Im sure that sharon, jay, steve, voiteck and abigail as well as leno and rosemary would have liked to see their loved ones before they died, so why should she have the chance to. I say NO. let her die in an undignified way.

I agree! What compassion did she show those she brutally murdered?? Dying in a hospital bed is more compassionate then being bludgeoned to death!

Then again, why should taxpayers have to foot the bill for her hospital expenses, which are sure to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars? It's not like she's a danger to anyone. Who knows, she may not even be aware of the drama being played out in the media over her release. Let her husband and her estate assume responsibility for her hospital bills. Just another perspective...

the facts are mixed up, it is now widely believed that Tex Watson and Pat Krenwinkel killed the victims, and Atkins only held Tate down, i say free her, it was so long ago, then again, if it had been a family member of mine idk if I would be so forgiving...

I think at this point we might be past the issues of life sentence or death.

Isn't it most important at this point that Ms. Atkins receive good end of life care? Is the current prison not able to provide this? Have they in some way obstructed her family (genetic & state recognized) from attending?

If not, than pls. explain need for "compassionate relief". Doesn't "compassionate relief" allow more visitors?

I wouldn't profess to know, it just seems she has known prison life for almost 40 years; what care is she not receiving, or visitors that are not allowed? How would release be helpful?

It will be most important at this point for Ms. Atkins to be allowed to make her peace with God.

Without Mr. Manson being designated her final confessor, than I suppose she should be allowed to speak her final words to whom she feels most comfortable.

A life sentence is a life sentence regardless of how that life ends. She doesn't deserve ANY compassion.

Compassionate release plea is a request used for terminal life sentencers to be paroled. I think this kind of plea is one more example of how slanted justice is toward criminals. Where are the victim's rights? Murder victims don't have freedom. The victim's families have to live with all the aftermath their entire lives, too. Serial killer, Susan Atkins along with the other Manson disciples were all sentenced to die and must stay incarcerated because of the heinous nature of their crimes. Otherwise, if they were ever to be paroled it would set a very dangerous precedent. If these notorious, sociopath killers ever get released then who next. Physically not a threat, but the message sent to society is the REAL Threat. Besides, Atkins gets health care that a growing number of decent, law abiding Americans can't afford to get. Sharon Tate's and Steven Parent's mothers both died of brain cancer and were never given release from their hell.

I have followed this since I was in high school,I am now 44years old. My thoughts are this, where was her compasion all those years ago? Why should we show her or any of the others any kind of compasion now. I understand that she was young and under Manson's spell but my God they took innocent human lives, even one who didn't get the chance to breath on his own. I know that God says to forgive, but could you forgive if it had been a family member of yours??? I'm not sure if I could!!
Barbara Swann

Ross Man said the truth: "Atkins gets health care that a growing number of decent, law abiding Americans can't afford to get." THANK YOU!!! THAT IS TRUE - AND WHY SHOULD THAT MURDERER BE ALLOWED ONE OUNCE OF COMPASSION AFTER HER INVOLVEMENT IN THOSE HEINOUS CRIMES. MS TATE DID NOT DESERVE THAT FATE, NOR ANY OF THE OTHERS - I HOPE SHE ROTS IN HELL FOR TAKING THEIR LIVES.

I SAW SHARON TATE'S GRAVE ONCE AND I PUT A ROSE ON IT, AND SAID PRAYERS; I WAS A KID WHEN IT THE CRIME HAPPENED BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET IT.

where is V. Graham? I'd like to ask her some questions that alot of people have wanted to ask for a long time. It seems to be about that time.

In the infamous words of Ms. Atkins "Bitch I have no mercy for you. You are going to die so you better get ready"

That somehow seems appropriate to me!

Well she may be a born again Christian but the fact remains she has murdered. I remember this high profile case I was 16 and scared to death just knowing that there was someone like Manson out there getting young people to do his dirty work. As far as I am concerned they should have put them all to death 39 yrs ago. Walking garbage is how I feel about the Manson family. I hope Susan has found God because she is going to need him in her last hour.

Gina, My sentiments exactly! She deserves as good as she gave Sharon Tate.

I`ll skip that this story falsely states that Susan Atkins stabbed Sharon Tate...I am amazed at the people who assume someone is exactly the same person they were 40 years ago..Susan was a wild teenager who did some horrible things in a cult. OK maybe she should serve out her "life" sentence and die in prison but try and be objective and stop talking about her as if the murders happened last week!

Jesus alone is the true judge and advocate. He asked us to forgive others so that He can forgive us of our sins. Is Susan Atkins worthy of forgiveness? Are we worthy of forgiveness?
I forgive Susan Atkins. He or she who is without sin may cast the first stone.

In her testimony in the original trials and to the grand jury Atkins said she did inflict several of the stab wounds herself and enjoyed it very much.Her story has changed from one parole hearing to the next over the years. Not that it really matters, because her participation makes her guilty of multiple murders.Does not matter when the murders happened, just ask the living relatives of the victims! It is just "last week" every day for them.

She was originally condemned to death which was what should have happened. The nerve of this "thing" asking for compassion. And a born again Christian. PUH--LEEZE.
I don't believe in God but I'm sure if I did I would assume she can die in prison and be with her "god" for eternity. Maybe then she can meet Sharon Tate's unborn baby or Steven Parent and explain....

To the comment that Atkins "only" held victims down while Tex did the actual stabbing.

"ONLY held them down"?????????????

How utterly sickening. She killed them with as much or more culpability as Linda Kasabian, who waited in the car, testified for the prosecution, and got off scott free.

Did Kasabian go for help? Did anyone protest the horrific crime spree once Tex blew away poor teenaged Steven Parent, who came up to Cielo only to sell a radio, had the tragic fate of not getting his car down the driveway by a few minutes?

"ONLY held them down???????????" Unbelievable.

How would you feel if somebody was stabbing you and another was "ONLY HOLDING YOU DOWN???????"

Atkins should rot in prison, then rot in hell.

cool brain cancer nice and painful how fitting for the little witch goin out in style one of the worst cancers to have then eternity in hell wow enjoy it sadie

I find it disheartening to say the least that the comments on this post are almost unanimous in their opposition to granting Atkins' request. I would not for a moment minimize the horror of her crimes or for that matter the fact indeed she showed not one drop of mercy for her victims or Tate's poor unborn child. However, I would like to think that both I and the rest of us show more compassion than a deeply disturbed murderer. That Atkins showed no compassion does not mean we should not. She is no longer a threat to anyone. Let us show that we are more compassionate than she and let her breath her last words of regret that she was ever born in the company of her family, let us give her the last reprieve she never gave her victims. The purpose of prison is to ensure a safe society, not to exact vengeance, and there is no vengeance for such awful crimes anyway, expect perhaps to live with the knowledge of having committed them.

I don't believe that Susan Atkins' prison record could be as commendable as it has been, if she hasn't truly changed. While she and the other principle members of the Manson Family may have completely changed for the better, I don't believe they should be granted parole. However, Susan Atkins is dying, and if we can't give her compassion at the time of her death (regardless of her transgressions), we should at least realize that when she does pass away she will have served her sentence according to society's laws. What better way for her to comprehend mercy than by showing her and especially her family some mercy during this difficult time. Take a moment to think how you would feel if someone you loved died of a terminal illness in a prison hospital, and then reconsider your thoughts on compassion. Saving taxpayers’ money is also an important consideration. Lastly, I was wondering if “Country Sue” that made the comment above is indeed the former Manson Family member Country Sue.

Susan Atkins or Sadie Mae Glutz never thanked the
California Supreme Court for sparing her life! The more I hear about the likes of criminals like her, the more I support the death penalty! Virginia Graham is right, they all find Jesus when they go to jail!

She showed no mercy then let's not show mercy for her. This country takes enough of my taxes for stuff I don't want I'm perfectly ok with my tax $'s for her last hospital stay.

Thomas, first let me ask you if Sharon Tate was your daughter or if Paul Tate was your first grandchild would you still be so forgiving? As for her being a good christian and finding god and all that; I don't for one moment believe that. All prisoners wanting out claim they too found god. They think that is what the parole board wants to hear. It is so self serving and transparent to me.

On one hand, let the bitch be released and let her family pay lots of money for her medical care. She's been getting free medical care since she's been in jail. Most americans don't have "free" or even any medical care and they are just living day to day. On the other hand, why should she get a compassionate release? Was she compassionate towards her victims?? No!! Family and relatives suffered for many years because of what this little bitch did when she was young...she choose that way of life... Put yourself in the families shoes - what if one of your family members were so brutally murdered, and one of the murderers was dying, would you want that murderer to be released with a compassionate release??? I think the medical community should NOT provide any medication at all and let the prisoner die in horrondeous pain...

I find it ironic that Susan Atkins is asking for mercy; did she offer Sharon Tate, her unborn child or any of the other victims any mercy? I feel that she should die in prison, as her sentence now states.

Get on ho ho ho home Sadie.....time to pay thr piper!

Release the girl...fact is...it is her and victims of mind-control guru's like Manson, David Koresh, Jim Jones etc....that are the TRUE victims. Sure other people suffered...ie..Sharon Tate and all the others...but the true monster has ALWAYS been Charles Manson. Susan wasn't a danger within weeks of being seperated from the drug induced psychosis induced by Manson. The poor girl..and the others should have been released two decades ago.

Susan Atkings deserved the death penalty in 1971, because she took part in horrible murders and other crimes. In fact, since 1965 until her arrest in Oct. 1969, there wasn't a sin she hadn't committed.
But, on Feb. 1972 the State of California gave Susan another chance. Susan took it and reformed. Susan atkins as from 1972 on is the opposite of Sadie Mae Glutz of the Manson Family.
In Judaism, repentant and remorse are a fundemantal basics. Susan did both, and dedicated her life since to help others and prevent them from following her footsteps.
Susan was a victim of Charles Manson. She wouldn't have killed anyone if she hadn't met him and - missing her dead mother and functioning father - entrapped in his web of crime, drugs and psychological manipulation. IF she was that monstrous girl, she could have overcome her wardens and flee out of jail. She knew how to fight, she knew how to unlocked doors and how to sneak in and out buildings. Instead, she became a model prisoner and this is because she managed to get free of Manson's influence.
So yes, jail time DID help her reformed and to return to be the Susan Atkins she was before 1965 - a law-abiding, kind, graceful and gentle woman.
I say yes - show her mercy, because she deserves it. Let her free, let her show she is reformed. I'm sure of it.

I think most all my thoughts were expressed by erin gafni so not much need to repeat all of that. I do feel that sharon has been reformed over the past 40 years and should be released to die with her family and friends..history is history so lets let it be just that.

It does not even come into the equation that Susan Atkins is now a Christian. The fact remains that she commited a terrible crime, was judged & found guilty & was sentenced to death. When the Supreme Court put a stop to the death penalty stating it was cruel & unusual, then Susan was given life with possibility of parole. Each time Susan has gone before the parole board she has been denied. The fact she now has terminal brain cancer & will not survive another 3 months has no effect on her sentence or the parole board.

Susan Atkins found Jesus Christ in prison. He has forgiven her of her sins, if she is sincere. Only He knows if it is a true conversion or an act. If it is indeed real then she will go to be with Him after death. But I do not think she should be allowed one day of freedom untill she dies or be shown any extraordinary compassion. She committed the crime, so she must do the time, period! In the past 40 years Susan has been able to marry, continue her education, work, make new friendships, have visitors....All while her victim(s) lay 6 ft under & their families grieve. The Lord will have great compassion for Susan after she is with Him, if she is the real deal. While on this earth, she should be shown little to none. I really mean this!

When you committ a crime, then find the Lord, & ask Him into your heart & He forgives you of your sins....wonderful, Amen! Spread the Gospel with other cellmates but that doesn't effect the crime you committed in your sinfull past! You still must pay for your crime. The Lord can wash your sinful self whiter than snow. But you still must do your time for your crime. No compassionate early release for people doing hard time. Their victims families get no relief from the grieving they are being put thru!

No compassionate release, no release for cellmates who find Jesus, do the crime....do every day for the crime!

I have no doubt that Susan Atkins is not the same person she was in 1969. It seems to me, from the interviews I've seen, that she is probably remorseful and truly sorry for the pain she has caused. And that is why it is of utmost importance that she never be let out of prison, because only after this understanding does punishment begin. It's only now, after all these years, that she is really suffering, cognizant of the magnitude of her crime, and knowing she will never be free because of it. This is true punishment: *after* you've realized your crime, *after* you wish you could do it over again, *after* you've spent years and years being sorry, *after* you don't even know the person who did these things anymore because you've changed so much you might as well be a different person, you're still in jail with no chance of parole, and that is when you truly *start* to pay for what you've done, when it really hurts you. I think it's worse than death.

This woman is convicted of 9 murders counting baby Polanski. She has been in prison for 39 years. Do the math that is only 4.3333 for each victim. When did we start letting mass murders out at all. Rot in hell Sadie.

Whether Susan Atkins killed Sharon Tate is up for debate, she did stab Voyteck Frykowski a number of times in the leg. And holding Sharon down, constitutes murder anyway, she went in that house with premeditation from the beginning. I say NO.

No, she should NOT be released. It would be an injustice to the victims, who suffered at the hands of this woman.

Here, here Rob Crenshaw. Well said. Twenty years after the crimes I had thought that Leslie had been reformed & maybe,- maybe- would not pose a threat to society if ever released. (Though that's not really the point, prison is not storage until the person is deemed fit to be free again) But with the internet & the ability to view all the color crime scene photos & autopsy photos, I absolutely believe that none - NONE- of the killers should EVER be released. The fact that Steve Grogan (Clem) got out is very wrong in my opinion. He was a bad guy. His quote when asked about two female teenage hitchhikers' whereabouts was "they got homesick". They were never accounted for. That was the gist of his response to another person's disappearance, Shorty Shea. A person who was later found to be murdered. He was connected to the crime & was able to lead the authorities to the remains years later to gain his release. How awful!!! How many other people have these monsters killed. If they were the big Christians they profess to be & not just out for themselves as I am sure is the case, they would fess up & let the families of missing "Family" associates have closure. It's about serving a sentence for a crime committed. As for the new version of Susan's participation in the Tate murders. I do not buy it. They all had to get their hands dirty, per Charlie. As Leslie was directed to do at the La Bianca's murder. Susan was upset that she could not go along on the second night of murder. Let's not forget that. It's all a very sad story. It is sad that someone so young destroyed so many lives. Including her own. She was never insane & knew perfectly well what she was doing. It is what it is. She has been treated compassionately in prison. The horrors she perpetrated on others will never happen to her. Let her stay in prison. Actually she's in the hospital now. So in essence she's not in prison. She should be aware that she is incarcerated on her last breath. To remember what she did. With her time on earth this is what she chose to do with her life.

I think this is very sad. I truly do.

What Susan did was heinous to be sure...

But there is forgiveness through pain and anger....through heartache in the lives of others. I believe this woman contributed to society in a way that we will never understand or know...but I bet the prison officials do....who speak kindly of her time and effort to help other incoming inmates who were screwing up their lives too....most times, it doesn't take a murder or being a murderer to turn your life around..but God forgives ALL sins, not just one or another and he loves those who come to him and who can help others escape the hell that Susan created for those who were murdered and their families...we place so much emphasis on murder as the ultimate sin, when adultery, divorce, narcissism, spousal and child abuse are just as prevalent, if not more, yet more socially acceptable....

What the hell has this country become if we cannot forgive? It seems to me that whether or not we go to hell is based upon the severity of the crime, which is ridiculous. Many more live in hell daily from the above things I've outlined.

It's easier to focus on someone who has committed a crime forty yeras ago, then the hell that is now in the present.

K.

Is it just me ... or is anyone else disgusted that this woman was ever allowed to HAVE a family to want to die with? She was sentenced to death, that was changed to life in prison ... where she was supposed to be being punished. Then some crazy person decided he wanted to marry her (beyond me) and in our nutso prison system, that is allowed! There is something SO wrong with anyone who meets and wants to marry someone in prison for life (or on death row, etc.)! Just because they are nuts, doesn't mean we should allow it! Even someone who is in for a shorter sentence should have to wait until they are released to get married!

Thomas, you've said it well.

In practical terms, what bad could possibly come of releasing Atkins at this point? The woman is so terminally ill that she can barely speak or sit up. No more innocent lives are ever going to die at those hands, behind bars or out.

And what practical good could come of releasing her? Hundreds of thousands of dollars that would otherwise be spent by the state on her medical care will become her family's responsibility instead. Think of it as Atkins' last drop of penance to society, giving up that money to pay for new roads or schools or the health care of others.

Those are the practical terms. Ideologically, it's no longer about how much compassion Atkins showed or how Christian she can be. At this point, with her disease rendering her utterly unable to commit crime again, it has become a question of how much compassion we as a nation can show, and how capable we are of living as Christ directed.

How easy is it to turn the other cheek for a slap that we know full well will never come? As easy as learning to let go of hate and let healing into our own hearts, and the hearts of Atkins' family, who surely never expected to lose a family member this way.

I forgive Atkins but that doesnt mean that she should be released from the consequences of her actions. Let her die in prison.

The Atkins' family never expecting to lose a family member in this way....WOW! Did the families of the 9 people who were slaughtered expect to lose family members in the way that they did? Shame on you. I was a senior in high school that summer of '69 in Southern California. And though I was not a part of the "hippie movement" it was all "supposed" to be about peace and love and all the little flower children. That all changed that August night in Benedict Canyon.
I remembered how I cried for the victims, especially Sharon and the unborn son who never had a chance to live. I agree with Virginia Graham in the sense that everyone does seem to find religon and God in prison (have always said "Poor God") always to late to be of any use to their victims. Where were all these devotees "BEFORE" their epiphany in prison.
As it has been said in previous posts, Susan has received a free education, been allowed to marry (not once but twice) have conjugal vistation, been sheltered, three meals a day, again, WOW, I personally think she has been shown enough compassion in the last 40 years.
Susan may have been young and "wild" as one of the other posts has commented....well, we all were at one time, and when I was it sure as hell didn't include trips on LSD and then using that as an excuse to murder 9 victims.
I am sorry that the members of the Manson Family (and I use the term loosely), were so willing to be led, and wanting someone, anyone else to do their thinking for them. I think the term I am looking for is "sheep". I am also sure that after nearly 40 years that is one decision they wish they could take back as a "do over."
The families of the victims haven't had a respite from the pain in the last 40 years, and to them I am sure it does feel like yesterday everyday.
So, a cruel as this is going to sound, an amputated leg, the other one paralyzed, can hardly speak, and can't sit up. Sounds like a fitting end to me. Remember Susan, God is not always a forgiving God. Deborah

May everyone, whether dead or dying, find peace and heaven above, who's involved in this sadness. There has been enough misery here on Earth.

I think she should rot in prison. I have no mercy for or the others who killed and enjoyed doing it..

It is more honorable that Susan Atkins and the rest of the Charles Manson 'Family' should spend the rest of their lives in prison WITHOUT any chance of parole. Let them suffer like what they did to their victims. Burn in Hell Atkins!

Sic Semper Tyrannis, Susan Denise Atkins!

Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that Susan Atkins never would have harmed anyone if it were not for Manson. I disagree, whoever you are. Please check your facts. Vincent Bugliosi (?), in the book Helter Skelter, explained how he proved that ALL the killers in the Tate/LaBianca murders had violent tendencies BEFORE they hooked up with Nutcase Charlie. (Susan Atkins wasn't fast enough on the draw with a local cop and told him (in so many words) that had she been a bit quicker, she would have dropped him.) Bugliosi proved that they had the potential to kill but that Manson helped them manifest that.
Someone also mentioned that prisons are not for revenge. Instead, they are intended to rehabilitate. I agree. Personally, I think she deserves some compassion. She was young and impressionable at the time she committed these atrocities. Manson was extremely charismatic. Honestly, are any of us the same person we were 40 years ago? For that matter, 10 years ago? I have to say no. I'm not saying to excuse her actions. I think they should show her what she didn't show Ms. Tate or any of the others. But to be honest, if I were the relative of one of the unfortunate victims, I would definitely be singing another song. Thats human nature, folks.

We seem to forget she left her blood family many years ago , her real family was Manson and his drug crew. no one is the same person they were back than finding God in prison is nothing new that is a personal faith between what you come to believe in she believe mason was Christ and truly believe that the crimes they committed was showing real love to there victims and was not sorry for her actions because they were not wrong in her head she knew right from wrong and today is in a hospital not in prison setting so in a way she out just not free to leave.