Manson follower Susan Atkins, with six months to live, granted parole hearing

Last year, doctors diagnosed Susan Atkins with terminal cancer, prompting a failed bid by the convicted murderer and Charles Manson follower to receive a "compassionate release" from state prison.

But Atkins, who gained infamy for her role in the 1969 slayings of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and others in a bloody two-night rampage in Los Angeles, may get one last chance to convince state parole officials she should no longer be kept behind bars.

Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Thursday they have scheduled a Sept. 2 parole hearing for Atkins in Los Angeles.

Atkins has served 38 years in prison, longer than any other female prisoner, officials said. Before last year's attempt, she was most recently considered for, and denied, parole in 2000.

In early 2008 Atkins was diagnosed with brain cancer. With one leg amputated and the other paralyzed, Atkins has only six months to live, doctors say. Atkins petitioned for so-called compassionate release, igniting a debate about when mercy is appropriate.

Those backing her release argued unsuccessfully that the cost of keeping Atkins in prison, which by now could be well over a million dollars, should have favored her release because it would save the state substantial amounts of money.

Others, including former Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, said it was a question of mercy and told The Times it was wrong to say "just because Susan Atkins showed no mercy to her victims, we therefore are duty-bound to follow her inhumanity and show no mercy to her."

But most were unwavering in their contention she should die in prison considering her crimes.

Tate, the wife of film director Roman Polanski, was 8 1/2 months pregnant when she and four others were killed at her hilltop home in Benedict Canyon. The actress, who was stabbed to death, had begged Atkins for her life.

"She asked me to let her baby live," Atkins told parole officials in 1993. "I told her I didn't have mercy for her."

Atkins was housed at the California Institution for Women in Corona from April 1971 until March 2008, when she was transferred to a local hospital for treatment.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Undated photograph of Susan Atkins. Credit: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation / Associated Press

Comments

[Victim Rights extremist]

Let the victims families be the final "parole authority" on this one!

[Erika]

There should be no mercy for her. This should not even be an issue. She was sentenced for a reason and has not been released for a reason.

[Freddy]

The article seems to imply that if she is released the State will no longer have to pay for her healthcare thus saving money. Why - does she have a few mil stashed on the outside? Of course not, the State will pay regardless of whether she is in or out.

[Nils]

Nope . You die in prison . We need to adopt this attitude to all the murderers . You go in ....you stay in . End of story .

[jamesincalifornia]

If she were released from prison now, how could she support herself? Who would care for her? How could she pay for medical or hospice care? Perhaps keeping her in prison is really the kind and humane decision at this final stage in her life.

[C Green]

I understand the desire to be compasionate in the cool of three decades worth of hindsight. Yet I find that whatever sufering she is doing is quite small compared to hacking a pregnant woman to death after the victim begged for mercy. do we as a society have no limits of excusing any misadventure no matter how beastly. I try to be compassionate in my life, yet her deeds exceed my limits.

[paul]

Cut off her other leg, and both hands, then let her out!!!

[Just Ed]

Release her to the death chamber in San Quentin.

[Mike]

Don't let time forget what she did. Keep her in prizon.

[Patrick]

Atkins says, "She asked me to let her baby live," Atkins told parole officials in 1993. "I told her I didn't have mercy for her."

I guess this is enough said. You must have some compasion before you can expect to rceive some compassion from others.

Patrick

[Reality Master]

This is the same woman that sliced Sharon Tate to death with a knife and was supposed to die last year. Just can't seem to do us all a favor and take her final journey (Her medical bills alone have cost the state over $2 million so far).

This is the same charmer who tried to carve Tate's baby out of her body after cutting her up. She drank the corpse's blood afterwards according to the court's records..

I don't care if she's repentant. I don't care if she's found God.

THIS WOMAN SHOULD BE ON A ONE-WAY TRIP TO HELL.

NEVER, EVER, LET HER OUT.

[KCSO053ret]

It is inconceivable this multiple murderer is being considered for release. She was an active participant in one of the most heinous crimes committed in recent history, and is impenitent. The specious argument that her release "would save the state" money is preposterous. She has no means of support and the state will pay for her care even if she is released. We may not be "duty-bound to follow her inhumanity" but we are certainly not obliged to reduce her lawful sentence to life in prison. Our moral obligation is to remember the victims with compassion...

[Big Jim Slade]

Susan Atkins was given the DEATH sentence. But for some temporary idiocy the California Supreme Court, she would have been executed decades ago.

The message sent by giving her a parole (for this blood sucking killing ghoul) would be just wrong.

[David]

Every one wonders why our state and county are broke???

Great example here, this woman killed innocent people and we have been clothing her, feeding her and housing her for 38 years and now she wants to be out in public.

She should have been wasted 38 yrs. ago and look how much money we would have saved.

You play, you pay.

Desparate times ask for desparate measures.....

[Shirley]

I don't have mercy for her.

[pam s.]

Do you think the parole board are reading these post? Do you think they care about our opinions? No...Do you think the bleeding hearts pleading for her release are being heard?

How many times has the voice of the California people spoken -both in elections and with our opinions- by a strong majority and been silenced by the bleeding hearts with no backbone or by those who only care about political correctness NOT MORAL correctness. (And all of you out there know exactly what I'm talking about!)

This monster's release will only confirm this, what I've said.
The voice of the people say make her stay -do her time-let her die in jail for her hideous deeds.

[David B]

If a collection is being taken, I would gladly contribute to any fund to keep her rotting behind bars. This person, this ugly human being, deserves no mercy whatsoever, not on this earth. She can get forgiveness from god. For now, let her rot to death. She can suffer just like she made her victims suffer and that unborn child who was murdered in the womb, just days from birth.

[Continuing In Name of Doris and Patti]

This has already been "pleaded" before with major outcries from the public to keep Atkins in prison for the remaining time of her life as testimony to the social fabric of our society that depends upon such sentencing being carried through as the 'contract' that the courts provide.
I am very pleased to read other comments targeting the lame argument of saving money in the prison system. Atkins is unable to become a productive member of society and her 'family' is simply a strange lawyer who married her to eat off her publicity, drain state funds to "defend" her remaining rights and has stated that he is writing a book (guess he can continue to make money off her horrid acts even after she draws her last breath). Atkins would continue to be a "charge of the state" and would likely cost more money to set up and maintain a private care situation in her husband's home.
Leave her in prison and provide minimal compassionate care, her involvement and continual lack of remorse far outweigh any sympathy I can summon.
C. Green @ 9:19am said it best and I fully agree with him/her.
Support the Doris Tate Foundation and Justice for Homicide Victims rather than waste any more time on the idiots who make such organizations a necessity.

[mike]

Let her die in prison. She should have been put to death 20 years ago. Deserves nothing but to complete her sentence.

[No Parole]

No mercy for baby killers!!
No mercy for baby killers!!
No mercy for baby killers!!
No mercy for baby killers!!

[Wow!]

What a lovely Christian group posting their murderous intentions. Surely we should torture her first, why give her a quickish death, let's prolong for days at a time before the coup de grace.

[Marianne]

I thought she had only six months to live last fall, according to the "evidence" presented at last fall's "compassionate" release hearing?

Her taxpayer-funded private hospital treatments must be working ... why?????

[George]

HEY we're talking California here.....the place run by all the compassionate liberals who have made it such a safe and stable, and affordable place to live....

[Timoteo]

Are we in Teheran or what?
Chop off her hands? Is that justice in Western society?
The previous comments reflect a society with the sick values little different than those Tate had 38 years ago. Or those in place in the Middle East today.
Where is your compassion? Where is your sense of forgiveness?
She committed an unspeakable crime 38 years ago.
This woman has one leg and brain cancer, with six months to live.
What more could you possibly want from her?

[Judith]

Didn't she stab poor Sharon Tate in her stomach? I say "NO mercy" for susan atkins. I agree--- she should have died in the gas chamber many years ago. Please don't release her.

[RD]

She was sentenced to life in prison. Let her die in prison. She and her friends didn't show any compassion when they murdered those people.

[Kirby]

Geez, you guys are as ruthless as she was then, quick to ask for blood aren't we? Lest I remind you guys she was 21 years old and on A LOT of LSD and roped into a cult with guru/psychopath Charlie. Although not normally as severe, hordes of successful people have talked endlessly about turning their lives around from gang-warefare, drugs, etc. and had the luxury of a second chance. Reformed mafia men get book deals and movies made about them for murdering more people, and she is consistently raked over the coals. She has spent almost twice her age at the time of her crime in prison, and no doubtedly has had PLENTY of time to reflect. Her life HAS been taken from her, and now her health as well. She has profusely apologized and regretted her actions, and under the circumstances (drugs, cult worship, brainwashing) I'm sure now she is no longer a threat to society. All you Christians should really go back to your bibles and research the meaning of forgiveness.

[richie]

In most cases I can see why society and the prison system has the compassionate release clause.
Although in the case of Atkins or Manson for that matter she should not be released. The heinousness of her crime and what transpired still resonates to this day. It still sends chills people to their core when hearing or reading about it. This wasnt a random robbery gone wrong.
This is her own making and soon she will have to face her maker.

[Pageb]

She was given a death sentence. but then reduced down to a life sentence. And that is what it should be. Plain and simple. I was 13 at the the time and to this day I rmember this murder well. What she did to Sharon Tate and her unborn 8 month old fetus is beyond words. Susan Atkins own words should be enough to seal her fath. Plenty of people die in prison everyday from cancer so she is just another one. This should not be an issue. PAROLE DENIED!

[Matt Weber]

Forgiveness is the noblest revenge.

[Eileen]

Susan Atkins did an awful thing nearly four decades ago when she was high and brainwashed by Manson. Others have done heinous things and been released, but this case is notorious, so she's being held to a different standard. She should be able to spend her last six months on this earth outside prison walls and being cared for by loved ones. The more cynical among you should be glad you're not going to have to pay for her care with your taxpayer dollars. Besides, with one leg amputated and the other paralyzed, do you really think she constitutes a threat?

[michael heldon]

I don't know whether I would release her or not, but I wish I was blessed with the black and white clarity so many of you seem to have. A little less venom would be nice - regardless how you feel.

[Tony]

I believe that the most humane thing would be to keep her in custody, and under the medical care she is currently receiving.

While it might sound altruistic and Christian to release her. How will she cover the inevitable and enormous medical expenses that will follow her to her dying day?

The State prosecuted her and elected to incarcerate her. We are legally and morally obligated to provide her with reasonable and necessary medical care. It would be the height of hypocrisy to dump this gravely ill woman out into the cold to fend for herself, in the guise of compassion, simply for the purpose of minimizing expenses.

[steve]

What happened to that smirk on her face during the trial????

[Debbie]

At least she still has one leg. What chance did Sharon Tate and her baby have? Keep her in jail until she no longer has breath.

[AL]

People who are sentenced to serve "life" terms in prison, need to serve the whole term. Just because she is sick does not mean she no longer owes a debt to society. If she truly had repented and found God, she would know this and wouldn't be asking to be paroled. She would understand that she owes a debt to society and being ill or even terminally ill does not negate that.

She thinks she deserves parole because she is sick? Since when do we sentence people for their crimes, but then say, oh not really. Yes, she was young, brainwashed, etc. But she also has to take responsibility for her actions, regardless of how sorry she is now. Just because you're sorry doesn't mean you don't have to take responsibility for what you did. I feel sorry for her that she is battling brain cancer, but if she hadn't committed a horrible crime, she wouldn't be in this situation.

[Juan]

What if she kills again on parole? Who'll be responsible for that? Maybe she's looking for some payback?

[tim m]

Holy cow, let her out. She should have been released a long time ago.
We jail people for punishment, and keep them in jail if they are a continuing threat.
Her entire life in jail? That's punishment.
She's clearly no threat.
Release her!

And, using the same logic, release Charles Manson too.
And Sirhan Sirhan.

Our corrupt justice system pays too much homage to the notoriety of the crime or the victim. True justice should not consider either.

[Killkillkill]

"Vincent Bugliosi, said it was a question of mercy and told The Times it was wrong to say "just because Susan Atkins showed no mercy to her victims, we therefore are duty-bound to follow her inhumanity and show no mercy to her."

This is from the man who prosecuted her. You idiots posting here are as bad as she is.

[Duane]

She asked me to let her baby live," Atkins told parole officials in 1993. "I told her I didn't have mercy for her."

What goes around, comes around.

[Killkillkill]

HEY we're talking California here.....the place run by all the compassionate liberals who have made it such a safe and stable, and affordable place to live....

Posted by: George | June 05, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Yeah, George, you're priceless...a wingnut who blames the "libs" because he and his fellow wingnuts want this woman to fry...

[prisoncosts money]

I could care less about mercy for her, but how about mercy for the taxpayers? When prisoners have severe medical conditions, they cost alot of money. Yes, as taxpayers, we wiil still pay for her health care, and that of other released prisoners with severe medical conditions. But, we won't have to pay for fat lazy soon to be retired prison guards sleeping while they get paid OT for watching these prisoners. Atkins is in a private hospital, and guess how many guards are watching her? Two, 24/7, 365. That means taxpayers are paying the salaries for 6 guards per 24 hour day to "supervise" a woman with one missing leg and one paralyzed leg. I was in prison, and know how little the guards actually work. Let's make them work for their money, not sleep for it.

[D Curmudgeon]

Let her have the option of assisted suicide. That would be a win-win solution. She gets "out" of prison and the taxpayers do not have to continue paying for her expensive care. If she was given only six months to live, will she even be alive in September?

[Joni Pasquinade]

She said that she didn't care about mercy.

Now she is asking that we (whoever) do care about mercy.

It's on her soul what she did. It's on ours if we support her freedom if she still has no mercy for others.

[No Name]

The sixties where like no other time everything was happening at the same time war drugs civil rights and more money and power and influence is keeping her there if she killed some low life she would
Have been free long ago.

[foryouno]

Americans have the highest incarceration rate in the western world. You incarcerate people for longer periods of time then any other nation in the west as well.
You still practice capital punishment.
And yet this punitive, blood-thirsty attitude has not only not decreased your crime levels; it continues to increase, and the recidivism is the highest as well.

What is wrong with this picture?

[Debbie]

First I just want to state that I am and have always been a believer in the death penalty. Not for the sake of deterring future murderers either, since I don't believe that has ANY affect on a murderer. I remember the Manson gang and their murderous rampage as if it were yesterday. I understand it had an as of yet to be equaled effect on the residents of So. CA. But I grew up in the NYC area and I'm telling you, it had the SAME EFFECT on all of us there too. That said, this woman appears to have done everything a murderer can do to try to make right her very evil deed. Do I believe that is the bar that should be considered in EVERY case of a murderer trying to get released? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But I do believe that in this case and as such, I believe that she should be allowed to die outside of prison walls. I'm sure that there are MANY churches that would be happy to sponsor her upon her release. Why not rise above the hate from so many decades ago? I believe that Vincent Bugliosi has it right......and that's all I have to say about that!

[TalkLeft]

She should rot in jail - and then hell - for her crimes.

[CaptNFirePants]

This is what CNN reported...."She has repeatedly been described as a model prisoner who has accepted responsibility for her role in the slayings, and she now shuns Manson."

Well, if she accepted responsibility, she wouldn't be asking to be paroled.

[JT]

After reading the majority of comments posted here, I'm ashamed to even be the same species as most of you. Are any of you the same person you were 40 years ago? How many of you have conquered problems you had back then? And how many of you have made those changes publicly?

This woman is exactly what the compassionate release program is about. Every day, she costs the state more money than she'd cost if she were out and her bills at a hospice or hospital were being paid for by the government. Why? Because we're paying for guards that aren't needed.

No amount of remorse would be enough for any of you who want her to die or be fried. For me, it's time to let her go. Nothing will bring back Sharon Tate or her baby and nothing will stop Susan Atkins from dying. I want to be on the record for saying I'll treat her the way I would treat anybody, in the same way I want to be treated. She deserves nothing less.

[KansasGirl]

She made her bed, now let her die in her "prison" bed.

[Diane]

No parole for her. Let her die a miserable death. The Tate/Polanski families lost a wife/sister/child/grandchild and maybe nieces/nephews. When she dies, someone should write PIG in her forehead in permanant marker. Make sure its red marker.

[rita]

I think they should leave her in the hospital and have her family pay the bill.

[Mark Erickson]

susan atkins and I went to high school togeather and this retired (fat and lazy sleep on the job) (Never) correctional officer
thinks she should be released when Sharon Tate personally
says she should be. She should
have had her sentence reinstated
when the law was reinstated.

[kerry]

im no bible basher but i do try to live a life based on christian values. questions like this can be very difficult - there is so much pain and such long memories. it makes it so much easier if i just ask myself the old cliched question - what would jesus do? - the answer then seems fairly staightforward to me. there is no value in keeping this woman in gaol to her last breath - only vengeance....

[pam]

If I remember correctly last year at her parole hearing they said she only had a few months to live - and she has yet lived another year. She needs to stay exactly where she is and finish the death sentence she should have. I feel our states leave these type of people on death row to long. When they are given the death penalty it should be carried out within 5 years max., instead of feeding, supporting, letting these nuts watch tv like putting them at a resort for 30 whatever years these people should not be caudled. STOP THE PAROLE HEARINGS FOR THESE CONVICT - MURDERERS.

[Angry citizen]

I was a young girl when this happened. I can't believe that some people think this selfless human being should be let out to die outside of prison walls.

I don't care how old, brainwashed, drugged she was decades ago. That didn't give her any excuse to do what she did to an innocent human being who don't have the choice to live out their lives.

What she did to Sharon Tate was deplorable. As far as I am concerned she gave up her right to die outside of the prison the day she committed the crime. My question to the people that are saying to let her out, would you feel the same way if it was a family member of yours that had been brutally murdered????? I was taught and live by something my grandmother told me when I was little, "What goes around comes around."

[Susan]

Susan Atkins perhaps has not paid her debt "in full", because only once she is gone will a majority (judging by comments so far) feel her debt is finally paid.

Of course the families of her victims feel she should stay in jail until her dying day, that's not a surprise.

Her sentence would have been quite different had her victims been everyday, ordinary folk - so the justice system differentiates between the classes? Of course.

I believe she should be given the opportunity to die with dignity at home with whatever family she has, put her under house arrest or pay for a 24 hr. guard, since guards are getting paid for their services in prison - why should it matter where her prison cell is.
Susan in BC, Canada

[Jill E.]

Susan Atkins - you deserve to be right where you are....I hope they never let you out, just by you asking for "mercy" tells me you don't get what you did...you don't deserve mercy ! In fact, I am going to write the parole board and ask that they deny you, again, you arrogant vile thing!

[Mark]

Wow! The majority of the posts on this issue certainly confirm for me the news reports that Christianity in America is on the decline. Posts which certainly reflect no understanding of the level of forgiveness demanded in the Bible. You folks are talking about an act that occurred nearly 40 years ago and also about a comment she made 16 years ago. A comment she made to she made to Sharon Tate 22 years before that. It was not a comment on how she feels all these years later. I certainly agree the crime she was a part of was heinous. I also know that she has spent the last 38 years working on correctly that mistake. I would be pretty comfortable in thinking God has forgiven her for her deeds. I'm also pretty sure God will take her home when he is finished with her here on earth. For the life of me I cannot figure out why we as a people on God's earh feel we have the right to make a judgement on her soul and whether she has repented. Appears to me alot of folks on this site need to pull the log out of their eye before before being so quick to judge her. Was she wrong? Yes she was. Do I think she has done all she can to correct that? Cetainly in this life time. Do I think she should be paroled? Most definitely.

[JacklynD]

A little walk down memory lane:

These people broke into a home of strangers and brutally terrorized them and killed them - slowly. According to Atkins own testimony, Sharon Tate 8 months pregnant begged Susan Atkins not to kill her baby, to please show mercy. She slit her open like a pig for no reason other than Charles Manson told them to do it. They wrote in blood on the walls of the house. They enjoyed it and celebrated afterwards.

Those of you who think that we are be unmerciful and should show pity are flat out wrong on this one. I don't believe in the death penalty but I do believe that Susan Atkins deserves no consideration.

[Amy Ware]

Their is a time for Mercy but I don't think this is it. Should we grant her Mercy or not, I'm not sure. What would the Christian thing to do be? The Bible may preach forgiveness but we are only human. I can't get past the fact that this woman took the life of a pregnant woman, who was begging her to spare the life of her child, forgiveness is something that comes with time and I am not ready for that yet so for me the answer would be no she does not deserve to be released, and if that means that she dies in prison I will not shed a tear for her, as I am sure she did not for that Mother and Baby.

[Tina Woodin]

Wow! There is a post that says "no mercy for baby killers!". I guess that ignorant person is somehow not aware that MILLIONS of women every year in this country murder their children by "choice" by having them slaughtered during abortions. You people cannot have it whatever way you want when you "choose" too. Murder is murder so I guess alot of women need to be imprisioned their entire lives for their "choice" to MURDER their children. Children murdered by their own mothers are no less innocent victims as Sharon Tates child was. But then I am actually a Christian so I actually understand people can ask and receive forgiveness. Remember as you are pointing the finger and judging others people like you will be more than happy to turn the tables on each other and that finger will be on you next!! It is a viscious circle your "choices" have put you in.

[scnt]

if we start to let people out for mercy reasons then what good is it too have laws . Because after serving x amount of years we are to let people out because they are ill. Im sorry but she was trialed and found guily let her stay . Or should we go back on all these other killers from adults to baby killers and feel sorry for them amd let them out . Wake up this is are laws and let them be carried out

[YOU.HAVE.GOT.TO.BE.KIDDING]

(1) FORYOUNO.... your statement "You" when speaking of Americans. Are you kidding me? You can't name a country that bends over backwards FURTHER for the rights of the criminal than this one. When you state "You" in speaking of Americans that lets me know you don't consider yourself one. So you should (a) butt out - it aint your business, your not an American, or a member of any of these families; and b. if you're living here - PLEASE LEAVE NOW.
(2) TIMOTEO - Tehran? you'd never hear of her again if it was.
You are too naive for words. And I just KNOW that if this was a member of you family, you'd sing a different song.
I PERSONALLY KNOW TRUCK LOADS OF PEOPLE WHO GOT VERY VERY HIGH IN THE 60s AND NEVER EVEN THOUGHT of hurting someone. People blame the drugs/alcohol. Face it, the killers would have done this high or NOT! It took 2 days for them to complete the carnage. They admitted to it. They weren't high the WHOLE time and the planning stages included time when all or some of them were sober. THESE ARE PEOPLE, ALL THESE KILLERS, THAT WILL NEVER EVER CHANGE. They are "model" prisoners only hoping for release. You want compassion? Let her commit suicide, as suggested above. STOP AND THINK ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO STAB A BEAUTIFUL DEFENSELESS 8.5 MONTH PREGNANT WOMAN IN THE STOMACH WHILE SHE BEGS FOR HER LIFE!!!!! NOW, PLACE THAT WOMAN IN YOUR FAMILY OR AS A NEIGHBOR, FRIEND. AND YOU STILL SAY SHE SHOULD BE RELEASED? Suicide would get her out of prison fast enough. We know she's into killing, she has had plenty of time to kill herself. Oh but wait, these sick bastards NEVER do anyone the favor of killing themselves. Shouldn't that tell you something? They live to kill for any reason. They ARE NOT REDEEMABLE!!!!!

[david]

BYE

[Shirley]

OK, some points: 1. Some of you seem to think that b/c the crime occurred 40 yrs. ago we should forget it. Does that mean that we shouldn't have punished the Holocaust criminals after 1985? After all, that was 40 yrs after 12 million people were slaughtered. 2. Susan Atkins recieved mercy. She wasn't executed. 3. While I agree that the justice system is biased against offenders in lower socio-economic brackets, that doesn't justify letting Atkins off the hook out of bitterness about social injustice. These were truly savage crimes. By the way, Timoteo, any discussion in this forum of Sharon Tate's values is in woefully bad taste, especially since she isn't here to defend herself. 4. It isn't as if Atkins is being tortured or neglected. She's receiving more than adequate medical care. 5. Repenting of one's sins doesn't absolve a person fr. his/her debt to society. If you want to quote the Bible, Jesus said, "Render under Caesar what is Caesar's." Atkins' soul may belong to God, but the Bible clearly empowers man to dispense earthly justice, which brings me to the point I meant to make in the first place. To me this case isn't a question of morality. The US system of justice operated effectively in this woman's case. She recieved a fair trial and a competent defense attorney. A jury of her peers determined her sentence. Who are we to undermine that system by allowing our personal interpretations of justice, vengeance, morality, mercy, and pity to alter that sentence? Releasing her would set a dangerous precedent.

[Linda Burgess]

Just stop and think for a minute,, If Sharon Tate was your daughter and the baby in her tummy was your grandbaby. Would you want her to get out? Its alot easier to judge people when its not happened to your family.

[Shirley]

Oh, I forgot a couple of things. In my opinion, any discussion of cost in this case is obscene. This should be about justice, not money. And yes, Atkins was in thrall to Manson, but that doesn't excuse what she did. One of the jurors in the trial put it best when she said that they (the jurors) believed that any control Manson exercised over his henchmen came not from any power of his but from the void within the minds and souls of his followers.

[Leea]

I have to laugh at most of the ridiculous comments on here. The idea of suggesting that Susan Atkins, with one leg and brain cancer, could pose a risk to anyone is the most idiotic thing I've heard for a long time. I also wonder just why this crime still stands out for so many as being particularly horrific. Worse crimes are committed all the time nowadays and nobody cares. People rape and kill little children and are treated more compassionately than this woman. I wonder if it helps the victims' families to feel better. I would guess not.

[jose barata]

i'm not god, we are not god but
she killed inocent and defensless human beings
so, human justice
prison for life, as the one she condemned all they killed
the problem is not IF she is a threat
what would sharon tate think?????

don't release her ever

[Shirley]

Again, according to the teachings of most religions, it is certainly possible for even the most sinful person to seek and recieve forgiveness. But if there is any religious doctrine saying that the offender is then free from earthly justice I don't know about it. And I agree with another contributor. Can't we have a little less venom, regardless of our differing views?

[I pity the family]

I have pity for the Tate family in that they could not move on and have forgiveness and mercy for those that have caused them great pain.

Where are they going to direct their anger and hatred once all of the Manson family is gone?

[Lucia Berry]

She is getting better medical care then many of Americans who have never even jay walked. She should finish her sentence and we have to bare the cost. It is our moral duty as a society.
Where she has come within herself and her relationship with God is is not for us to judge. We can only pray that God has washed her clean for her next journey as it is also inorder for us to pray for those families that have been affected to have peace as well. There are things that should never happen but still do everyday. The victims go unheard but not forgotten.......We should all demand the world to be a better place by how we live each day and keeping a standard. All things will be brought to justice in the end when we each have to face God.

[Nadine]

To commit a crime in the manner that you have, lets me know that you deserve to rot in prison. You chose to be a follower, so you should continue your destination in prison along with your leader, because he will never get out, and neither shall you.

[Submom]

So many of the comments talk about what terrible Christians are in the world and commenting on this article because there is little or no talk of forgiveness but forgiveness and release from prison are not equivalent. I suspect many people are more forgiving than they sound. Forgiveness enlarges the soul. It is something that makes the forgiver feel better. What this woman did was and is awful beyond measure. As a society we need to forgive. However, we should never forget lest we repeat the awfulness of the past. The prison sentence is payment for her actions. The payment is not yet finished.

[JPeaslee]

I'm sorry that she's dying such a terrible death, but then - so did Sharon Tate.
And I'm glad she and ht eothers didn't have to die by way of the death penalty, but let's face it - Susan was given a life sentence. LIFE sentence, not a "healthy life sentence."

And I'll never forget some of things that she said. Terrible, terrible things. Maybe she's changed. But maybe she hasn't.

[Sir Arthur]

I doubt that she would pose any significant public threat from her release and she does seem to have shown a very high level of contrition in the last decade.
I have read her book "child of satan child of god' which came out only a few years after the murders and was a white wash of her part in the crimes, it glossed over the horrific details and read like a rather simple childs journal - but also like someone who was trying to get out of the situation she had found herself in and by hook or by crook.
The compassion was found when her death sentance was revoked, the fact that she may actually now realise the horrific nature of her crimes is a good thing, and she will also realise how sacred life is, so with that in mind she should spend the rest of her days in prison - you reap what you sow

[will]

After 40 years in prision,whats another 6 months till she dies!

[Cyndiejean]

The only way that Susan Atkins should leave prison is in a hearse. She was already shown mercy when her death sentence was commuted to life in prison. Life should mean life. I don't believe she has ever expressed true remorse for her crimes or taken responsibility for them. She blames her childhood, drugs, Manson, etc. Susan had a baby and although she did not raise him, he still had life. Sharon Tate's baby did not have that option. No first steps, first day of school, graduation, wedding etc. His life was snuffed out before he drew his first breath. Susan claims to have "found God." Only God can judge if her conversion is genuine or a ploy to gain parole. People supporting her release say that it is a burden on the state to keep her incarcerated. However, if she is released, who do you think will absorb the cost of her care? She is unemployed, unable to work, and indigent. She will be receiving her medical care compliments of the state of California. If she truly has only six months to live, she will soon be in the presence of the One who can truly judge her heart and redeem her. Until then, Susan should answer to the temporal powers here on earth and complete her sentence. That is justice.

[Paulette]

What gets me most of all at this point is the fact that Susan has changed her story soooooo many times. She killed Sharon, then she didnt kill her, blah blah blah. To me this is called a compulsive liar, one who can't seem to tell the truth ever. Okay, so she was a young kid strung out on drugs and vulnerable to a psycho like Manson. If I was in that same
scenario, I would never have had the capability of killing anyone, regardless of the drugs or the influence., That being said though, we know what she is, but the time has come.
She served enough time, she is dying, let her go. Its over - let
it be!!

[pehammer]

Just for the record, Susan Atkins did not receive a life sentence - she received 7 years to life, so the "life means life" argument holds no ground here. I feel it's time to let her go, but that's my opinion and you're welcome to yours. Either way it will have no bearing on the outcome - she will never be released.

[Cynthia (Baeta) Erickson]

I also went to high school with Susan, though she moved on within a year, if my memory serves me correctly. In fact, I had several classes with her.
Her father worked for the Bureau of Reclamation, when the San Luis Dam was being built. I believe her mother had passed on, so she was left to take on the responsabilities of caring for her little brother and her dad, who was very much an alcoholic.
The girl was starved for attention and affection. I felt sorry for her back then, because the Jocks, (PUNKS!, IMO) used and abused her. And then, they couldn't wait to get back to school to tell everyone about it. I always felt sorry for her when we were in school.
Susan was actually a sweet girl, back then - and very intelligent - had anyone given her half a chance, they might have seen the good in her, also.
I'd have never dreamed she'd be spending the majority of her life in a prison for such heinous crimes, or any crime, for that matter. To this day, I believe Madman Manson was the sole force of evil behind the horrendous acts of murder his clan committed. He sought after the weak and the unloved and used them to fulfill his every sick and hateful desire.

[Tom Baker]

"Do you think the parole board are reading these post?"

I doubt if the typical parole board member reads anything, except perhaps the National Enquirer.

"Do you think they care about our opinions?"

They don't care about anything except feeling self-important.

"Do you think the bleeding hearts pleading for her release are being heard?"

About as much as the spiteful, vindictive haters who hide behind the bible.

[linda meier]

I am SORRY for anyone with cancer. But this PERSON had no mercy on anyone THEN...why should WE have mercy on her?
God rest her soul..

[Melli]

Susan Atkins received mercy when her death sentence was commuted to 7 years to life; there is nothing left to gain by releasing her. The most merciful thing would be to let her complete her sentence of life in prison quietly and with out incident. This shows mercy to her, mercy to the victims and to the families who are affected by the tragedy of what she and others took part in, namely, the slaughter of innocent human life. It has nothing to do with forgiveness or whether or not she is a risk to society. It has everything to do with the justice system and how that justice is meted out for the horrific crimes that were committed. Anything less would be a travesty of justice.

[Tom Hartman]

I think it's bizarre that many are aghast that Atkins showed no mercy, and yet they have none to show for her.

There are murderers who have done less time than she has, and there are people on streets all of the world far more dangerous than a paralyzed woman who can't sit upright in bed.

TH

[Matt Brault]

I think that everyone is misinterpreting that "life sentence" means "life without eligibility for parole". Susan committed heinous acts but has been eligible to apply for parole multiple times over the years, and depending on the assessments of the parole board members, could have been released. She wasn't, being deemed a potential danger, the legal system's "gray area". Would a parole board member deem Susan a potential risk if she were eligible today? Doubt it; she can barely move. Show Susan (and CA taxpayers!) the kindness she could not display 40 years ago and get her out of the prison system. Denying parole is about calculating risk, not punishment.

[Cheriann363]

I was not even born yet when the Tate/LaBiance murders took place, but from the time I first read Helter Skelter when I was 15 years old, I have had very strong opinions on the Manson family. As I have gotten older, and hopefully wiser, my opinions have changed. I did a research paper in college in the '90's regarding diminished capacity, and whether I believed mitigating circumstances were a valid concern in Manson's co-defendants, based on the level of control he was exerting on them. At that time, I was 100% convinced that ALL of them were pure evil, did what they truly wanted to do, and that with or without Manson, they would have killed. I was of the lock them up, throw away the key philosophy. Now, almost 20 years later, and having actually experienced life, rather than just reading about it, I find my feelings much different....I have felt for awhile that Leslie VanHouten should have been released long ago, and now, surprisingly I find myself thinking I would be ok with Susan Atkins being released. Whenever Leslie's parole hearings would come up and people would talk, I would always say, "let her out, but NEVER let out Atkins, Manson, or Watson". The reasoning for that is I just still saw those three as potential threats to society. Now, though........Susan Atkins is a threat to no one, and to keep her in prison to die seems, well, merciless. The argument that she showed no mercy to her victims just rings hollow now. Shouldn't we strive to be better than she was? And as for what Sharon Tate would say to her being released, WE DON'T KNOW! She seemed like a very kind, forgiving person, so I don't think it is out of the question to think she might show the mercy she wasn't shown. As the niece of a murder victim, I also think the argument about the victim's family's opinion isn't really valid. Not every family member of a murder victim is starved for vengance and out for blood. We, too, have the capacity to forgive, and sometimes we just need a little push in that direction. Speaking from very personal experience, I found that when I let go of the anger towards the man that killed my Uncle, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Maybe the Tate's, as hard as it might be, just need to let a little of the anger go.

[Englishgirl]

Susan Atkins should die in prison. I am being so blunt because that is what life in prison should mean. Don't get me wrong, I do feel some sadness when I hear of her plight, after all I am human with feelings, however, all it takes is for me to think of what she did and I feel physically sick. It was an evil, vile and disgusting thing to do, more so that it was one heavily pregnant woman pleading to another mother for her to spare her and her baby's life, yet what did she do? proceded to stab Sharon Tate. I am glad she has recognised what she has done and feels remorse, however she should recognise that for what she did she deserves to die in jail no matter how much of a changed woman she is. If she wants to prove to Sharon Tate's family that she is as sorry as she says she is, she should accept that her life should end in prison. I will be disgusted if she is released

[Victoria]

She wants to get out? She wants to save the state of California money? Stick a needle in her arm and euthanize her! Problems solved!

[Eddie W]

My own sisty died of this type of cancer last January. I saw what it did to her, so I can say that the the person Susan Atkins was is already gone. If she is as close to death as they say, then its doubtful she even knows who she is or where she is at. She has to pay for her crimes? She no longer knows what crimes she is paying for. To have let her out like 3 or 4 months ago would have been to show mercy,,,at this point I think it matters not where she dies.

[Lester]

This person denied everything which is human. Her crime cannot be forgiven EVER. Does not count a bit if it's 40 yrs later now and how she had changed since then. She had no remorse at all (just remember how she kept giggling during her trial) and the society must not have mercy for her at all.

In more straight times she would have been hanged, drawn and quartered. Now it is civilized times so she shall rot behind bars then rot in Hell and her memory shall be damned FOREVER.

[ddm97]

"Compassionate release"? I don't understand how having the woman serve out her sentence is considered uncompassionate. If she qualifies for parole then she should be paroled but as for now the woman is receiving medical care for her illness paid for by the taxpayers of the state of California. Isn't that compassionate enough? Who's going to take care of her and pay for that care after she's released? Maybe Squeaky Fromme will care for her since she just got out of jail and they can start up a new family.

[Phyllis]

I am 53 yrs. old and I remember when all of the murders took place. Believe me when I say I feel for the families involved. I also believe it was an awful thing The Mansons did but, I can't help wondering if justice isn't being served? Susan has cancer,that is a terrible way to go. Utimatley, God will judge her along with all of us who have never done the things she has done,Wouldn't we like a break if it were us? Let her out to go peacefully and pay eternally for her crimes! What will we have to answer for?

[Melanie]

Susan supposedly believes God shall give her His Mercy. Then She should be more than content to die where she is. Apparently God wants Susan in prison or she would not be. She should not doubt Him now.

[CW]

The reason to show mercy to a dying human being?

We're not the "monsters".

At least we shouldn't be, ideally. Don't you think?

[in the trenches]

Let the lady out, she own her last leg. 38 yrs in prison let her die at home, why keep wasting taxpayers money.

[Liz]

Every breath she takes is one breath Sharon Tates unborn child never had the chance to take. Think about THAT! Let her takeher LAST breath in jail. I hope its as painful as possible.

[Uncle Jerri]

Susan, get well soon!