More Manson Victims?

Atkins up for parole; filmmaker makes case for van Houten

(NEWSER) - With Squeaky Fromme, who aimed a gun at President Ford, set for parole next Sunday, other members of the murderous “Manson Family” are pushing for release, the Telegraph reports. Susan Atkins, who at first said she’d stabbed actress Sharon Tate 16 times, plans to plead for freedom at her parole hearing Sept. 2. Meanwhile, a filmmaker has written a series of Huffington Post pieces in support of Leslie Van Houten’s release. More»

Investigators pore over cult's Death Valley ranch

(NEWSER) - Investigators with high-tech equipment and shovels will be spending the next few days combing the Manson Family's desert hide-out for bodies, the Los Angeles Times reports. Rumors that murder victims are buried at the isolated ranch have persisted for decades. Police called in scientists after corpse-sniffing dogs became agitated at ranch locations. Many locals are skeptical about the hunt, and suspect investigators will only find an old Indian burial ground. More»

(NEWSER) - Charles Mason has reached out to former music producer Phil Spector, sending the actress-killer fan mail in the California prison they now share, reports the New York Post. Manson, a mediocre musician before he turned cult leader, sent Spector a note via a guard that he wanted to meet and thought he was the greatest producer who ever lived, said Spector's wife, Rachelle. "It was creepy," she told the Post. "Phil didn't respond." More»

Terminally ill Atkins is seeking release

(NEWSER) - The Los Angeles County district attorney has asked the California parole board to deny Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins' request for compassionate release from prison. Atkins, who was convicted of seven 1969 murders, is terminally ill with brain cancer. The DA noted that Atkins stabbed pregnant actress Sharon Tate, tasted her blood, and used it to write the word "Pig" on the victim's door during a murderous Manson Family rampage. More»

Parole board refuses Susan Atkins' request for mercy

(NEWSER) - California yesterday rejected Susan Atkins' plea for compassionate release, the Los Angeles Times reports. The former Charles Manson family member—California's longest-serving female inmate—has brain cancer and likely has just months to live. Atkins was busted in 1969 for participating in the murder of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others. More»