海角大神

A former Charles Manson follower imprisoned for 40 years in a double murder engineered by Manson won a recommendation of parole Thursday in his 27th appearance before a parole board panel.

Bruce聽Davis, convicted with Manson and another man in the killings of a musician and a stuntman, was not involved in the infamous Sharon Tate murders in 1969.

The answer to his plea for freedom came on the eve of his 70th birthday. He was a young man of 30 when he was sentenced to life in prison in 1972 in a case that was a postscript to Manson's notorious reign as leader of the murderous communal cult known as the Manson family.

Davis聽long maintained he was a bystander in the killings of the two men, but in recent years he acknowledged his shared responsibility because he was present.

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The hearing was held at the California Men's Colony at San Luis Obispo, where聽Davis聽is imprisoned.

His release was opposed by a Los Angeles prosecutor and by a former Manson family member, Barbara Hoyt, as well as Sharon Tate's sister, Debra Tate. The two women attended the hearing, according to The Tribune of San Luis Obispo.

The recommendation is not the last hurdle in聽Davis' quest for freedom. The parole grant is subject to a 120-day review period by the entire parole board. If it is upheld, Gov. Jerry Brown then has 30 days to review the decision.

Los Angeles County district attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said, "We certainly disagree with the board's decision. We will evaluate how we plan to proceed as the matter goes to Gov. Brown."

She noted that District Attorney Steve Cooley helped persuade then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to stop Davis' prior parole date in 2010.

A parole board determined then that聽Davis聽was ready for release, saying he had no recent disciplinary problems and had completed education and self-help programs.

However, Schwarzenegger reversed the decision, citing the heinous nature of the crimes and saying聽Davis聽was still a danger. Gov. Brown has the final say on decisions by the current parole board. His spokesman Gil Duran declined comment after the hearing, saying the issue had not yet reached the governor's desk.

Davis聽has been in prison since being convicted with Manson and another follower, Steve Grogan, in the murders of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea.

"I'm pleased and relieved and I hope聽Bruce's聽ordeal will be over," said attorney Michael Beckman, who has been fighting for years for the release of聽Davis.

He said an emotional聽Davis聽spoke to the panel at length and took responsibility for his role in the killings. Davis聽also said he tried to do good for other inmates and would continue ministering for troubled souls on the outside, the lawyer said.

If eventually freed,聽Davis聽will go to transitional housing associated with religious groups in Los Angeles County.

Davis聽became a born-again 海角大神 in prison and ministered to other inmates, married a woman he met through the prison ministry, and has a grown daughter. The couple recently divorced.

Beckman said聽Davis聽also earned a master's degree and a doctorate in philosophy of religion.

Beckman said his client is totally rehabilitated and meets state requirements for parole. Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Patrick Sequeira opposed his release.

Few followers of the infamous Manson cult have been released from prison. Grogan was freed in 1985 after he led police to Shea's buried body.

Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme was released from federal prison in 2009 after serving time for the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford.

Manson and two of his followers, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel, remain in prison for life in the Tate killings. Their co-defendant, Susan Atkins, died of cancer behind bars in 2009. Another of the Tate killers, Charles "Tex" Watson, remains in prison.

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Associated Press Writer Don Thompson in Sacramento contributed to this report.