Parole Denied

What part of “life in prison” does the Manson Family not understand?

California’s parole board has a denied a “compassionate release” request from Manson family killer Susan Atkins.

Atkins is serving a life sentence for eight murders in 1969, including that of pregnant actress Sharon Tate. Atkins admitted to holding Tate down and stabbing her more than a dozen times.

But Atkins, now 60, is dying of brain cancer. Her husband, James Whitehouse, pleaded with the parole board Tuesday for her release.

“Compassion’s not something you earn,� he says, “it’s something that every single person should have merely by means of the fact that they’re human beings.�

He says Atkins can barely function and has only about three months to live.

Debra Tate says Atkins didn’t show her sister Sharon any compassion and should die in prison.

“She should die in a hospital ward and fulfill her obligation to society,� she says.

Strongly agreed. Atkins lost her humanity when she murdered Sharon Tate and her unborn child nearly 40 years ago. By a judicial twist of fate, her original death sentence was converted to life imprisonment. In her dying days, Atkins will receive the most compassionate hospice care at taxpayer expense with visitation rights — far better treatment than what she afforded her victims.

Unlike Sharon Tate, Susan Atkins will die with dignity and mercy. When she breathes her last breath, her debt to society will be paid in full, and her remains will be solemnly released to relatives for burial. Tate’s family wasn’t even afforded such levels of closure back in 1969.

May Charles Manson and his cult partners in crime never see the outside of a prison gate for the rest of their days.

Technorati Tags: charles manson, sharon tate, susan atkins
Filed under Commentary, Headlines |