Debra Tate opposes Manson follower parole
Manson follower Susan Atkins loses 13th attempt at freedom. Thirteen times, Manson family member Susan Atkins has asked to be released from prison. And 13 times, the parole board has denied her request.
CHOWCHILLA, CA (AP) — Susan Atkins, the terminally ill Charles Manson follower who admitted stabbing actress Sharon Tate 40 years ago, lost what is likely to be her last bid for freedom before she dies.
Debra Tate, a sister of the murdered actress, explained in the video below that she opposed the release since, “she didn’t show any of her victims any compassion whatsoever — as a matter of fact, she personally killed Sharon, and Sharon was begging for the life of her unborn baby at the time.”
Atkins, who suffers from brain cancer, slept through most of the four-hour hearing Wednesday during which her husband-lawyer pleaded for her release and families of victims of the Sharon Tate-Labianca killings urged that she be kept behind bars until she dies.
Atkins had been expected to die of brain cancer over a year ago, but the 61-year-old woman continues to cling to life.
She was denied compassionate release in July 2008, shortly after she was diagnosed and given only months to live.
Atkins was convicted of the seven Tate-LaBianca murders.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
CHOWCHILLA, Calif. (AP) — Susan Atkins, a terminally ill Charles Manson follower who admitted stabbing actress Sharon Tate 40 years ago, has slept on a gurney for much of a parole hearing that began around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The hearing in Chowchilla is still under way for Atkins, who is asking for her freedom before she dies.
She had been expected to die of brain cancer more than a year ago, but the 61-year-old woman continues to cling to life.
She was denied compassionate release in July 2008, shortly after she was diagnosed and given only months to live.
Wednesday's hearing is her regular parole hearing as a life prisoner. She was convicted of the seven Tate-LaBianca murders.