The people that went on a killing spree in the summer of 1969 for cult leader Charles Manson have been in prison for the last 37 years. Actually, they are a bit lucky – their lives were saved only when the State of California decided to outlaw the death penalty in 1972, thus commuting their sentences to life in prison.
Since her incarceration in 1971, Susan Atkins has come up for parole time and time again, only to have her request denied. Now, this woman, who was convicted of the murder of actress Sharon Tate, may be released from prison. You may be wondering why the authorities would consider letting a murderer out of prison. The news was just released that Susan Atkins is terminally ill. While her illness remains unknown, doctors have said she has less than six months to live. Therefore, state correction spokesperson Terry Thornton has said that Atkins may be issued a “compassionate release,” which would allow her to die at home with her family.
Before she can be granted this compassionate release, the corrections department must approve it, and then pass it on to the state Board of Parole for approval. Requests such as this are rarely permitted – only 10 of the 60 requests made last year were approved. Atkins married in 1987 and her husband received a law degree from Harvard in 1997. He has been representing her case every since and would serve as her caretaker if she is released.
Atkins is actually responsible for the capture of the Mason family members, who are known to have killed at least seven people (Sharon Tate, Wojciech Frykowski, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary). While in jail on auto theft charges, Atkins befriended fellow inmates Virginia Graham and Ronnie Howard and late one night, she confessed to the Tate/LaBianca murders. Graham and Howard reported that statement to the authorities and combined with other information, Atkins along with Leslie Van Houten, Tex Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Charles Manson were convicted of murder.
Let me tell you how I feel about this possible release and my opinion may not be popular, but you need to let me know how you feel. I think she should be granted the release. Don’t get me wrong – Susan Atkins is a cold hearted killer who reportedly killed Sharon Tate while she pleaded for the life of her unborn child then Atkins wrote “Pig” on the door using Tate’s blood. But, Susan Atkins entered jail as a 21-year-old high school drop out druggie who had worked as a stripper before meeting up with Manson. She is now a 60-year-old woman who in essence spent her entire life behind bars and is now dying.
Of course, there is the argument that she deserves the same mercy she showed her victims, but I think we should take the high road – isn’t that what often separates us from the criminals? I won’t even go into the fact that I think that those convicted of murder were under the influence of Charles Manson, who often provided them with drugs, told them how to live their lives, and convinced them he was God. Otherwise, how can it be explained that prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi was able to get Manson convicted of murder when there was no physical evidence that tied him to any of the victims?
We have had Susan Atkins in our prison system for 37 years – I say let her go home to die.