Manson follower Susan Atkins loses 13th attempt at freedom -- and it may be her last

Thirteen times, Manson family member Susan Atkins has asked to be released from prison. And 13 times, the parole board has denied her request.

The latest denial came Wednesday, when the state parole board voted unanimously to deny one of Charles Manson’s fiercest followers her request for “compassionate release” so she could die at home.

Dying of cancer, this might have been her last attempt at freedom, which has met with strong resistance.

“As sad as Mrs. Atkins looks today, it pales against the crime scene photos,” said Patrick Sequeira, an L.A. County deputy district attorney who has opposed the release of the Manson killers at several hearings. 

Atkins, 61, has only months to live, doctors say. The issue of mercy has long dogged Atkins. Nearly 40 years ago, actress Sharon Tate begged the knife-wielding killer to spare her life and that of her unborn child. “She asked me to let her baby live,” Atkins told parole officials in 1993. “I told her I didn’t have mercy for her.”

On Wednesday night, the parole board, meeting at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, had little mercy for Atkins, who slept on a gurney for much of a hearing that began in the early afternoon.

It was the same result as last year when, despite the presence of a number of supporters and the approval of the prosecutor who put her behind bars, the 12-member California Board of Parole unanimously voted to deny Atkins’ release.

She is serving a life sentence for the slaying of Tate, 26, who was 8 1/2 months' pregnant, and musician Gary Hinman.

She has served 38 years in prison, longer than any other female in the state. The victims’ relatives and supporters opposed Atkins’ release, saying she showed no mercy on Aug. 9, 1969, when she and other Manson followers entered a hilltop Benedict Canyon home and murdered the five people.

A former topless dancer who used to sing in her church choir, Atkins was one of Manson’s most loyal disciples.

After fatally stabbing Tate, prosecutors said, Atkins tasted the actress’ blood and used it to write “PIG” on the front door of the home.

During her trial, which took more than nine months, Atkins seemed to show no remorse and maintained utter devotion to Manson, whom she called “Jesus Christ,” “the devil” and “the soul.”

During sentencing, she taunted the court, saying, “You’d best lock your doors and watch your own kids.”

Atkins is now considered a model prisoner known for helping others. She has been married to an Orange County attorney for 21 years.

In recent years, she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. One of her legs has been amputated and the other is paralyzed, authorities said.

Some of her supporters have argued that releasing Atkins would save the state substantial amounts of money in medical and prison expenses.

Former Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi said it was time for the state to show Atkins mercy. He told The Times last year that 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.”

“She’s already paid substantially for her crime, close to 40 years behind bars. She has terminal cancer. The mercy she was asking for is so minuscule. She’s about to die. It’s not like we’re going to see her down at Disneyland,” said Bugliosi, who wrote the best-selling book “Helter Skelter.”

Atkins was first denied parole in 1976. She will be eligible to go before the parole board again in 2012, but doctors say it’s unlikely she’ll live that long. As she lay on a gurney, death seemed to be on Atkins’ mind. She read from Psalm 23 with her husband, James Whitehouse.

But family members of those killed by Atkins and other members of the Manson clan said she should die behind bars.

“I will pray for her soul when she draws her last breath,” said Debra Tate, the sister of Sharon Tate.

During a parole board hearing last year in Sacramento, supporters of Atkins spoke for more than 90 minutes, offering glowing testimonials of her transformation into a decent human being. But even though they were outnumbered then, family and friends of the Manson victims offered haunting portraits of the pain left in the wake of the killings, and of Atkins’ unmerciful response to Tate as she pleaded with the killer.

-- Richard Winton, Hector Becerra and special correspondent Ann Ellis reporting from Chowchilla

Photo: Convicted murderer Susan Atkins lies on a gurney during a parole hearing as her husband holds her hand. Credit: Ben Margot

Comments

[JM]

'Former Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi said it was time for the state to show Atkins mercy. He told The Times last year that 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.” '
I guess the notion that we are a christian society can be put the rest when we can't show some forgiveness.

[Sara]

Glad to see this parole board upheld her sentencing. The woman deserves no mercy. Maybe Scotland should take notes.

[Linda]

Prison is, first and foremost, about punishment for the crime committed. This woman received the death sentence for her crime -- she has already received "mercy" in that she is being allowed to live out her natural life.

[Leslie]

I think Susan Atkins' death should take place behind bars.

I completely oppose the death penalty, and letting someone like Atkins out only strengthens the hand of those who advocate for the death penalty.

I'm glad that Susan Atkins did not commit the same kinds of horrific crimes inside of prison that she did outside of prison. It's nice that she was able to get married and live out her life, such as it is.

The nature of Atkins' crimes, however, is so horrific, that I honestly don't care if she gets to die with her loved ones near. To my mind, her willingness to request parole speaks to the face that she has no remorse for her actions. To my mind, a truly contrite person would not even ask for this consideration.

[Ellen M]

Does forgiveness include removing the consequences of one's actions?

[Mike]

She removed herself from humanity 38 years ago. It really doesnt matter what she thinks or feels or has done in prison after that. Her life has no value. She has not contributed to society, and removed others from society that did and potentially could. She denied Tate and her unborn, potentially 140 years of life. She should not be seen as anything more than an animal.

The time for mercy was 38 years ago when putting her to death would have been more merciful than forcing her to live the rest of her life behind bars.

[judith Thayer]

Let God forgive her!

[Mike]

The Charlie Manson murders happened when I was yet a young boy but it has alway been a scar on my mind and yes it did change the way we looked at the 'love' generation and strangers.
Let her die as her victims did, without hope, alone, scared wondering why...and if she prays let her pray to Charlie - he led her then he can lead her now.

[George]

Only the victims of crime are entitled to show "mercy" or forgive the perpetrators of crimes against them. It's very easy for those who were not in
concentration camps to forgive an 85 year old guard at same. But only those who were prisoners at those concentration camps are entitled to forgive. In other words, I have no right to forgive someone who has perpetrated a wrong against someone else. Only the person harmed has that right. The victims of her crime have spoken. She stays in jail. If she is truly repentant, God will forgive.

[Justice4All]

Susan, "what goes around, comes around.."

[Matt]

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

[Will]

This isn't about forgiveness. This is about the justice system JM. If it were your family that was brutally murdered, would you want the murderer released?

Bad question. Probably would. JM - did you also think it was a good think for the Lockerbie bomber to be released too? After all, he only killed a couple hundred people.

Then again, the justice system has an obligation to the people to take these criminals off the streets. Not to forgive them.

[AM]

JM,

You're right about one thing. We are NOT a christian society. We are a melting pot of many, many religions and secular people. There is no endorsed religion by our gov't and the first amendment protects the American people against anyone who tries to force their religion (or religious ideas) on to anyone else. It is freedom FROM religion as much as it is freedom OF religion. And, no, this country was not founded on christian principles. It was founded by deists who believed in a creator but despised the christian bible and its "fairy tales." The religious right has been trying to skew history over the past few years and judging by your "notion" they are are doing a fantastic job. So sad to see the sheep following without asking questions.

[DRE DAWG]

People...this is the life she created when she killed those people.

JM...that's not how forgiveness works. Forgiveness is granting pardon for an offense. When you pardon someone, you release them from the guilt or consequences of their actions. Atkins was pure evil for following Manson, killing in his name, and showing absolutely no remorse for what she did...and actually threatening the victem's families afterward!

You don't forgive someone just because you've deemed it a christian thing to do...christianity doesn't corner the market in forgiveness. That's self righteous and completely self serving to make YOU feel better.

[jon]

The irony of it all, is that most of those against showing Atkins mercy, are probably vocal Christians. The hypocrisy kind of numbs one.

[Kiva]

No Mercy

So Years ago, this woman was influenced by some crazy man who convinced her and many others that he was some sort of god and got them to do horrible things to other people. For this she was sentenced life in prison.

OK, I get that. No mercy for her.

"In recent years, she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. One of her legs has been amputated and the other is paralyzed..."

So this is now, when she gets to live among other people who also have a bad reputation and can empathize with her situation. On top of it she gets brain cancer and instead of suffering with it she gets treatment... on our dime.

This is the definition of no mercy here, eh. If I got brain cancer I would surely suffer and die from it with no treatment cause I can't afford it.

Gee wiz, people! The brain cancer and being paralyzed and having a leg amputated IS the no mercy part. The universe handled it. Read between the lines..... that means relatives of the victims too... you have been paying for her to live and receive treatment over the years. Do you understand? You are footing the bill for the life of this person who killed someone you love.

Had she been released, say, 10 years ago and told she now had to make her own way it would have been very difficult for her and she would have had to live among NORMAL people who disapprove of what she did, and she would have had to explain her way through life. (i.e. Getting a job, who would hire her. Finding a place to live, who would want her in their building.)
You wanna be hard core, that's no mercy. let them sit with themselves in prison for awhile to stew in what they did and lose out on part of life. When it comes time for parole hearings and they seem genuinely sorry let them go, monitor them heavily and let them fend for themselves. LIKE THE REST OF US DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theantibush]

PAROLE HER as soon as she paroles those she killed from their graves.

[PE]

Bugliosi was right in that "we are not duty-bound to follow her inhumanity." But right or wrong, it's politically impossible to release someone who relished the murder of a woman and her baby to the point of tasting their blood. Even after 40 years and terminal cancer, that's pretty tough to forgive.

Only one of those convicted probably deserves a shot at freedom and can make it through the parole board, and it's not Atkins. Van Hausen deserves a shot.

[Kate]

First, let me say that I agree that these murders were among the most brutal and horrifying. I have so much compassion for the families of these murdered people. A good friend of mine was murdered when we were just children; you never can get over it. Still, the parole board is wrong in the case of Atkins (as I'm afraid they will be with Leslie Van Houten). The one man convicted of the Manson murders, Tex Watson, was paroled years ago. This is the man who exhorted Leslie Van Houten to stab an already dead Mrs. LaBianca, and who made her change into Mrs. LaBianca's clothes before they left that death house. Of course he also "found Jesus" in prison--pretty convenient to let one's sins be absolved that way versus acknowledging responsibility and expressing major shame about their participation in these crimes, as the women have. It's time for the release of the two model prisoners and the dying Susan Atkins. Even the Nazis convicted at Nuremburg of killing far more people have served less time than these women. Shame on the parole board.

[Boston]

Her victims never had a chance to plead for mercy. Cold-blooded murderers need to die in prison.

[Rosee]

Mr. Bugliosi...you should be ASHAMED of your comment! How dare you!

How this woman could have any supporters is a mystery to me...when they support her..they support Manson!

God Bless the victims families and friends...good job!

Parole Board members...thumbs up!

Atkins received the death penalty...she got her break..she got her compassion...she gotyears that the victims didn't!

[Michael FF,Dublin,Ireland]

First she should rot in prison,then she should rot in hell

[Matt]

She is receiving mercy. She's receiving medical care for her condition. She needs to complete her sentence in prison. That is justice for her victims.

[Michael Lighty]

And this parole board showed no more compassion that did she 40 years ago. What does that say about us? We are a nation without compassion, without forgiveness.
For all of you who have judged and condemned this person - I forgive you for you know not what you do.

[QP]

FYI - Tex Watson has NOT been paroled - his next scheduled parole hearing is in 2011. He is still incarcerated where he should be.

Gee Sexy Sadie's medical expenses which you know are expensive is being funded by the California taxpayers with everybody crying about the lack of Healthcare and skyrocketing cost. Only in California!