RELIGION

Parole hearing underway for follower of Charles Manson

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE - This March 12, 2014 file photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Bruce Davis. A 74-year-old former follower of cult killer Charles Manson is scheduled for another parole hearing Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, after California governor blocked previous recommendations that he be released from prison. (Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2012 file photo, Bruce Davis for the start of a parole hearing at the California Mens Colony in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The 74-year-old former follower of cult killer Charles Manson is scheduled for another parole hearing Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, after California governor blocked previous recommendations that he be released from prison. (Joe Johnston/The Tribune of San Luis Obispo via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - This March 12, 2014 file photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Bruce Davis. A state panel on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, recommended parole for Davis, a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson, after California governors blocked four previous recommendations for his release from the California Men's Colony at San Luis Obispo. Gov. Jerry Brown will have the final say on whether Davis is released. (Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

A former follower of cult leader Charles Manson is seeking parole for the 31st time after California governors blocked four previous recommendations for his release.

A parole hearing for 74-year-old Bruce Davis was underway Wednesday at the California Men's Colony at San Luis Obispo.

Davis is serving a life sentence for the 1969 slayings of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea.

He was not involved in the more notorious killings of actress Sharon Tate and six others by the Manson "family."

Parole panels have decided four times that Davis is no longer a public safety risk.

Gov. Jerry Brown rejected the most recent recommendation early last year. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also concluded that Davis remains too dangerous to be free.