Friday, June 05, 2009

Deceptive Headline- It was Merely Postponed

Manson follower Susan Atkins, with six months to live, granted parole hearing

8:14 AM | June 5, 2009

Susanatkins Last year, doctors diagnosed Susan Atkins with terminal cancer, prompting a failed bid by the convicted murderer and Charles Manson follower to receive a "compassionate release" from state prison.

But Atkins, who gained infamy for her role in the 1969 slayings of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and others in a bloody two-night rampage in Los Angeles, may get one last chance to convince state parole officials she should no longer be kept behind bars.

Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Thursday they have scheduled a Sept. 2 parole hearing for Atkins in Los Angeles.

Atkins has served 38 years in prison, longer than any other female prisoner, officials said. Before last year's attempt, she was most recently considered for, and denied, parole in 2000.

In early 2008 Atkins was diagnosed with brain cancer. With one leg amputated and the other paralyzed, Atkins has only six months to live, doctors say. Atkins petitioned for so-called compassionate release, igniting a debate about when mercy is appropriate.

Those backing her release argued unsuccessfully that the cost of keeping Atkins in prison, which by now could be well over a million dollars, should have favored her release because it would save the state substantial amounts of money.

Others, including former Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, said it was a question of mercy and told The Times it was wrong to say "just because Susan Atkins showed no mercy to her victims, we therefore are duty-bound to follow her inhumanity and show no mercy to her."

But most were unwavering in their contention she should die in prison considering her crimes.

Tate, the wife of film director Roman Polanski, was 8 1/2 months pregnant when she and four others were killed at her hilltop home in Benedict Canyon. The actress, who was stabbed to death, had begged Atkins for her life.

"She asked me to let her baby live," Atkins told parole officials in 1993. "I told her I didn't have mercy for her."

Atkins was housed at the California Institution for Women in Corona from April 1971 until March 2008, when she was transferred to a local hospital for treatment.

-- Andrew Blankstein

13 comments:

A.C. Fisher Aldag said...

This will be an interesting hearing, since Susan puportedly isn't currently able to speak more than a sentence at a time.

jadedjamie said...

Savage Sadie was suppose to be at deaths door a year ago. Well, the monster still lives. She does not deserve one minute of freedom. It is very disgusting & such a waste of taxpayers money to have to hold any more parole hearings for her.
Just die already, Sadie!

starship said...

It's a waste of taxpayers money to keep a one legged bedridden terminal cancer patient incarcerated too.

Anonymous said...

She'll do you for that!

starship said...

Blipcrotch! What do you mean by that?

Today is Friday. Think the Col has a new post coming?

Anonymous said...

Pristash... that's from the "Black Knight" scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail... remember, King Arthur hacks off the Black Knight's leg and he is hopping around, menacing King Arthur: "I'll do you for that!".

starship said...

Thanks Blip. Tis just a scratch!

Marliese said...

Taxpayer money has been providing for Sadie for the last forty years, and it will be taxpayer money that provides for her care whether she's incarcerated or not...

jadedjamie said...

Hello everyone. Marliese you are so right. If the taxpayers would no longer have to pay for her treatment, I might say let her out. However, one way or the other, we will be footing that bill. O/T ~ Does anyone know what happened to Sandra Good? Does she still speak with CM? Thanks

jadedjamie said...

Hello everyone. Marliese you are so right. If the taxpayers would no longer have to pay for her treatment, I might say let her out. However, one way or the other, we will be footing that bill. O/T ~ Does anyone know what happened to Sandra Good? Does she still speak with CM? Thanks

Anonymous said...

Bugliosi made her a star, maybe he should use some of that helter skelter cash to reimburse the state of kalleyforny for her medical bills.

starship said...

Hey, folks, now please just read up on the facts. Part of the reasons for even asking for a compassionate release was that SA's family has the resources to take care of her, which included the medical bills.

A.C. Fisher Aldag said...

The ministry racket apparently makes a decent income. Remember that, next time you drop a quarter in the collection plate.