Results tagged “susanatkins”

Manson Follower Susan Atkins Dies in Prison

Susan Atkins, the longest incarcerated woman in California history, died last night of natural causes. The 61-year-old native from San Gabriel was diagnosed with brain cancer, which prompted her to and relatives to ask for a compassionate release. That, along with thirteen attempts to be paroled, was denied last summer. Her last parole hearing was just a few weeks ago on September 3rd (she's been trying to be paroled since 1976).

Ailing Manson Follower, Susan Atkins, Denied Parole

With only months to live, Susan Atkins was denied parole for the 13th and most likely final time yesterday. The San Gabriel-born 61-year-old Charles Manson follower has been behind bars for 38 years after being convicted of murder over a 1969 killing spree left eight people, including Sharon Tate, dead. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer, prompting her and family to ask for a "compassionate release," which was also denied last summer.

Ailing Manson Family's Susan Atkins Up for Parole Today

Could the 18th time be a charm for Susan Atkins? The San Gabriel-born 61-year-old woman who was "convicted of killing actress Sharon Tate and seven others four decades ago," is up for parole one more time today, according to abc7.com, in a hearing postponed from May 28th.

Susan Atkins Parole Hearing Postponed

Convicted killer and former Manson follower Susan Atkins was due for another parole hearing May 28th after being denied a compassionate release last year. According to Associated Press, the parole hearing was abruptly postponed until September. The debate over Atkins' potential release has been raging. After all avenues to request compassionate release were exhausted, the bid for parole appeared to be Atkins' last chance at freedom. Last summer Atkins was given a year to live, so maybe it is just a matter of biding time.

Susan Atkins up for Parole Next Month

After being denied a compassionate release last July, Susan Atkins may have one more shot at freedom. Atkins comes up for her 18th bid for parole May 28.

On the night of August 8th, 1969, three young women and one young man traveled from their "family" compound following the instructions of their group leader to the Cielo Drive home that had once been the residence of Doris Day's music industry-affiliated son Terry Melcher, but was now the rented home of director Roman Polanski and his pregnant wife Sharon Tate. Once on the premises the four initiated a bloodbath that cost the lives of all who were present: Sharon Tate, Abigal Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Jay Sebring, and Steven Parent. The word "pig" was written in blood on the door; when Los Angeles woke up the next day they were stunned by the tragedy.

A 12-member State Board of Parole panel in Sacramento unanimously denied Susan Atkin's request for an early release today according to AP reports. This was the third in a four-step process. The next and last step would have been to face a judge in Los Angeles, but the board declined to refer the request to the court. Atkins, who has one leg that is paralyzed and one that has been amputated, has only months to live, according to her doctors.

According to the Associated Press, California's director of prisons is recommending that former Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins' request for a compassionate release be denied.

Calculating prison terms and release dates may more easily lead to errors in numbers, but when it comes to who has the honor of being California's longest-incarcerated woman, that distinction does indeed belong to Susan Atkins, the former Manson family member who is currently asking for a compassionate release from her life sentence.

Last week, news that one branch of what remains of the Manson family tree, Susan Atkins, was seeking a compassionate release due to an undisclosed and likely terminal illness triggered waves of reaction from the public, many of whom believe convicts of Atkins' ilk should remain incarcerated for the duration of their life sentences.

Convicted murderer Susan Atkins has earned a dubious honor: She has been the longest incarcerated woman in California history*, having logged 37 of her 59 years as an inmate following her conviction in the famous 1969 "Manson Murders."

A friend of mine stopped at a convenience store while driving across the California desert in the late 80s. As he turned the aisle, he almost had a heart attack. He was staring right into the face of Charlie Manson! He quickly realized this short teenager was too young, and of course Manson was locked up. Still, the resemblance was uncanny. The teen's mother protectively came over and gave my friend a dirty look....

1