Almost a month ago, I shared my thoughts about the efforts to secure a "compassionate release" from prison for Susan Atkins. Atkins was the Charles Manson disciple who personally slaughtered actress Sharon Tate and her unborn baby back in 1969. Originally sentenced to death, Atkins is currently serving a life sentence. She has been denied parole 12 times over the years.
Doctors claim that Atkins is dying of brain cancer and has only a few months to live. Friends and family members have been seeking a "compassionate release" for Atkins so that she doesn't die in State custody.
Yesterday, the California state parole board unanimously denied her request for release. The surviving family members of her victims describe themselves as being "both relieved and pleased with the decision".
Maybe I'm just heartless but I'll sleep just fine this evening knowing that Susan Atkins is still in prison. If nothing else, the irony of a woman who murdered Sharon Tate with a knife and then used her blood to write the word "pig" seeking a "compassionate release" is not lost on me.
Beyond that, by feeding her, housing her and providing her with taxpayer paid for medical care, I think the system has already showed Susan Atkins a lot more compassion than she has ever deserved.
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