CORONA, Calif. - Former Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins, convicted in the 1969 murder of actress Sharon Tate, could soon be released from prison because she is near death, authorities said.



Atkins, 59, is terminally ill and being considered for so-called "compassionate release," state corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton said. She gave no details of Atkins' illness, but said a doctor had determined she had less than six months to live.

The corrections department was reviewing the request, which if approved would then be passed to the state Board of Parole which has the power to release Atkins under state law so they can die with loved ones, at their expense.

Such releases are relatively rare — only 10 of the 60 requests made last year were granted, Thornton said. The prisoners must have family members willing and able to care for them.

Atkins' husband has acted as her attorney over the years and would be her caretaker if she is released.

Atkins was one of cult leader Manson's ersatz hippie "family" of young killers who burst into a Los Angeles home 39 years ago and killed Tate, the pregnant wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski, along with four others. The following night they stabbed to death a wealthy couple in their Los Angeles home.

Atkins has been denied parole 11 times, most recently in 2005.

She was housed in the California Institution for Women in Frontera for 37 years, but has been in a nearby hospital since March.

(This version CORRECTS that Tate and others were killed in Los Angeles, not Beverly Hills, and that prison is in Frontera, not Corona.)

Don´t know how to feel about this. I saw a documentary about this not too long ago,so right now I feel a bit biased and don´t really think that she should get a sick release. They really butchered Sharon Tate and her friends and never really seemed to regret any of the things they did. Sure, she´s probably older and wiser now but, I don´t know, as far as I´m concerned , they can all rot in jail. Killing people is bad enough, but butchering a pregnant woman is a whole different thing.

Isn´t Beverly Hills actually part of LA ? I still don´t understand all this Hollywood-Beverly Hills-LA distinction thingy...I thought they´re all parts of LA.Or are they considered parts of the Greater LA county or municipality ?

By the way...Hi Mach !

KoolEaze said:

That's awful.

KoolEaze said:

Pretty much how I feel, buy the ticket; take the ride.

Problem is, she was the sickest puppy of all the Manson girls, including Manson himself. She tried to cut out Sharon Tate's baby, she had fun killing and stabbing with no remorse, she bragged about it. She should just die in prison. Sure, give her some nice room, cable, decent food, visitors, but let her die in prison. Fucking bitch ass murderer.

They should let Manson out, give him a radio show. That would be some classic shit. Howard Stern would have to retire.

I wonder what illness she has.
If anyone deserves a sick release, it is not her.

2freaky4church1 said:

I remember these details, all too well. And agree with you. She should not be released.

She has been a "sick monster" (I don't want to insult dogs) long before this illness, entered her body.

It would also send out the wrong political signal to execute Tookie Williams but at the same time grant this person a sick release.

2freaky4church1 said:

Scary!!!