Charles Manson 'Granted Parole' Declared a Hoax

An article claiming that Charles Manson has been granted parole has turned out to be a hoax.

The fake story started on the website Empire News, a self-described satirical website.

The bogus report read: "One of the most famous killers in the American prison system will be walking free. On Tuesday Charles Manson, who is now 79 years old, was granted parole by the California Board of Parole and authorized by California Governor Jerry Brown."

"According to California Board of Parole Hearings Commissioner John Peck, prison overcrowding forced the prison board to re-evaluate prisoners that are elderly or those with serious illnesses. In February a panel of federal judges ordered California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) two more years to reduce chronic prison overcrowding that has cost the state billions of dollars."

The hoax story quickly spread on Facebook and Twitter and many users took to social media to share the news.

The 79-year-old California cult leader is infamous for leading a murderous spree in 1969. He was denied parole for the 12th time in 2012.

Manson is serving a life sentence for orchestrating seven murders in Los Angeles, committed by a cult he formed known as the Family. Manson, an ex-convict and budding musician, directed his followers to commit a series of slayings of high-profile people. Among their victims was actress Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski. She was eight months' pregnant when murdered.