Susan Atkins to stay in prison
AP reports that the state parole board today ruled against letting the terminally ill former Manson family member out of prison during the final months of her life, as the editorial board urged last month. The board struck a careful balance between its official opposition to the death penalty and its belief that Atkins should stay incarcerated:
Our system of justice attempts three noble aims: punishment, protection of society and deterrence (some would add rehabilitation). Atkins poses no physical threat to society. Her sentence and time in prison undoubtedly have sent a deterrent message to any would-be Mansonite still lurking out there. And she may well have been rehabilitated: While serving her sentence, Atkins has written a book, explored religions, taught classes. Has she been punished? Yes, of course; 37 years is not trivial. But Atkins gravely wounded our collective peace, and society has the right, even the obligation, to exact vengeance. For some criminals, including Atkins, the crime is so great that the price should be imprisonment until death.
The editorial also noted that the board once broke its anti-execution stance by urging the death penalty be imposed on Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. For more on the editorial board's death penalty stance, check out this Cold Copy, which takes up everyone from Ethel and Julius Rosenberg to Stanley "Tookie" Williams.
*Photo of Susan Atkins in 1969, courtesy Associated Press.
Mercy???? Give me a break. What mercy did she show those poor victims. Forget the fear that I felt as a young person living in So. Calif. at the time. Not knowing who would be next while they were on their killing spree. She should not be shown any compassion. Let's all hope she lives and "suffers" great pain as long as possible
Posted by: Sharon | July 16, 2008 at 09:41 AM
The State should have released Atkins.The State had a chance to stand tall in the karmic universe but instead chose to cowardly remain as cold-blooded as Manson was in the 1960s. Very sad for the soul of us all. "It serves no purpose" has never been a more relevant statement.
Posted by: markiejoe | July 16, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Let Susan Atkins out to live her final days with her family???!!! What about pregnant Sharon Tate? She was killed like a savage animal. She was never able to hold her baby boy. May God forgive Susan Atkins but she should die in jail.
Posted by: Vincenzo Begali Andropolini | July 16, 2008 at 08:36 AM
One of my loved ones was murdered and his murderer was given a life sentence without parole.
I have every expectation that the individual who murdered my loved one will serve out his sentence and, consequently, die in prison.
I believe that Sharon Tate's families and all the families affected by Susan Atkins horrendous crime should also have that same expectation. While in her case, she has the right to ask for parole, it is perfectly reasonable to have that request denied.
It's good that Susan Atkins tried to do some good with her life while she was imprisoned. Hopefully, whatever she has done in prison over the years has helped her balance and redeem her spirit.
It's not about vengeance.
it's about justice for the victims whose voices were silenced.
Susan Tate deserves to live out her sentence and to die in prison. .
Posted by: Diane | July 16, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Good Morning from Boston,
Years ago, I worked with someone who was renting a small house not far from 10050 Cielo Drive back in 1969. He and his wife heard the gunshots and the horrific screams; he described that night in sickening detail to me.
I've never forgotten that conversation and never will as long as I live. 'Compassionate release' for this murderous piece of trash? I don't think so. Kudos to the parole board for keeping this sub-human in custody. As other posters have said, she didn't show and 'compassion' for her victims, did she?
Rot in Hell, Susan!
Posted by: Sue | July 16, 2008 at 08:16 AM
GALE ALLEN, how dare you address such a comment to Debra Tate, you callous thing. The families cannot be blamed or criticized for the grief they feel for the sensless slaughter of their loved ones, nor for wanting justice for the murderers. It is ironic that Atkins now wants "mercy." What did it say to Sharon Tate, "Look, Bitch, I have no mercy for you." Karma is a bite ain't it. If you are so foolish as to support the Monster Atkins, slapping the faces of the mourning survivors of it's crimes, then I have a better suggestion than it's release. YOU join Atkins in prison. You can hold the sweet things hand as it dies. But be careful, it might drag you along with it to hell. That might be your karma for your outlandish comment to Ms. Tate.
Posted by: Tom | July 16, 2008 at 05:54 AM
Susan Atkins should be released from prison. - Stanly Milgram proved from expeiments that we all can train our minds to kill innocent people with electrocution.
This was a question stemming from the holocaust, and how could the german people allow themselves to think, and kill the jews.
The german people were brainwashed aginst the jews just like Susan Atkins was brainwashed by Charlie Manson. Most of the manson ladies were 17 and 18 at the time of the murders, and should not be held responsible for what they did while under the mind control from Charlie Manson. - Yes free Susan Akins, she was not under her own control of her thoughts and actions when she committted the murders.
Posted by: pierate | July 16, 2008 at 04:54 AM
I have no simpathy for Susan Atkins. She showed no mercy or compassion for those whose life she took, now she is going to know how that feels. I hope she lives longer than 6 months, and I hope the words that to through her head are the sames ones that Sharon Tate heard from her when she was begging for her life and that of her unborn baby. "I don't care about you bitch" as she was stabbing her. As far as I am concern, she is getting what she has coming to her. Rot in hell Susan Atkins.
Posted by: Kelly | July 16, 2008 at 04:41 AM
I am ashamed that our society views extreme vengeance as a proper memorial. It plays into the worst aspects of human nature; that we are not part of a big family. We should view murder as if one member of our family killed another. A terrible tragedy. Some sort of punishment is needed. But punishing a broken down old dying women for something stupid (and awful) she did 40 years ago, is sick.
Posted by: cm | July 16, 2008 at 04:25 AM
Doesn't being sentenced to "life in prison" mean anything anymore? Apparently not. She was given mercy by being allowed to live, get married (a couple times), and have conjugal visits. Where was the mercy she showed Sharon Tate and her baby? It didn't exist, and neither should a compassionate release for this monster.
Posted by: Blaine | July 15, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Susan did something horrible. Something none of us should ever forget. But to think that she is the most violent and ruthless of all killers, as some readers imply, is to forget the cold-blooded ruthless murders that a large number of young males commit without so much as a second thought. Susan tried to do some good with her life. Those human vermin never consider any hint of regret. Those are the ones that should be locked up and have the key thrown away. But they get parole and are back on the streets to rape and murder again and again. Let us show some compassion to Susan Atkins. Or we risk becoming as cold-hearted and unfeeling as any killer is. This lady is dying of a horrible illness. I believe we should allow her to at least die in the comfort of her home. No, she didn't allow Sharon Tate or her child to do that. But that doesn't mean two wrongs make a right.
Posted by: joe4150 | July 15, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Talk of saving taxpayers money is hypocritical and it does trivialize the lives of the victims and the ongoing pain of their families. The next Manson disciple, Bruce Davis, has a parole hearing sometime this September. If you'd like to oppose his possible release, please send a parole block letter. Debra Tate(the sister of Sharon Tate)has a website with hearing dates, addresses and case histories. www.tatefamilylegacy.com
Posted by: Ross | July 15, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Susan Atkins is receiving medical care for her terminal illness. She is lying in a comfortable bed. She is able to receive visits from her loved ones. She will die surrounded by the people she loves--including the man she was permitted to marry--knowing she is being cared for.
I can hardly imagine a death more different from the one Sharon Tate and the others were forced to endure.
Mercy is a wonderful thing. And the fact that Susan Atkins will be allowed to die like that is mercy enough.
As the editorial board said, there are some crimes for which one truly deserves imprisonment until death, and hers is one of them.
To do more would be to fail to acknowledge the severity of her crimes and the pain and wishes of the victims' families.
Posted by: Hannah | July 15, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I am a Christian and say pay Caesar what is due Caesar. If Atkins has already given her life to Christ she can stay right where she is and continue doing her good works and be received when she dies instead of going to hell. But she should never be released. Being forgiven has nothing to do with the punishment she was assigned.
At least she will be spared death while in unspeakable terror and pain as a knife is thrust repeatedly into her stomach. She will be spared her last moments pleading for her life. She can be assured that the Lord is not a merciless punk with no soul like she was. Sharon Tate spent her last minutes on this earth in darkness. Susan Atkins should not be able to walk free again.
It is only a shame it costs so much to keep her. There are animal shelters across this country with loving kind helpless animals that could be sustained on the millions it is costing to keep this murderer until her father calls her home.
Posted by: Rebecca Portia | July 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM
I SAY LET HER OUT. SHE IS DYING. LET HER FAMILY HAVE SOME TIME WITH HER.
AND PLEASE DEBRA TATE, DONT LIVE AND DIE WITH HATE ALL YOUR LIFE AS YOUR POOR MOTHER DID. I SAY THIS WITH ALL RESPECT AND AS A PERSON WHO LOST A LOVED ONE THROUGH A TERRIBLE ACT OF VIOLENCE ALSO.
Posted by: Gale Allen | July 15, 2008 at 07:05 PM
We must all remember; those involved and convicted of these crimes were originally sentenced to death. Once death was abolished in this state, there should have never ever been the chance for parole. Something is terribly wrong with the system. If given another chance at life was inevitable, then these creatures should remain the rest of their lives behind bars.
Posted by: Angie | July 15, 2008 at 06:28 PM
You know, for about one hour I felt sorry for Susan Atkins, then I re-read the details of the horros of her crime. Death would have been more equitable as far as justice is concerned. I only hope she is well enough to know how HATED she still is. I hope she realizes how DISDAINFUL people view her; I hope she realizes how DISGUSTED people are with her; I hope she realizes how selfish and unfair this slut is for even THINKING about asking for relief. If she was remorseful, she'd WANT to spend the rest of her days incarcerated! Obviously, by asking for something she was/is/will be unable to give - compassion - and to EXPECT that from others is proof in and of itself she isn't fit for society no matter how paralyzed and sick the bitch is.
Posted by: Robbie Salyers | July 15, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I think it would be a mistake to let Susan Atkins out of prison. She did not give Sharon Tate or her baby any options. She ended two lives, I feel no compassion for her.
Posted by: Michalene Sieving | July 15, 2008 at 04:59 PM
FRY HER and if you don't YOU MUST THROW AWAY THE KEY. She should at the least rot in prison.
the people she murdered can't ever come back.
Posted by: yochanan | July 15, 2008 at 04:59 PM
I think it is a mistake not to release her. My reasons are financial. Becuse personally I think she should of been executed years ago with the rest of the retreads. California has already paid out 1.4 million and will probabley pay another 3 mil before she finally kicks the bucket. California have at ,but stop wondering why your broke!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jon wise | July 15, 2008 at 04:40 PM