Dying Manson Killer Pleads Today for 'Sympathy' Parole

She was wearing it the night she was murdered, auctioneers claim

(NEWSER) - An engagement ring that an auction house says was worn by Sharon Tate the night she was murdered by Charles Manson's crazed followers is up for sale next week, reports the New York Daily News . Director Roman Polanski gave the Valley of the Dolls star the 4-karat opal stone in 1967, a year before they wed, and two years before members of the Manson Family cult stabbed her to death when she was eight months pregnant with Polanski's child. More»

Tex Watson trying for parole a 14th time

(NEWSER) - Relatives of some of the Manson Family's victims will gather at a California prison today to explain why they think Charles Manson's former right-hand man should not be freed. Seeking parole is Tex Watson—who has been in prison for 42 years for his role in seven horrific murders in 1969 by the Manson cult, including the death of pregnant actress Sharon Tate. Watson, 65—who married and divorced while in prison and fathered four children during conjugal visits—has been denied parole 13 times, notes AP . More»

Slasher Leslie Van Houten blows 19th try

(NEWSER) - Charles Manson disciple Leslie Van Houten lost another bid for freedom yesterday after decades behind bars for her role in the notorious 1969 Manson "family" cult killings. Van Houten, 60, didn't take part in the murders of Roman Polanski's pregnant wife, Sharon Tate, and 4 others in the film director's home the first night of the killing spree that year. But the next night, she held down neighbor Rosemary LaBianca and fatally stabbed her some two dozen times in the back. More»

(NEWSER) - Susan Atkins, one of the women who killed at the behest of Charles Manson, died last night after a battle with brain cancer that had paralyzed her and cost her one leg. She was 61. She died inside the California Institute for Women, where she had been in hospice care. Atkins, who served 38 years of a life sentence for eight murders, including that of actress Sharon Tate, was said to be a model prisoner, but authorities repeatedly denied her parole, and last year’s request for compassionate release. 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»