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Manson 'Harem' Angles for Freedom

Atkins up for parole; filmmaker makes case for van Houten

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 9, 2009 9:03 AM CDT
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(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.

Atkins has been denied parole before, but may stand a better chance this time because of terminal illness. Public interest in savage murder mastermind Charles Manson remains intense; he’s reportedly received more letters than any other US inmate. “This is probably the most bizarre and notorious case of mass murder in the annals of American crime,” said the prosecutor in the case. “People have always been fascinated by evil and it does not get more evil than this."

Members of Charles Manson's family are shown outside the courtroom in the Los Angeles Hall of Justice after a hearing in 1970.
Members of Charles Manson's "family" are shown outside the courtroom in the Los Angeles Hall of Justice after a hearing in 1970.   (AP Photo/David F. Smith/FILE)
Charles Manson is led to court in Independence, Calif., in 1969.
Charles Manson is led to court in Independence, Calif., in 1969.   (AP Photo/Harold Filan, File)
Susan Atkins will plead for release at her upcoming parole hearing.
Susan Atkins will plead for release at her upcoming parole hearing.   (AP Photo/California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, File)
In this file photo Charles Manson followers, from left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, walk to court to appear for their roles in the cult killings of seven.
In this file photo Charles Manson followers, from left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, walk to court to appear for their roles in the cult killings of seven.   (AP Photo)
This 2002 file photo shows Leslie Van Houten, a Manson follower, expressing her remorse to members of the Board of Prison Terms commissioners during her parole hearing in Corona, Calif.
This 2002 file photo shows Leslie Van Houten, a Manson follower, expressing her remorse to members of the Board of Prison Terms commissioners during her parole hearing in Corona, Calif.   (AP Photo / Damian Dovarganes)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Observer
Aug 9, 2009 6:48 AM CDT
Squeky Fromme was a sexy little Minx. Too bad she is completely insane.
Robert_Dada
Aug 9, 2009 5:05 AM CDT
"If we're talking cute... like regular cute, I'd say Leslie Van Houton, but cute ain't hot." - Jerry Goldsmith, House of 1000 Corpses
Timinator2K
Aug 9, 2009 2:06 AM CDT
They all should have been executed loooong ago...'cept for squeaky, she was just an idiot dupe, the others were just EVIL.

 
crime • murder • cult • Charles Manson • Susan Atkins • Sharon Tate • Manson Family • Leslie Van Houten

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