MSNBC.com

Manson follower Atkins may go free

Terminally ill killer could get ‘compassionate release’ to die outside prison

http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080613/080613-susan-atkins-hmed-11a.hmedium.jpg
Susan Atkins, left, sits in a Santa Monica, Calif., courtroom Oct. 13, 1970, as Charles Manson walks in before pleas were entered for them for the 1969 killings of actress Sharon Tate and others.

The Associated Press
updated 10:50 a.m. PT, Fri., June. 13, 2008

CORONA, Calif. - Former Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins, convicted in the 1969 murder of actress Sharon Tate, could soon be released from prison because she is near death, authorities said.

Atkins, 59, is terminally ill and being considered for so-called "compassionate release," state corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton said. She gave no details of Atkins' illness but said a doctor had determined she had less than six months to live.

The corrections department was reviewing the request, which if approved would then be passed to the state Board of Parole, which has the power to release prisoners under state law so they can die with loved ones, at their expense.

Such releases are relatively rare — only 10 of the 60 requests made last year were granted, Thornton said. The prisoners must have family members willing and able to care for them.

Atkins, now a gray-haired, matronly-looking woman, was one of cult leader Manson's ersatz hippie "family" of young killers who burst into a Beverly Hills home 39 years ago and killed Tate, the pregnant wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski, along with four others. The following night they stabbed to death a wealthy couple in their Los Angeles home.


Atkins has been denied parole 11 times, most recently in 2005.

She was housed in the California Institution for Women in Corona for 37 years but has been in a nearby hospital since March.


Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Compassionate release? Susan Atkins wasn't compassionate when Sharon Tates begged for the life of her unborn baby!:(

Life in prison means LIFE IN PRISON AND DIE IN PRISON.

You commit murder, don't expect leniency.

Hey Susan, its called KARMA!!!!!!

Susan Atkins Then and Now

Good lord, I hope this doesn't happen. This is one woman that, I'm sorry to say, deserves to die in prison.

I've read a lot about the Manson family and the murders, and this is one person that should never, ever be allowed to see freedom ever again.

Did she actually kill Sharon Tate? Stories on that account differ. She did however say that she wished she could have cut the baby out and drove it through a spike to take home to Charlie.

And everyone agrees on one point: she was there. She helped tie Sharon up and watched while Tex Watson and the other girls brutally murdered Abigail Folger, Voytek Frojkowski (sp?), Jay Sebring, Steve Parent & Sharon Tate. She let it happen, and didn't do a thing about it.

I'm normally against the death penalty, but this girl was sentanced to death. She's lucky she's lived this long. Let her die a free woman? :mad: Ask the relatives of the LaBiancas and Tates if they think that should happen!

Life in prison means LIFE IN PRISON AND DIE IN PRISON.

You commit murder, don't expect leniency.

Hey Susan, its called KARMA!!!!!!

She was actually sentanced to death. However California abolished the death penalty right in time for her. It's so cruel that Sharon's relatives and the relatives of all the other victims kept having to go back to the parole hearings to prevent her getting out. :( Sharon's mom & sisters never, ever got over it. They made it their lives work to keep all of these killers in jail.

She was actually sentanced to death. However California abolished the death penalty right in time for her. It's so cruel that Sharon's relatives and the relatives of all the other victims kept having to go back to the parole hearings to prevent her getting out. :( Sharon's mom & sisters never, ever got over it. They made it their lives work to keep all of these killers in jail.
Yes, I did know she was sentenced to death. As were many other people during that time. Being from So. Calif. we know this case all too well. Of course, we now have the death penalty and it is a shame we can't reverse the decision.

So, like I said, LIFE IN PRISON SHOULD MEAN DIE IN PRISON. When you are sentenced, the judge doesn't say, "In the event you should have a terminal illness, you can get early release."

Yes, I did know she was sentenced to death. As were many other people during that time. Being from So. Calif. we know this case all too well. Of course, we now have the death penalty and it is a shame we can't reverse the decision.

So, like I said, LIFE IN PRISON SHOULD MEAN DIE IN PRISON. When you are sentenced, the judge doesn't say, "In the event you should have a terminal illness, you can get early release."

Sorry Irene, I guess I forgot who I was talking to ;)

And I totally agree with you. Life means Life. It don't mean you get out if you get sick.

Sorry Irene, I guess I forgot who I was talking to ;)

And I totally agree with you. Life means Life. It don't mean you get out if you get sick.
The only good thing abt her being sick is that we won't have to read abt her going up for a parole hearing anymore. I wish Manson would hurry up and get sick. :mad:

I don't think she'll be released. She's being considered, as they all are when it comes time for parole or whatever. The article states that these types of releases are rare, which really makes me think that they're not about to make an exception to that scum. A person doesn't have to be from California to have extra knowledge of this case. I've been following it since I was a teen. I was actually borderline obsessed with this case for many years.

Yes, it is true it is rare, but it is because the prisoner must have family/friends willing to take care of them upon their release. If you apply for the compassion release but don't have anyone on the outside who is willing to take care of you, you will be denied. Atkins has family/friends who are more than willing to care for her if she is released, so her chances are better than others.

Yes, it is true it is rare, but it is because the prisoner must have family/friends willing to take care of them upon their release. If you apply for the compassion release but don't have anyone on the outside who is willing to take care of you, you will be denied. Atkins has family/friends who are more than willing to care for her if she is released, so her chances are better than others.
I realize that, but only 10 out of 60 requests were granted last year. Given that fact, I doubt she'll be one of the ones to walk. Who knows though, maybe some of the bleeding hearts who fought for Tookie Williams will fight for her.

I realize that, but only 10 out of 60 requests were granted last year. Given that fact, I doubt she'll be one of the ones to walk. Who knows though, maybe some of the bleeding hearts who fought for Tookie Williams will fight for her.


I hope you're right. It's possible in a murder case there could be mitigating factors but I don't see any HERE. Atkins is still alive 34+ more than the woman and child she brutally murdered.

I just wonder how much those bleeding hearts would bleed were the blood brutally shed from ONE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

damn, that's ********.

The Atkins case also shows that life imprisonment, as in a TRUE life imprisonment w no parole, can be an even WORSE punishment than death. It's no picnic.

Not that I'm against capital punishment per se, I think in 5-10% of the crimes meriting it it's approp. as long as there is ironclad forensic/DNA evidence. If ever there was anyone deserving capital punishment it was Atkins. Dying or not, Atkins should rot in jail.

My major concern with cap. punishment is that many have been falsely convicted in capital cases and later exhonerated. Many indigent who had bad legal representation. Had they been executed, nothing could have been done.

I just wonder how much those bleeding hearts would bleed were the blood brutally shed from ONE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.
How very true!

If she is serving life in prison, I think she should stay there. However, I am
sorry she is dying and hope she does not suffer long.

If she is serving life in prison, I think she should stay there. However, I am
sorry she is dying and hope she does not suffer long.

You're a better person than I am, because given the HEINOUS nature of the Manson crimes (even hardened criminals were shocked by them!) I have absolutely no sympathy or empathy for Atkins; all of mine got used up for Sharon Tate, the other victims and their families.

You're a better person than I am, because given the HEINESS nature of the Manson crimes (even hardened criminals were shocked by them!) I have absolutely no sympathy or empathy for Atkins; all of mine got used up for Sharon Tate, the other victims and their families.
Actually, the word you mean is HEINOUS (not trying to be a correcting schoolmarm nut here, I first thought the word was like "highness"!! :eek: ), but yeah. I can't feel too much compassion for her. I had the grave misfortune a while back of Googling some pictures of the crime scene, and was completely disturbing. I wondered why I saw it. It was way too much.
She and one of her buddies claimed to have become "born again" in prison, but that doesn't mean anything. They might be trying to earn brownie points.
I know it's not right to judge, but GOD, look at her--Sharon Tate, so beautiful, and had a baby on the way. A loving person, and these dirtbags were cruel, they took pleasure in killing her and her baby. "Look, bitch, I don't care about you or your baby." The Manson Family were slime. Let'em rot in prison with her terminal illness. :mad:


In their case, claiming to be "born again" is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

I had the grave misfortune a while back of Googling some pictures of the crime scene, and was completely disturbing. I wondered why I saw it. It was way too much.
She and one of her buddies claimed to have become "born again" in prison, but that doesn't mean anything. They might be trying to earn brownie points.
I know it's not right to judge, but GOD, look at her--Sharon Tate, so beautiful, and had a baby on the way. A loving person, and these dirtbags were cruel, they took pleasure in killing her and her baby. "Look, bitch, I don't care about you or your baby." The Manson Family were slime. Let'em rot in prison with her terminal illness. :mad:


In their case, claiming to be "born again" is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

I made the same mistake. I googled Sharon Tate and saw some pictures that I never wanted to see. It kind of changes you, don't you think? To read about the crime is one thing, to see what actually happened, that people could actually do that to other living, breathing, innocent people is just beyond words.

I think Tex Watson is the other one you're thinking of who became a "born again" Christian. He became a minister. And, by most accounts, he's the one that did most of the killings. I saw an interview with him and I do actually believe he's sincerely sorry. I do think he truly is. I don't think he should ever be let out -- but I think he does regret what he did.

Susan Atkins on the other hand has never fessed up to her part in the killings, and I think her "born again" thing really is a bid to get her out. I never believed a word she said.

A person doesn't have to be from California to have extra knowledge of this case. I've been following it since I was a teen. I was actually borderline obsessed with this case for many years.

Hey, me too. I started reading about it back in Michigan when I was in highschool. I read Helter Skelter here in PA. It's an interesting (and infuriating) case.

Actually, the word you mean is HEINOUS (not trying to be a correcting schoolmarm nut here, I first thought the word was like "highness"!! :eek: ), but yeah.


I'm actually a good speller but you'd NEVER KNOW IT from these bds. I really mangled that one! Didn't have a dictionary handy and Word spell check wasn't any help. Went back & corrected it. I hate misspelling words (even though I sometimes do it)

Ailing Manson follower denied release from prison

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/CRIME/07/15/release.denied/art.atkinsmug.jpg
Susan Atkins, Califorina's longest-serving female inmate, is shown in her most recent mug shot.

Susan Atkins, a terminally ill former Charles Manson follower convicted in the murder of actress Sharon Tate, on Tuesday was denied a compassionate release from prison.

Atkins, 60, has been diagnosed with brain cancer and has had a leg amputated, her attorney said. In June, she requested the release, available to terminally ill inmates with less than six months to live.

The California Board of Parole Hearings' decision -- posted Tuesday on its Web site -- came after a public hearing on Atkins' request. It means the request will not be forwarded to the Los Angeles Superior Court that sentenced Atkins.

The court would have had the final say on Atkins' release.

Her attorney, Eric P. Lampel, called the parole board's decision "unfortunate."

"[The board] ignored the vast majority of evidence presented," Lampel said. "There was a huge amount of pro-compassionate release testimony from many witnesses. It apparently fell on deaf ears."

Known within the Family as Sadie Mae Glutz, Atkinsand four others were convicted in connection with the deaths of five people, including Tate, in August 1969.

According to historical accounts of the murder, Atkins stabbed Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and scrawled the word "pig" in blood on the door of the home the actress shared with director Roman Polanski.

By her own admission, Atkins held Tate down and rejected her pleas for mercy, stabbing the pregnant woman 16 times.

Atkins' request roused long-dormant memories of the two-day killing spree that terrorized Los Angeles and left seven people dead. It polarized those who were involved in the case -- and even those who weren't -- over whether she should die behind bars.

Atkins told a 1993 parole board that Tate pleaded for her unborn child's life as she held her down.

"She asked me to let her baby live," Atkins said. "... I told her I didn't have any mercy on her."

Three of Tate's houseguests were also slain by the killers, as was a teenager visiting the home's caretaker in his cottage out back. Atkins was also convicted in the earlier murder of music teacher Gary Hinman.

One of the first people Atkins confessed to was Virginia Graham, who shared a cell with her before investigators determined the Manson Family was responsible for the murders. Graham said last month she believed Atkins should die in prison.

"She showed that poor woman absolutely no mercy, none," Graham said. "So why should anybody show her mercy at this time?"

Sharon Tate's sister, Debra, has staunchly opposed Atkins' release. "She will be set free when judged by God," Debra Tate has said. "It's important that she die in incarceration."

Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley said Monday he was strongly opposed to the release, saying in a letter to the board it would be "an affront to people of this state, the California criminal justice system and the next of kin of many murder victims."

Cooley noted in his letter that Atkins was initially sentenced to death, like others in the Manson Family, including its leader, Charles Manson. Their sentences were commuted to life in prison in 1972, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the death penalty laws as they were written at the time.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday he was also opposed to releasing Atkins. "I don't believe in [compassionate release]," the governor told reporters. "I think that they have to stay in, they have to serve their time."

Even if Atkins is dying, Schwarzenegger said, "Those kinds of crimes are just so unbelievable that I'm not for the compassionate release."

Earlier, Suzan Hubbard, director of adult prisons in California, also recommended against granting Atkins' request.

Vincent Bugliosi, who prosecuted Atkins and other members of the Manson Family, said he supported her release, if only to save the state money.

Through Monday, the cost for Atkins' medical care since she was hospitalized March 18 totaled more than $1.15 million, and the costs for guarding her hospital room are more than $308,000, said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Terry Thornton.

Terminally ill inmates rarely are allowed compassionate release, records show. In 2007, 60 such requests were made to the department, Thornton has said. Ten were approved.

Atkins, who has been incarcerated since 1971, is California's longest-serving female inmate. According to a Web site maintained by her husband and attorney, James Whitehouse, she is now a born-again Christian.

During her incarceration, the site says, Atkins worked to help at-risk youth, violent crime victims and homeless children, among others. The Web site does not mention Atkins' illness.

Lampel said last month Atkins is paralyzed on one side.

"She can talk a little bit," Lampel said. "She can't sit up in bed without assistance, and obviously she can't walk around because she's an amputee."

Atkins has expressed remorse for her crimes. "I know the pain I caused Mrs. Tate," she said at a parole board hearing in 1985.

ln May, authorities dug for buried bodies at the Inyo County, California, ranch where Manson and his followers once lived, after police became aware that testing had indicated human remains might be buried there. Nothing was found, authorities said.

:jig:

I heard this earlier on the news. WHAT GREAT NEWS. I was not surprised.

Great news. She showed no mercy so why should she get any?

Great news. She showed no mercy so why should she get any?

Precisely!

I'm still trying to figure out, what did she have against Sharon Tate that she told her she had no mercy for her when she held her down and killed her? I know that the murders were perpetrated in order to incite a race war and make it look like black radicals had done it, but why did it seem like more than "just a job to do" for her, why the cruelty? Did she know what she was doing? Was she brainwashed by Manson? Was she fully aware of her actions, did she freely choose to do them? Was this a thrill kill for her? What was it to her??

Let her rot. It's strange that Vincent Bugliosi, her prosecutor, thought her release would be a good thing, if only to save the state money. I imagine she wouldn't do much harm. But still, she got what she deserved.

I'm still trying to figure out, what did she have against Sharon Tate that she told her she had no mercy for her when she held her down and killed her? I know that the murders were perpetrated in order to incite a race war and make it look like black radicals had done it, but why did it seem like more than "just a job to do" for her, why the cruelty? Did she know what she was doing? Was she brainwashed by Manson? Was she fully aware of her actions, did she freely choose to do them? Was this a thrill kill for her? What was it to her??

Let her rot. It's strange that Vincent Bugliosi, her prosecutor, thought her release would be a good thing, if only to save the state money. I imagine she wouldn't do much harm. But still, she got what she deserved.

Many interesting points you bring out esp. about VB - given the horrific nature of what she did - dying or not - she deserves to stay right where she is.

Quted from Janice's post above:

Through Monday, the cost for Atkins' medical care since she was hospitalized March 18 totaled more than $1.15 million, and the costs for guarding her hospital room are more than $308,000, said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Terry Thornton.

That's great; sadistic killers get free medical care while millions of children and hardworking people can't afford health care or medical insurance! :mad:

Quted from Janice's post above:

Through Monday, the cost for Atkins' medical care since she was hospitalized March 18 totaled more than $1.15 million, and the costs for guarding her hospital room are more than $308,000, said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Terry Thornton.

That's great; sadistic killers get free medical care while millions of children and hardworking people can't afford health care or medical insurance! :mad:
Not only that, the b*tch married TWICE while in prison and had CONJUGAL VISITS. :rolleyes: If she was really remorseful, she would have lived in solitary confinement, not receive services that cost us taxpayers money and live her life without the privileges given to prisoners such as medical care, dental care, education, no visitors, no use of a library, computers, etc. LIVE IN THAT DAMN CELL TIL SHE DIES. ;)