Ex-Manson follower says she's political prisoner

Houston Chronicle ^ | May 31, 2003 | Associated Press

[Ciexyz]

Larry King had Lesley Van Houten on some years ago and I remember thinking, this woman isn't a normal human being. There was something missing behind her act of being a reformed prisoner. You could sense something dark about her. Esp. remembering how the Manson clan creeped into houses late at night and stalked the inhabitants, as in the LoBianco murders.

[man of Yosemite]

That's absolutely true, but people who commit murder are not free to judge themselves, nor should they be.

[Houmatt]

You know, I had been looking for a site like that myself. For some reason, though, every site that claimed to have photos either had them deleted or the site was gone. My hat is off to you, fine sir/madam.

Yes, if anyone REALLY wants to know why Atkins should never be allowed a single moment of freedom; if you want to know the real reason she is in jail, PLEASE visit this site.

Your conscience will thank you later.

[Bonaparte]

Agreed. The only mercy a killer is entitled to is a quick execution.

[weegee]

The sentences were later commuted to life when the Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in the 1970s.

So she escaped the death penalty and is serving a LIFE sentence. And she wants out. What is the purpose of a "life sentence" then?

Some who support the death penalty say it is a way of making sure that some convicted criminals never walk in public again. Opponents say that they can be sentenced to "Life In Prison". Doesn't look like it does much good, they are still elligible for parole.