Susan Atkins, Manson follower, is DEAD

[Deb in IA]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/susan-atkins-charles-manson-murderer-dies-prison/story?id=8670008

Manson Disciple Susan Atkins Dies in Prison at 61
Atkins Death From Brain Cancer Comes Less Than Month After Parole Denial
By SARAH NETTER
Sept. 25, 2009
Susan Atkins, the convicted murderer and onetime Charles Manson disciple, has died in prison, less than a month after her final plea for parole was rejected.


Atkins, 61, was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. The disease spread and Atkins, whose left leg was subsequently amputated, was paralyzed over most of her body by the time she died.

She was wheeled into the parole hearing on a gurney Sept. 2, her head covered in a pink and purple knitted cap. The cross she once carved into her forehead as a sign of loyalty to Manson was no longer visible.

Her face bloated, Atkins slept through most of the hearing, but spoke a few words of the Bible's Psalm 23, chiming in when cued by her husband and attorney James Whitehouse.

Atkins' family had pleaded with the parole board to show her mercy and let her die at home. But hearing officials cited the "atrocious" and "dispassionate" nature of the murders committed in 1969.

Atkins was one of five people convicted of the murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in a two-night murder spree ordered by cult-leader Manson.

Atkins, Manson, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Charles "Tex" Watson were sentenced to death. Their sentences were later commuted to life in prison after California temporarily abolished the death penalty in 1972.

Family members of her victims, including Tate's sister and the nephew of hair stylist Jay Sebring, attended the parole hearing to ask that she remain behind bars until her death.

The room was very quiet when the decision was announced. "No gasps or intakes of breath," said Lt. Bart Fortner, a spokesman at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, Calif.

The family members of her victims still had harsh words for Atkins, reminding the panel that she was a cold-blooded killer who had not once apologized to any of them for the lives she took in such a brutal, gruesome fashion.

"There has never been any hate in my for these people," said Debra Tate, a sister of murdered actress Sharon Tate, said while imploring the panel to deny Atkins' parole. "I am incapable of hating."


Tate noted that in denying her family an apology and seeking parole, Atkins has denied the Tate family a chance at freedom from her crimes.

Atkins can apply again for release in three years.

Since her conviction, Atkins has been denied parole 12 times. Doctors have said she is now close to death.

The two other female Manson murderers, van Houten and Krenwinkel, are up for parole next year.

She is the longest-serving female inmate currently incarcerated in California, entering the system on April 23, 1971 -- five days before Krenwinkel.

Family members of her victims pleaded with California officials to keep the one-time Manson acolyte follower behind bars.

Debra Tate and Anthony DiMaria, a nephew of hairstylist Jay Sebring, were among those who testified at the hearing at the Central California Women's Facility, according to Sandi Gibbons of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Manson is next up for parole in May 2012. Watson is up in November 2011.

 

[EMom]

Okay, it's harsh, but here goes.

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Her death was a lot more peaceful than Sharon Tate's, wasn't it?

 

[momrek06]

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

ITA!

 

[KAMKIM]

Well too bad for her - her real judgment day just came.

 

[N.Bailey]

Waa waa waa. I'm just glad the parole board and the victim's families don't have to attend another parole hearing for her.

 

[Mermaid02]

Okay, it's harsh, but here goes.

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Her death was a lot more peaceful that Sharon Tate's, wasn't it?

That's right! She was treated much better than she deserved. Must be warm where she is today.

 

[Carly_Roach]

Regardless of how she died or how she lived, Susan Atkins is now back in pure positive energy form and I'm happy for her. The only other thing I feel for her and the family members who were at her parole hearing is relief:

I'm glad none of them are going to have to go through this particular experience again.

Hopefully Atkins' death will provide closure and healing for anyone who was personally involved in that experience.

 

[DWGal210]

In reading the original article - it stated that 2 other Manson family members are set to go up for parole review in 2011 and 2012. Does anyone think they would ever get paroled?! I just can't see how that would happen. They would have to display some pretty darn compelling evidence of their regret and sorrow at what they did - but even then, with the Tate/LaBianca family members vowing to be a presence at all the parole hearings (as they should be), I don't see how a judge could parole them.

I posted this on another thread weeks ago (DebinIA, you might have started that one as well) about an interview with a prison guard or warden. They asked him if he felt that Manson should ever be let out of jail, and this guy said no, absolutely not - he hadn't a doubt in his mind that Manson would kill again if given the chance. I kinda feel the same way about the other people in jail for these crimes as well - true, it was 40 years ago, they were young, etc, but if someone can warp your mind into killing once, what makes them think it couldn't happen again?

I must say, I also tend not to believe people when they give the "I have come to know Christ, I have repented" argument. Now I am all for someone having religion, faith, spirituality etc in their life, especially after they have committed a horrible crime, but it's always seemed a bit convient to me that nearly all of these people give this "excuse" as they are up for parole. I hope for their souls they have found forgiveness and truly ARE sad for what they have done, but it's hard for me to believe it.

Just some mindless musings. Carry on.

 

[Aisling]

Regardless of how she died or how she lived, Susan Atkins is now back in pure positive energy form and I'm happy for her.

I believe she's back to pure energy form, and now she knows how horrible, vile, and evil a person she was, with no regard for human life, especially that of a baby that she help ripped out of his mother's womb, with no remorse. There's a "special" place in the energy-field for spirits like that.

Using new-age terminology that I sense you believe in, she became human, deliberately caused horrible pain, and has now left. I can never use the words "happy for her" in any way, shape, or form. Well, except to say I'm happy that she's gone. The rest is between her and her Maker.

 

[momrek06]

I have watched the News at times when any of the Manson family was up for parole whether it was Manson himself or one of the followers........IMHO, NONE of them has ever shown any remorse at all for what they did. ESP Manson himself......he is CRAZY. PERIOD. Those followers did more than kill Tate and the LaBianca's, they SLAUGHTERED them. Just so disturbing. And for what it is worth, I truly believe Linda Kasabian should be sitting in jail with the rest of them.

 

[DWGal210]

I have watched the News at times when any of the Manson family was up for parole whether it was Manson himself or one of the followers........IMHO, NONE of them has ever shown any remorse at all for what they did. ESP Manson himself......he is CRAZY. PERIOD. Those followers did more than kill Tate and the LaBianca's, they SLAUGHTERED them. Just so disturbing. And for what it is worth, I truly believe Linda Kasabian should be sitting in jail with the rest of them.

I agree with you on Linda Kasabian. I watched the History Channel show a few weeks ago that was mostly an interview with her and her experience of the murders. The part that struck me the most - - she talked about being outside the Tate house (as she tells it, she never went in the house) and hearing blood-curdling screams from Sharon Tate, and watching Abigail Folger run out of the house in terror, then get tackled by one of the killers and stabbed repeatedly. How she could have been there, hearing and seeing all of this and she is not accountable as well? I don't understand that either. I know she cut a deal with the prosecuters to tell who did what, but in my mind, she's just as guilty as the rest. I really wonder how she can live each day, after seeing and hearing what she did.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I believe she's back to pure energy form, and now she knows how horrible, vile, and evil a person she was, with no regard for human life, especially that of a baby that she help ripped out of his mother's womb, with no remorse. There's a "special" place in the energy-field for spirits like that.

How in the world can you possibly know what Susan Atkins is thinking, feeling or doing? Perhaps if you had ripped a child out of it's mother's womb then you'd know what a horrible, vile and evil person you are. In which case you'd be right about what you'd be describing what you are thinking, feeling and doing.

But there's absolutely no way someone else, including Susan Atkins, is going to feel the way you think they should feel regardless of how desperately you want Susan Atkins to feel that way. Maybe it gives you some sense of relief or vindication to think that so if it helps you, go right ahead.

Personally, I feel better knowing that Sharon Tate, her baby, and Susan Atkins are in better places now. For those who think Susan Atkins is in Hell, I have to wonder if Hell (this earth as we know it now and the people who populate it) isn't the place Susan Atkins just transitioned out of.

In any case, I'm still hoping this incident brings closure to the families of the murder victims.

 

[N.Bailey]

In reading the original article - it stated that 2 other Manson family members are set to go up for parole review in 2011 and 2012. Does anyone think they would ever get paroled?! I just can't see how that would happen. They would have to display some pretty darn compelling evidence of their regret and sorrow at what they did - but even then, with the Tate/LaBianca family members vowing to be a presence at all the parole hearings (as they should be), I don't see how a judge could parole them.

I posted this on another thread weeks ago (DebinIA, you might have started that one as well) about an interview with a prison guard or warden. They asked him if he felt that Manson should ever be let out of jail, and this guy said no, absolutely not - he hadn't a doubt in his mind that Manson would kill again if given the chance. I kinda feel the same way about the other people in jail for these crimes as well - true, it was 40 years ago, they were young, etc, but if someone can warp your mind into killing once, what makes them think it couldn't happen again?

I must say, I also tend not to believe people when they give the "I have come to know Christ, I have repented" argument. Now I am all for someone having religion, faith, spirituality etc in their life, especially after they have committed a horrible crime, but it's always seemed a bit convient to me that nearly all of these people give this "excuse" as they are up for parole. I hope for their souls they have found forgiveness and truly ARE sad for what they have done, but it's hard for me to believe it.

Just some mindless musings. Carry on.

They all come up for parole, but I don't think Tex or Charlie will ever see the light of day outside those prison walls, nor do I think they should.

Patricia Krenwinkle will never be released either.

Leslie Van Houten, IMO, is the only one that has a chance and I pray to God the parole board never releases her into society either. She still refuses to acknowledge her part in the La Bianca killings. She insists that she only stabbed Rosemary La Bianca after she was already dead. She's as guilty as the rest of the clan, but I pray that her refusal to take responsibility for her part in it all keeps her behind bars for the rest of her life.

They should all thank their lucky star that their death sentences were commuted to life with the possibility of parole (there was no such thing as without parole at the time the death penalty was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, so they were all given parole). They were spared their lives and should be thankful for that.

Ultimately however, I truly believe the Folger family has put their money where their mouth is. To my knowledge, no one from that family has ever attended a parole hearing, but I have read that they have stated no one responsible for those killings will ever be released and that they would see to it. I really believe they have spoken in a manner that will ensure that no one involved in those killings is ever paroled (Folger's coffee is good, but doesn't this make it taste even better?).

While she wasn't involved in the Tate/LaBianca murders, Lynette Fromme (tried to assassinate President Ford), was released from prison last month (August 2009). The last we heard from her publicly (prior to her release) was in '87 when she broke out of prison to run to Manson's side after hearing he had cancer. She supposedly was hysterical upon hearing the news.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Okay, it's harsh, but here goes.

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Her death was a lot more peaceful that Sharon Tate's, wasn't it?

Amen. The world is a better place already with her gone.

 

[N.Bailey]

I believe she's back to pure energy form, and now she knows how horrible, vile, and evil a person she was, with no regard for human life, especially that of a baby that she help ripped out of his mother's womb, with no remorse. There's a "special" place in the energy-field for spirits like that.

Using new-age terminology that I sense you believe in, she became human, deliberately caused horrible pain, and has now left. I can never use the words "happy for her" in any way, shape, or form. Well, except to say I'm happy that she's gone. The rest is between her and her Maker.

Maybe you're speaking metaphorically, but I just wanted to say that while Susan Atkins did say she thought about taking the baby, that never happened. Sharon was stabbed something like 16 times, but the baby was not taken from the womb.

There is a woman out there claiming to be Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski's child, but crime scene photos totally show that's not possible.

 

[Aisling]

How in the world can you possibly know what Susan Atkins is thinking, feeling or doing?

The same way you "know" that she's now pure positive energy.

She could be in Hell.
She could be in Heaven.
She could be pure energy rejoined back to the universe.
She could be gone in both body AND energy.

These are all beliefs held by people that cannot be proven one way or the other.

So, just as you speculate she's now pure positive energy, I speculate about what she's thinking, feeling and doing. Your guess is as correct or as incorrect as mine.

 

[wvjules]

In reading the original article - it stated that 2 other Manson family members are set to go up for parole review in 2011 and 2012. Does anyone think they would ever get paroled?! I just can't see how that would happen. They would have to display some pretty darn compelling evidence of their regret and sorrow at what they did - but even then, with the Tate/LaBianca family members vowing to be a presence at all the parole hearings (as they should be), I don't see how a judge could parole them.

I posted this on another thread weeks ago (DebinIA, you might have started that one as well) about an interview with a prison guard or warden. They asked him if he felt that Manson should ever be let out of jail, and this guy said no, absolutely not - he hadn't a doubt in his mind that Manson would kill again if given the chance. I kinda feel the same way about the other people in jail for these crimes as well - true, it was 40 years ago, they were young, etc, but if someone can warp your mind into killing once, what makes them think it couldn't happen again?

I must say, I also tend not to believe people when they give the "I have come to know Christ, I have repented" argument. Now I am all for someone having religion, faith, spirituality etc in their life, especially after they have committed a horrible crime, but it's always seemed a bit convient to me that nearly all of these people give this "excuse" as they are up for parole. I hope for their souls they have found forgiveness and truly ARE sad for what they have done, but it's hard for me to believe it.

Just some mindless musings. Carry on.

But Manson didn't personally physically kill anyone.

 

[momrek06]

But Manson didn't personally physically kill anyone.

So what...he was the MASTERMIND behind it all.

"Manson was convicted of conspiracy to commit the Tate/LaBianca murders, carried out by members of the group at his instruction. He was found guilty of the murders themselves through the joint-responsibility rule, which makes each member of a conspiracy guilty of crimes his fellow conspirators commit in furtherance of the conspiracy's object."

 

[N.Bailey]

But Manson didn't personally physically kill anyone.

In this country, you're guilty if a jury says you are, and Manson was indeed found guilty of murder. Not simply as an accomplice.

He may have played a part in the execution of Shorty Shea though. While he did not kill Gary Hinman, he did indeed cut his left ear off. There are also many murders that were committed that the family was never tried for.

Who is to say what exactly Manson did, physically? The entire clan was out to protect him from the get go. We know it was he who chose, broke in, and tied the La Bianca's up.

What about the black panther that Charlie shot and thought he had killed (btw, the guy was never a Black Panther but Manson thought he was)? He had no idea the guy survived, but killing was not something Charlie was against in any, way, shape, form, or fashion.

 

[wvjules]

I'm no defender of Charlie Manson. I think he is as evil as evil comes. I was just saying that he didn't physically kill anyone during the Tate/LaBianca murders. He should NEVER get out of jail.