Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


12

Dying Ex-Manson Disciple Atkins Denied Release

Parole board refuses Susan Atkins' request for mercy

Share

(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.

Tate "asked me to let her baby live,” Atkins said in a 1993 parole hearing where she admitted stabbing the actress 16 times. “I told her I didn’t have mercy for her."

Susan Atkins talks to reporters in 1969.
Susan Atkins talks to reporters in 1969.   (AP Photo)
Susan Atkins has lost a bid for freedom in what's likely to be here final parole hearing.
Susan Atkins has lost a bid for freedom in what's likely to be here final parole hearing.   (AP Photo/California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
Convicted murderer and former Charles Manson family member, Susan Atkins, watches from bed during her parole hearing at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, Calif., yesterday.
Convicted murderer and former Charles Manson family member, Susan Atkins, watches from bed during her parole hearing at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, Calif., yesterday.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot )
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
12 comments
VIEWING:
 
DarkFrancis
Sep 3, 09 2:21 AM CDT
I acknowledge that Ms Atkins is very ill, probably sincerely remorseful and likely poses no threat to society. But that crime was wanton, gruesome and totally horrifying. She deserves to die in jail. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+20
IN RESPONSE:
vissequ
Sep 3, 09 2:28 AM CDT
I agree completely.
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
riffran
Sep 3, 09 6:07 AM CDT
excellent point DF
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
tameesha_sharpton
Sep 3, 09 6:25 AM CDT
she deserved to die in 1969. society picks up a million dollar tab for her 40 years in prison. execution should be the only sentence for anyone guilty of murder.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Sep 3, 09 7:50 AM CDT
It costs twice as much to execute people than to keep them locked up for 40 years due to all the legal appeals required.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4

View all 12 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

12 Stories

Obituary

 Manson Girl Susan Atkins Dies 


Sep 25, 09 6:30 AM CDT
(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.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
obituary • Charles Manson • Susan Atkins • brain cancer

 Dying Manson 
 Killer Pleads 
 Today for 
 'Sympathy' 
 Parole 

Susan Atkins suffers from brain cancer 40 years after slashing Sharon Tate

Sep 2, 09 4:58 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Charles Manson cult member who held down pregnant actress Sharon Tate and stabbed her 16 times will plead for sympathy today at her 13th parole hearing, reports CNN. Susan Atkins, 61, is suffering from brain cancer and is 85% paralyzed, according to her husband. The hearing may be held... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Charles Manson • Susan Atkins • Sharon Tate • Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme • Debra Tate

 Manson 'Harem' 
 Angles for Freedom 

Atkins up for parole; filmmaker makes case for van Houten

Aug 9, 09 9:03 AM CDT
(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... More »

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

12 Stories


Crime & Courts 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
parole • Charles Manson • Susan Atkins • Sharon Tate • Manson Family • compassionate release

from our news partners