Manson follower Susan Atkins being considered for compassionate release

AP | June 13, 2008

[Lizavetta]

CORONA, Calif. (AP) — Former Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins, convicted in the 1969 murder of actress Sharon Tate, could soon be released from prison because she is near death, authorities said.

Atkins, 59, is terminally ill and being considered for so-called "compassionate release," state corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton said. She gave no details of Atkins' illness, but said a doctor had determined she had less than six months to live.

The corrections department was reviewing the request, which if approved would then be passed to the state Board of Parole which has the power to release Atkins under state law so they can die with loved ones, at their expense.

Such releases are relatively rare — only 10 of the 60 requests made last year were granted, Thornton said. The prisoners must have family members willing and able to care for them.

Atkins, now a gray-haired, matronly looking woman, was one of cult leader Manson's ersatz hippie "family" of young killers who burst into a Beverly Hills home 39 years ago and killed Tate, the pregnant wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski, along with four others. The following night they stabbed to death a wealthy couple in their Los Angeles home.

Atkins has been denied parole 11 times, most recently in 2005.

She was housed in the California Institution for Women in Corona for 37 years, but has been in a nearby hospital since March.

[theDentist]

When Sharon Tate gets a compassionate release, then we’ll consider it.

[KosmicKitty]

so they can die with loved ones, at their expense.

The ONLY reason she should be released is to save the tax payers of California the expenses involved with her illness and funeral. She's been supported by them for almost 40 years since her death sentence was converted to life in prison.

[blam]

2005 Susan Atkins Parole Hearing

[beezdotcom]

She should claim a prison religious conversion. That would do the trick.

Only if she converts to Islam.

[PhilDragoo]

She wants to help out on the Obama campaign.

Since they share the same reverence for the unborn.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

All Sharon Tate’s family can do is to come visit the gravsite of her and her unborn baby.

Unfortunately that's not the only thing they can do. Her mother, Doris Tate had to actively fight every Manson family parole hearing until her death in 1992. Her sister Patti continued her mother's good work but died in 2000. Her middle sister Debra now attends every Manson family parole hearing. I don't think any of the Tates should have had to attend one parole hearing as there shouldn't be any for the scum.

[Gay State Conservative]

Dr Death got a ‘compassionate release” a couple of years ago because he was said to be at death’s doorstep but he’s still alive.I say keep her *in* and put him *back* in.

[DoughtyOne]

How much compassion did Susan Adkins show?

Let her rot in her own hovel. Hell no she shouldn’t be released.

And as for her being in a local hospital, did Sharon Tate get that? No, she had her baby stabbed to death in her stomach.

We have turned into a hand wringing spineless caterer to the most file creatures known to have existed on planet earth.

What have we become anyway? It’s disgusting!

[windcliff]

ping

[kenth]

Murder is murder. But, while some of those in Gitmo may have only been captured trying to kill, Manson’s followers brutally killed a young woman and her baby along with the others. If were going to compare, I’d say Manson’s gang was pretty brutal.

[theDentist]

Guilty

[Pharmer]

She has had all the compassion she deserves. She, along with Patricia Krenwinkle, Leslie Van Houten and the pillar of the community Chuckie Manson were sentenced to death, only to have their sentences commuted to life as the California Supreme Court put in moratorium on executions in the state. Let us not forget the horror that was the Manson Family. They even had one of their lawyers killed during the trial. Putting these guys away was the best thing Vincent Bugliosi did.

[The KG9 Kid]

No. HELL no.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Putting these guys away was the best thing Vincent Bugliosi did."

After hearing a recent interview with VB on his new book...

...I'm beginning to think Manson may have been the sanest person in that courtroom.

[satan]

So much for a “life” sentence .....again.

[uglybiker]

She should claim a prison religious conversion. That would do the trick.

She could stay at Pat Robertson's place. I think he's got a spare bedroom.

[armymarinemom]

She should claim a prison religious conversion

She did that a long time ago and even wrote a book about it.

[MarineBrat]

[cubreporter]

You are right. I had no idea her mother and sister passed. Isn’t it sad that they had to die while this kind of scum live on? I guess that means justice is waiting for those dark, evil devils.

I’m sad to say I’m really beginning to lose faith in so many things. Evil reigns, innocent children suffer, people die at the hands of others and the country is going downhill. It’s too much to think about and makes my stomach sick inside.

[maine-iac7]

37 years in jail. Clear track record of acceptance of her personal guilt and responsibility.

'track record'

Well, when a person is locked up in jail away from society, it's hard to continue their heinous acts...

I have always barfed at prisoners being released for "good behavior" = like child molesters - who haven't molested any children since being in prison. (Think about it = it'll catch up to ya)