Manson follower Susan Atkins denied parole

For the second time in as many years, a state parole board voted Wednesday to deny one of Charles Manson’s fiercest followers her request for a “compassionate release” from prison so she can die at home.

Convicted murderer Susan Atkins, 61, is terminally ill with cancer and 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 Atkins 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.

The result was the same 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.

Atkins is serving a life sentence for the slaying of 26-year-old Tate, who was 8 1/2 months pregnant, and musician Gary Hinman. She has served 38 years in prison, longer than any other female in California.

The victims’ relatives and supporters opposed Atkins’ release, saying she showed no mercy Aug. 9, 1969, when she and other young followers of Manson entered a hilltop Benedict Canyon mansion 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 mansion.

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."

-- Richard Winton and Hector Becerra

Photo:  Susan Atkins lies on a gurney at her parole hearing today.   Credit: Ben Margot / Pool photo

Comments

[Jessica]

I think she should be let out. I'm sure she is done killing. especially with out the over powering influence of charles manson. My opinion? let her out or kill her. stop making us waste our tax dollars on Stupid things like this.

[Nora]

The mere fact that parole hearings were available to these
maggots, insults people's intelligence. Talk about a waste of taxpayer's money. They are sick, twisted, freaks that killed at random and should have been put to death at their
families expense. If you take a life, you forfeit your privilege to live in a civilized society. People moan about the death penalty....but it assures society That particular
freaks will not kill again. It would also provide more room
for prisoners as the prisons are overcrowded and they parole
felons willy-nilly usually pedophiles who re-offend many times. It has become a violent, scary world and the justice system is a joke.
One other thing.......what is wrong with revenge?????

[Ben]

How can a person like her dare to ask for an early release. Just hoping it won't be an easy death for her.

[Mike]

I find it ironic that most people in the U.S. believe in the Christian God, and many like to think of the U.S. as a "Christian Nation." Yet so few people want to practice what Jesus said: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Or think about how many people believe God is ultimately in control of what happens here on Earth. Many people also believe God granted free will. Yet few people have any problem with administering the death penalty. Isn't that the ultimate expression of _humans_ judging and controlling the destiny of other _humans_? I thought that was God's role. If someone should die, doesn't God have the capacity to carry out that judgment?

All this makes it clear that it's really good old fashioned _vengeance_, the kind responsible for all long-term wars in the world, is behind the comments on this blog.

[CHUCKIE READY]

HI I JUST READ ABOUT THE STORY ABOUT SUSAN ATKINS STORY AND I THINK SHE SHOULD BE SENT HOME TO DIE AT HOME SHE LOOKS PRETTYBAD SHAP.I KNOW WHAT SHE DID WAS WORNG BUT SHE IS VERY SICK GIRL?

[liz shibata]

I had the chance to see Ms adkins in CIW, back in 2001
she showed no remorse for her crime. she tended to the garden in wilson A she almost got her ass kicked for
disrespecting people. Im glad she will die in
prison..alone..bitter.

[Melissa]

This is the best case of KARMA>>>>>what goes around comes around!

when she dies, old, cold & lonely JUSTICE will finally be served for the families of the victims this hag brutally murdered. They shud let her die without pain meds....keeping her under is too good for her

[faith]

I REALY FEEL THAT SUSAN SHOULD DIE WHERE SHE'S AT. BECAUSE SHE NOT ONLY KILLED SHARON BUT A CHILD WHO DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO BE BORN, SHE KILLED A UNBORN BABY IS A GIFT FROM GOD AND SHE TOOK IT'S LIFE. SHE SAID SHE HAD NO MERCY. WELL WHY WOULD ANYONE GIVE HER ANY MERCY. BE HONEST I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THEY ALL NOT LIVING NO MORE. AS FAR IT IS FOR HER BEING CHARLIES PUPPET HE CAN ROT IN JAIL, SO SHE CAN ALSO; AND "THE FAMILY" CAN ALSO ROT IN HELL! WHAT THEY DID WAS JUST EVIL, THE STATE SHOULD BURN THEM ALL AFTER THEY ALL DIE. WHY I SAY THIS IS BECAUSE PEOPLE WOULD WANT SET UP A SHRINE. DON'T LET THEM. DUMP THEIR ASHES IN A DUMP AND DUMP TRASH ON TOP OF THEM......WE PAYING TAXES SO THEY CAN LIVE. IF THEY WOULD HAVE GIVE THEM WHAT THEY SHOULD GOT IN THE FIRST PLACE WE HAVE GOT RID OF A REMINDER OF EVIL.

[Nyad]

to everyone who is happy that she is has been denied, hell awaits... She deserves everything good this world has to offer

[randy faria]

liz shibata

You met her as I assume a fellow inmate? Why do you say she showed no remorse. Was she asked about it? I find it interesting as her confiding the truth to another inmate is what brought them down originally. I'm curious if you'd like to elaborate. The issue of the girls is fascinating as they have done over 40 years for their crimes..even Nazi war criminals did less. Its an intersting question as to how much punishment is enough. Given their ages when they were convicted, Lelie could easily live another 10-20 years, for 50-60 years in jail (wow)

[Nicole Venning]

I feel no sympathy for this woman, only contempt and feel what she did all those years ago has come back to haunt her, to kill a woman and her unborn child, there should be no forgiveness, I'm not God (only He can judge) but I think what she did to those people was so awful and all I think about was Mrs. Tate's last moments on this earth and what she had to suffer at the hands of this woman....This wretched woman....I don't think she should be paroled, Mrs. Tate and the others weren't and will never come back only live in the hearts of their loved ones, they weren't shown compassion, so why should compassion be shown to this woman....I saw her website and all her pictures, how is it that this woman was able to keep up with the times and look like she did in prison, they should never have given this woman so much for her to enjoy....Now its time to meet your maker, I not convinced she's a born again christian, she just wants forgiveness from the Lord but I can't say what He will do but if there is any justice in this world, I want her to live which I'm sure she has with what she did for the rest of her days....

[BM]

She can rot!

[Lisa]

My prayers are with her in our last days on earth. I pray that she, along with Manson, will find peace and will come to know the real Jesus Christ who offers mercy and forgiveness.

[Allan Hill]

Unfortunately there is no answer to the question about whether to release her or not. I believe she is suffering and releasing her is not a menace to society. There are those that think otherwise and that is very understandable.

[LESA]

I believe that she should rot in prison and when she die's they need to burn her body and destroy the ashes. She took to many live's back then even the life of an unborn child that never had a chance in this cruel world we live in today.

[Bink]

The sheer ingratitude shown by Susan and her family astounded me. They were given 40 more years with her, 40 more years of life than any of her victims enjoyed. Susan had a peaceful death, surrounded by caregivers and loved ones. Her victims suffered hideous, painful deaths, while their friends and loved ones were slaughtered before their eyes. For Susan and family to gripe that they didn't get quite *enough* is unbelievable.

[abf]

That's what I call justice.

[b]

Understandable that she wasnt given parole for the last time. Karma is karma. However, i find it ridiculous of the hilarity over celebrities. Things change, people change. Susan should have at least spent a few days outside prison walls to see her family. RIP Susan, let your soul guide you.