller to a total of 15 consecutive years in a state prison, one year for each of the 15 counts, which includes a modifier for crimes against an elderly or disabled person. He also will serve another 15 years of extended supervision, again one year consecutively for each count, when and if he is released. Pautsch also is prohibited from owning or operating a business, working as a financial adviser or tax preparer, and handling anyone else's money or checks. His assets, which include a home in Nasewaupee and a business he bought and ran with proceeds from his crimes, the Little Brown Jug tavern in the town of Gardner, were seized after he was convicted and are going on auction to help Pautsch make financial restitution to his victims. It was revealed in court during the sentencing hearing that the pre-sentence investigation of Pautsch recommended he be sentenced to three to four years in prison, citing his age and that he seemed to show remorse and take responsibility for his actions. But nine people who were victims of Pautsch gave impact statements in court, along with one letter read aloud by District Attorney Colleen Nordin, that said they were devastated by Pautsch's crimes against them, not just because of their financial losses – one woman lost more than $610,000, another person more than $100,000 and eight people between $10,000 and $100,000 – but also because of extreme emotional and mental distress. Several asked the court to sentence Pautsch to at least enough time that would essentially become a life sentence for the 81-year-old. "Dale took our money, took our life, took my trust, my spirit," a victim named Joann said in court (last names of victims who gave statements were not given to protect their identities), adding that Pautsch took advantage of working with her husband when he was dealing with dementia. "I ask you to sentence Dale to enough years that he will never see the light of day again." "My world has been turned upside-down because of Dale Pautsch's actions," said a victim named Carol, who noted Pautsch was making financial plans with her husband while the husband was in the hospital recovering from a stroke. "I absolutely feel he should be given the maximum sentence for each of his crimes." "Anyone who commits a crime against the elderly is truly evil," said a man who identified himself as a son-in-law of one of the victims. "He needs to be locked up so he cannot find other people to steal from." Several also said they gave money to Pautsch for him to file tax returns that never were filed, and they've been dealing with the IRS and state Department of Revenue as those agencies are seeking to collect, with interest and penalties for late fees. A woman named Carolyn said she and her husband had to take out loans against her husband's life insurance policy and their retirement accounts to make payments to the IRS. She said they've suffered with sleeplessness, stress and related health issues since they learned they were defrauded by Pautsch. "We would like to be retired but we can't afford it now," she said. "We feel betrayed. (Pautsch) has to suffer the way we do every day." A victim named Jeremiah said he and his family are now receiving monthly notices from the IRS because of Pautsch's work for them. "My family has had stress, worry, anxiety and crushed spirits because of Mr. Pautsch," he said. "What was done was not a mistake, it was willful deception. Mr. Pautsch has proven to be the most cunning, most deceptive person I've ever met. ... We paid our taxes, did as we were told, and we're the ones made to feel like criminals. If not for his greed, none of this would've happened." A victim named Elizabeth said Pautsch was initially charged, and she started receiving notices – which she she is still getting – from the IRS, at about the same time her father died. "I should have been grieving with my family," she said. "Instead, I was buried in paperwork and paying money to the IRS to prevent them from taking my home. I will never get that back." In her request for the maximum sentence, Nordin said she "couldn't disagree more" with the pre-sentence investigation recommendation of a three- to four-year sentence. Nordin not only leaned on the victim statements given in court but also written statements from other victims who said Pautsch went out of his way to befriend them, "cozy up" to them and ultimately learn their vulnerabilities, then take advantage of them. She cited how many victims said they were devastated and still dealing with anxiety while trying to repair their lives, financially and otherwise. "He was a predator," Nordin said. "He sought out people, gained their trust, groomed them, found them when they were vulnerable." Nordin also challenged the pre-sentence report's conclusion that Pautsch was remorseful and took responsibility for his actions, noting several disparaging remarks Pautsch made about some of his victims in the report, including two who are immigrants. She also noted that while in county jail awaiting the resolution of his cases, Pautsch received whistleblower forms from the state Department of Revenue that he filled out to attempt to accuse his victims of financial fraud, not him. She surmised Pautsch did this not only to try to absolve himself but also to collect the state's whistleblower fees. The forms were intercepted at the jail before they could be mailed. "Saying those people were scamming the system, not him, doesn't show responsibility or remorse," Nordin said. Nordin said she wanted Pautsch to receive the maximum sentence for each count, not less time for counts involving less money, because those victims also have experienced suffering. She also said the sentence shouldn't be light because of Pautsch's age and current health issues. "Being 81 years old does not take away what he did to them," Nordin said. "I realize he may not walk away from this, and I'm perfectly fine with that." Defense attorney Brett Reetz acknowledged the victim statements were compelling and moving, but he maintained Pautsch was remorseful and said Pautsch wasn't in a position to exploit people any more given his age and health. "He does understand what he did, why it was wrong and how wrong it was," Reetz said. "He initially had genuine belief he had power of attorney ... initially did not understand he was wrong. Now he does. I've been working with Dale to help him understand what he took was not their money, it was their life. "I'm not asking to take this lightly, to give him a slap on the wrist. He's now a penniless, elderly man with serious health concerns. He has nothing left to give." Pautsch apologized to his victims and told the court he wants them to get their money back. "I hurt a lot of people very badly," he said. "Everything they worked for, I took. I'm embarrassed for my family, my friends. I'm truly ashamed for what I've become and what I've done." Before passing sentence, Moeller noted the devastating impact victims said they experienced because of Pautsch's crimes and how he found victims who were especially vulnerable. She also said the pre-sentence report indicated Pautsch's remorse my have been more because he was caught than for his actions. "It's the money, but it's so much more," Moeller said. "People used phrases like, he destroyed my family, he destroyed my life, crushed my spirit, devastated, demoralized, taking away my trust. It's inconceivable how you thought you were helping them." Along with the sentence, a hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 3 to review the progress of restitution Pautsch is making to his victims. Pautsch entered not guilty pleas during his Aug. 19 initial court appearance but changed his pleas to no contest during a Feb. 12 appearance. He initially was arrested and charged with four counts against two victims last June, but subsequent investigation by the Door County Sheriff's Office and Sturgeon Bay Police Department found others who were defrauded by him. All told, Pautsch was charged with and pleaded no contest to 13 counts of theft in a business setting and two counts of money laundering. Two of the 13 theft counts were for amounts of more than $100,000 – one of the victims lost more than $610,000, according to the initial complaint – eight were for amounts between $10,000 and $100,000, two for amounts of $5,000 to $10,000 and one for an amount between $2,500 and $5,000. One of the money laundering counts was for an amount of more than $100,000 and the other for an amount between $10,000 and $100,000. The money was used by Pautsch for personal expenses and buy the Little Brown Jug and cover tavern expenses. Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@ MORE: Cellcom users in Door County unable to call 911 to report a fire MORE: Popular Door County performer raising funds for first new album in years FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County man Pautsch gets 15-year sentence for defrauding clients
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Being smart on crime' leading to downtrend of overdoses
TUNKHANNOCK, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A local community is doing its part to combat the opioid epidemic by handing out a potentially life saving drug Narcan. It's a medication that counteracts the effects of opiate related overdoses. Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters, along with his community awareness group, set up shop in Tunkhannock in an effort to get this potential life-saver in as many hands as possible. For years, Wyoming County has been putting up a fight against the opioid epidemic through community events like this one. DAs share crime trends in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties The anonymous drive-through event hopes get Narcan in the hands of as many residents as possible, something District Attorney Joe Peters calls being 'smart on crime'. 'We just want to get Narcan out there. It's like a fire extinguisher. There's one in every building because, you're not trying to encourage a fire, you're trying to have something there to stop the fire,' said District Attorney Peters. Inside the kits, Narcan and instructions on how to administer it. Narcan is a nasal form of the drug naloxone. It binds with opioid receptors in the brain to reverse the effects of an overdose. The drug is not harmful to the user. 'That's the magic and the miracle of this drug,' expressed District Attorney Peters. While opioid related deaths are on the downtrend here in Wyoming County, District Attorney Joe Peters says distribution events like this one are crucial to continuing the fight against opioid abuse. One woman attending the event tells me she lost her brother to a fentanyl overdose only a few years ago. She says she wishes resources like these could have been available then. 'I think not only being aware that this, you know, is in our communities, this fentanyl, but being knowledgeable that there are things like Narcan that can make a difference,' said Mary Scarpa, Tunkhannock. She says now, she carries Narcan wherever she goes just in case someone needs it. 'If the situation ever occurs that, you know, I can help somebody out then I certainly would like to. It is really difficult to lose somebody to an overdose and so I don't wish that upon anybody,' expressed Scarpa. Peters says he hopes to have more Narcan distribution events throughout Wyoming County in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
