Court wonders if it can rule on Manson cult case

A California appeals court is questioning whether it has jurisdiction to decide on parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten or whether the issue becomes moot after the governor weighs in.

A three-judge panel with the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles heard arguments yesterday. They're deciding whether to uphold a lower court's ruling that denied her parole.

Separately, a parole board recommended Van Houten's release in January. That decision is undergoing a five-month review process before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The appeals court judges gave attorneys five days to explain how a decision by Newsom would affect the case before them. If Newsom denies Van Houten parole, the judges want to know whether they still would have jurisdiction to rule.

Van Houten and fellow cult members fatally stabbed a wealthy grocer and his wife in 1969.