Story highlights "He earned it," defense attorney says of recommendation

California parole board formally recommends parole for Bruce Davis, 70

Governor must modify, affirm or reverse the recommendation in 30 days

Davis is serving a life sentence for 1969 first-degree murders of two men

California Gov. Jerry Brown is considering whether to grant parole to a convicted murderer who followed notorious killer Charles Manson, a spokeswoman for the governor said.

Brown's office received a formal recommendation from the state board parole Friday to release Bruce Davis , 70, who would be the first Manson "family" member to secure freedom solely for good behavior.

Brown has 30 days -- or until March 3 -- to either modify, affirm or reverse the parole board's recommendation, a corrections spokeswoman said.

In 2010, Davis secured his first formal recommendation for parole by the state board, but then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reversed the board's decision.

Davis was sent to prison on April 21, 1972, for the 1969 first-degree murders of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea. Davis is serving a life sentence.

Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate This image of infamous inmate Charles Manson was issued in August 2017. Manson, the cult leader whose followers committed heinous murders almost a half century ago, died Sunday , November 19, of natural causes, according to the California Department of Corrections. He was 83. Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate This image of Manson was taken in 2011. He served nine life terms in California prisons and was denied parole 12 times. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate In this 2009 prison photo, Manson is seen without his trademark long hair. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate Manson is seen slightly disheveled in this 2006 prison photo. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate Manson is pictured in a prison photo from 2002. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate Manson in a 1996 prison photo. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate Manson smirks at the camera in this 1978 photo. Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate In this 1970 photo, Manson is seen with a swastika tattoo on his forehead. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Charles Manson: The infamous inmate This 1969 mugshot shows Manson soon after the murder of actress Sharon Tate. Hide Caption 9 of 9

JUST WATCHED Manson tapes shed light on cold cases? Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Manson tapes shed light on cold cases? 02:56

JUST WATCHED Is Manson my dad? DNA test will show Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Is Manson my dad? DNA test will show 05:39

Michael Beckman, Davis' attorney, urged Brown to grant parole.

If the case were not connected to Charles Manson, Davis would have already been released by now, Beckman said. He called it "not fair."

"He earned it," Beckman said.

"I think the governor should respect the work by his parole board. That hearing took five or six hours. They took into account everything about Bruce. And they didn't grant him parole as a favor. They didn't grant him parole on a whim. They considered it very carefully," Beckman said.

In 2010, the parole board said that Davis had not been disciplined since 1980 and participated in all available education, vocation and self-help programs.

Davis is one of several imprisoned followers of Manson, 78, who is serving a life sentence for nine murders.

Manson led his "family" of followers in a deadly spree in 1969, whose victims included eight-months-pregnant actress Sharon Tate.

Manson, whose gruesome killings inspired the best-selling book "Helter Skelter," will be up for parole again 15 years from now, when he would be 92.