Parole recommended for Manson Family member Bruce Davis


After 28 unsuccessful bids for freedom, Manson Family member Bruce Davis was found eligible for parole on Thursday, California state corrections officials said.
The 72-year-old was convicted in 1972 for the murders of aspiring musician Gary Hinman and Donald "Shorty" Shea, a stuntman who worked at a ranch where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Hinman's body was found at Davis' home, alongside the words "political piggy" written in blood on the wall, the Los Angeles Times reports. Davis said he had nothing to do with the Manson Family's infamous 1969 murders of Sharon Tate and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
The finding is now under a 120-day review, and Gov. Jerry Brown (D) could block Davis' release. He has been found eligible for parole previously, but all motions were reversed by the governors at the time, with Brown saying in 2014 that Davis is "still dodging responsibility" for his role in the murders. During his 40 years in prison, Davis has earned his doctoral degree in religion, married, and fathered a child.
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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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