Susan Atkins, one of the original members of The Manson Family, Charles Manson’s posse of murderers, has passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. Atkins was one of the women sent to kill actress Sharon Tate and has claimed for years that she would have never committed such a crime had it not been for the brainwashing that Manson subjected her to, combined with the massive amount of drugs that she was doing at the time. In 2002, Atkins sat down for this interview with Diane Sawyer that I immediately remembered when I heard the news of her death today. For those of you who are not familiar with this story or that might need a refresher course, this is a great clip for you to watch.
While it’s hard to forgive someone for murder under any circumstances, I do believe it’s a shame that Atkins was so sick at her final parole hearing on September 2nd that she had to be wheeled in the the courtroom on a gurney and was still denied release. At the time of death, Atkins was 61 years old. She was the first to die out of those imprisoned for the murders. Manson, and three others, remain in prison today.
Molls, enough with the bleeding heart crap. You feel it’s a “shame” that Atkins had to be wheeled into a courtroom for a parole hearing? Correction: It’s a shame that the murdered victims had to endure their last minutes on this earth in sheer terror and pain. Screw Atkins!
I don’t see the value in keeping a woman who can’t even move in jail to be cared for on the state’s dime for the remaining month of her life when she’s done nothing but show remorse for her actions for years.
If she was remotely physically capable of murder, sure, keep her in jail. But why should the state foot the bill for a God-fearing, reformed criminal who’s too weak to speak when she can go home and spend the last month of her life with her family who’s willing to care for her? I’m not saying we should give Manson the same treatment when he is near death, but Atkins genuinely seemed to regret her past.
I see your point, Molls, but I’d have to respectfully disagree. I’ll concede that in economic terms, it wouldn’t make much sense to keep her in jail. However, I believe the issue here is justice. The woman murdered someone, and in my opinion, she shouldn’t be released just because she got sick.
Putting people in jail serves more of a purpose than simply keeping them from committing more crime. It’s also for retribution.
I agree.
At the time of the killings, putting one’s self in the place of the victims one would demand the strongest possible punishment for the killers. That passion for justice, that rage at the horror of it all, shouldn’t diminish just because time has passed. Sharon Tate and her baby arent any less dead.
She may not have felt like the same person she was 40 years ago. But she in fact was the same person who viciously murdered others. And THAT person…had to pay. THAT person is who was denied parole. THAT is the person who died in jail.
ThickMascara, Mal and Workinonit took the words right out of my mouth.
If it was your family members that were killed you could probably understand better. I believe god will forgive her, because he said he will. But should she get to exsperiance freedom, even for a short time? If you truely knew all the facts, and gruesome details and put your family members in the places of the murder victims, I suspect you would have a change of heart
MOLLS WHOA – wait just a second!!!
First you have to consider the alternate: THERE IS NONE!!!! She is either going to get cancer treatments on California’s dime (she was treated at $10,000 per week – for over 10 weeks) – OR – they can release her and she’ll go to the first hospital that she passes – and get cancer treatments (at probably the NORMAL $20,000 per week) on THAT hospital’s dime – which the STATE will have to pay anyhow!!!! It is against Federal Law to refuse to treat her – only because she cannot pay!!!
Her ttoal 2 year long medical bills surpassed $1.15 million with additional cost of over $300,000 to guard her hospital room. Susan Atkins died on September 24, 2009 of brain cancer. A perfect example of a life completely wasted – for the woman that spent the most time behind bars – in California History (October 1969 to September 2009 – 39 years 11 months) Her husband said: No one on the face of the Earth worked as hard as Susan did to right an unrightable wrong.” Her last whispered word was ‘Amen.’
So she died in prison – does that make you fee happy – it shouldn’t?!?!!?!??!
Hey Molls did you forget that they cut Sharon Tate’s baby out of her stomach. So it seems to me she got some mercy more mercy that she showed to Sharon and her un born baby.
They didn’t cut her baby out of her stomach.
They stabbed her and the baby to death. As if that makes any difference.
Ummm….errrr…..uhhh – actually – Atkins admitted that she cut the baby out of Sharon Tate – and stabbed it in the chest – killing it. This MUST be true – because one of the gazillion charges against Susan Atkins was “feticide” (the act of killing an unborn fetus) – aka “child destruction”!!!
Oddly enough, I just watched a docu-drama on The History Channel last week called, “Manson” about the him, the family, the one girl who didn’t go to jail, etc. Fascinating.
I was going to say that you’re almost as bad as the Manson groupie over on ohnotheydidnt, but at least you aren’t claiming that Manson shoukd be released because he didn’t actually kill anyone (as far as anyone knows). But you aren’t much better, and sadly, the bleeding-heart liberal bs is on that same level.
Try having a family member of yours die as a result of murder, and you’d change your mind, I can almost guarantee. My teenage cousin C was murdered in front of his brother as C’s girlfriend was being raped by one of the people robbing my cousin’s group. I don’t care if the gangbangers are ‘so sowwy’ for what they did – they made a lifechanging choice and have to deal with the consequences.
Writers like you make me sick, really.
I totally agree with you, yet again. I don’t think that any person who stabbed (over 16 times) an 8 month pregnant, innocent, unarmed woman should be given ANY reprieve for the crimes she committed. I don’t care if she has the worst, most painful, agonizing freaking disease ever. That woman deserved to rot in her cell until the day she died. I hope she thought everyday of the woman and UNBORN CHILD that she willingly stabbed to death. And I’m sure she did become remorseful of her actions, as she should have, and I hope that the rest of every minute of her pathetic life was ruined by the thoughts and nightmares of what she did.
By Susan’s own recounting, Sharon Tate begged Susan to take her with them until she had the baby, and then kill her. She was less than two weeks away from her due date, and she just wanted her baby to be born, whether or not she herself got to live. Susan killed her and her baby.
I’m glad that bitch rotted and died in jail. Sometimes the horrible things you do negate your value as a person a preclude you from ever experiencing mercy.
Yeah, I just refreshed my memory as to the facts of the case, and it’s much more brutal than I had remembered. I can see no justification in showing Atkins any mercy whatsoever.
Well getting old is a bitch isn’t it? Also a bitch: getting murdered by some crazy fucks for no apparant reason, having your life and your unborn child’s life robbed from you, and dying a horrible, terrifying agonizing death. Then, one of your killers gets to live her entire life with 3 meals a day and gets interviewed on TV, and succumbs to death at old age by natural causes.
Ridiculous. Would you post this crap if she had murdered YOUR sister, mother, friend, etc?
Of course she would – Molly is SO -edgy- like that.
Um, really? They slaughtered their victims without any mercy.. I mean seriously. I don’t feel bad that she died the way that she did behind bars. In fact, I hope she was in a LOT of pain for a long time.
That’s what “life in prison” means- you remain there until they carry you out feet first. Atkins could feel sorry until the damn cows come home, the fact that she stabbed a woman to death who was eight months pregnant, who pled for the life of her unborn baby- no “sorry” can make up for the horror Sharon Tate experienced in the last minutes of her life. Not to mention the horror her family has had to live with all these years.
Brain cancer is not a “get out of jail free” card. Susan Atkins willingly joined the Manson Family, willingly took the drugs, and willingly committed murder. Her actions at the trial spoke volumes. I pray the child she bore never finds out who his birth mother is.
yea, her sentence was life in prison. i don’t understand why this post is so sympathetic to her. she killed innocent people and paid the consequences (life in prison). end of story.
bee hind – i’d like to piggyback on your ideas by pointing out that linda kasabian, the member who helped put them all behind bars also joined of her own free will, did all those same drugs, went along on those death rides – but couldn’t bring herself to do any harm, because she knew then as she knows now that it was wrong.
i thought it telling that in that history channel program she talked about feeling tremendous guilt for NOT going to jail along with the rest. my only wish (aside from it never happening at all) is that she had found just a little more courage and run for help when she saw everything start to spiral out of control.
susan atkins was a cold-hearted killer. she died where she was supposed to die. from what i can see, she was essentially still the same kind of person – she just switched which “god” she chose to follow.
rest in peace, sharon. the monsters are finally starting to die away…
I know Kasabian testified against the Manson family- but to me, she could have done something more. She witnessed Watson shoot Steven Parent-he was 18 years old at the time!
Atkins was lucky, she lived 40 years longer than Sharon & Steven.
She would “like” to be out someday???? Are you serious?! I bet Sharon Tate would LIKE to have seen her child grow up. And tears don’t mean remorse. She’s led a nice little life in prison with her inmate buddies, laughing it up, teaching classes, wearing nice, warm sweatshirts, eating 3 squares a day, not having to work or provide for a family. I am SO disgusted by this. I can’t believe anyone could ever think that she should have a “compassionate release.” She deserves nothing compassionate. She deserved to die alone and in pain.
And who is this guy that is her husband? When did she marry him? I too think she should not be shown any mercy. Although in no way returns Sharon Tate and her unborn child to life (or any of the other many victims) at least justice was served.
“It also left an unshakable image of Atkins as a remorseless killer, who taunted the court at her sentencing with chilling words: “You’d best lock your doors,” she said, “and watch your own kids.””
Yep, that sounds like a person who deserved a “compassionate release”.
Monster.
I simply can’t believe some of the shit that you write.
As far as the state having to spend all that money to keep her in prison, it isn’t like she was going to be released and magically have money to pay her medical bills. The state (more specifically, us taxpayers) would have still been paying for them. I’m glad she died in prison (LIFE IN PRISON), why should she get a chance to be free and tell her loved ones goodbye? Sharon sure didn’t. GO JUSTICE SYSTEM!!!!!!!
Now the real sentence begins… enjoy your life in hell you disgusting Monster.
She died a repenting christian,she’s probably in heaven. We’re suppose to forgive,ya’ll.
She’s a fucking MONSTER. It DOES take a monster to do monstrous things. Hints the fact that someone would be called a monster.
I hope Susan Atkins is fucking burning up in hell. I hope she wails she’s sorry for the rest of eternity. I don’t even have words to describe the type of person she is. Demonistic fuck.
She’s a fucking MONSTER. It DOES take a monster to do monstrous things. Hints the fact that someone would be called a monster.
I hope Susan Atkins is fucking burning up in hell. I hope she wails in unimaginable agony that she’s sorry for the rest of eternity. I don’t even have words to describe the type of person she is. Demonistic fuck.
Susan Atkins should not have been able to stay alive as long as she did in the first place. If the bleeding heart U.S. Supreme Court hadn’t banned the death penalty back in ’72 as cruel and unusual punishment, she would have probably fried a long time ago. Therefore, she was lucky to have lived as long as she did, in or out of prison. Please keep in mind that Sharon Tate wasn’t provided with a final opportunity to spend time with or say farewell to her family before she was so brutally murdered. When you participate in such malicious acts of evil there should be no mercy imposed regardless of the person’s current health condition. Karma’s a bitch. And what a pity that the prosecutor, Vincent Bugliosi, has gone so soft over the years, or maybe soft in the head rather, in proclaiming that she should have been released due to her ailing state. Sorry, but life in prison was the sentence imposed, then the powers that be made the right decision in keeping her incarcerated.
I agree with Molls. They should have had a different reaction when she was wheeled in on the gurney at her parole hearing. They should have let Roman Polanski stab the dying bitch with a knife until she didn’t breathe anymore.
hahaha i soooooooooooo agree
but only after she had to watch her friends die horrible deaths as well… don’t forget that lasting image.
what sticks with me in this case is her statement about murdering sharon tate, that she begged for mercy, and susan atkins said something to the effect of “i have no mercy for you”. it is galling that atkins would even expect or ask for mercy from anyone else. she was and is beyond redemption.
i just reread this post again, and it just makes my blood boil. yes, molls, it *is* a shame that she was wheeled into a parole hearing, because she shouldn’t have even *had* the opportunity for a hearing.
Nice to see someone like Atkins spend her last days behind bars. Her niece argued a year ago that Atkins had paid her debt to society. Apparently, she didn’t know that some people spend forty years in prison for one murder, which means Atkins got off light. It’s something to see, a multiple killer hopping right over any time as a member of a congregation and declaring herself a spiritual leader. Wow, that’s a very impressive jump.
Looks like I won’t have to write to the Parole Board about Atkins again.
She cut Sharon Tate’s unborn child out of her womb.
Fuck Her!
she really, really didn’t. if you look at the autopsy photos, the truth is that her stomach is one of the few places they didn’t knife her.
http://www.members.tripod.com/~VanessaWest/tateautopsysheet.jpg
that’s a diagram – not a photo – for those who are squeamish.
still really deserved to die in prison, tho.
The real shame is that she repeatedly stabbed Sharon in the stomach, killing not only Sharon but also her un-born child. While I do believe in forgiveness for all, it wasn’t until recent times (the last decade) that Susan showed even a glimmer of remorse for the horrific crimes that she committed. Yes, she was brainwashed….yes, she was under the influence – well guess what “molls”….I have had plenty of friends who grew-up brainwashed by their parents religion and were high as a f-cking kite during the all of it, and guess what they never did?!?! That’s right – they never violently attacked a beloved, innocent, and pregnant woman. Molls – the shame is that you have a platform from which to sling your insanity….maybe EB needs to re-think her most recent hire. GEEZ!!!
She was sentenced to death; when the Supreme Court converted that to life in prison it should never have been “with parole possibilities”. It never should have required that Sharon Tate’s family, and the other’s families as well, relive the horror, over and over and over, just to keep Atkins and others in prison, especially since they SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. Seriously, molls, love your humor and insight, usually, but in THIS, you are WAY off base.
Rest in peace, Sharon, little one, and all the other victims of people thinking they have the right to choose how and when you cease to exist.
Godspeed.
Molls – I have spent the last few hours doing some research: reading, watching old press clips and interviews….maybe you should do the same. Susan Atkins more than deserved her fate. Not only did she committ horrific crimes against God, nature, and humanity – but 9 years later, she then denied them in an interview with Stan Atkinson….pinning all the blame on Tex Watson….claiming that God had held her hand back, leaving her unable to do any of the actual killing. She was a coward, a murderer, and liar. Cancer is not a get out of jail free card…and I can assure you that had it been one of your relatives that died at her hand, you would have fought tooth and nail to make sure that she fulfilled her sentence – life in prison.
I find it heartless of you to say that you see no value in keeping her in jail….I wonder if you would be able to say that to the faces of the those who lost their loved ones on the two horrible nights!? Truly Molls – SHAME SHAME SHAME on you. Watch the interview she did with Stan Atkinson when she refers to herself as a survivor and not guilty of actually committing murder…if it doesn’t send chills down your spin then let’s just say that you are definitely not the kind of person I ever want to share an elevator with. I honestly believe that your moral character is up for debate over your cold and thoughtless remarks.
Need a hug, Molls?
Shit Molls, I agree with you.
One thing no one else pointed out: 40 years ago life was very different than it is today. Hearing about a cult that cut up a pregnant woman was so shocking then, that there is no punishment, at that time, that could possibly fit the crime. I don’t want to hear that she was sick, brainwashed, on drugs, she found God, whatever. She didn’t even come close to getting what she deserved on this planet, and if she found God, God will decide what punishment she will or won’t get thru eternity. I don’t give a fuck about this woman, her cancer, her family, anything. I give the same compassion to her that she gave her victims. Zero.
Molls –
Yikes…..I was way way out of line with my comments last night. I am currently in the process of quitting smoking cigarettes and I allowed that to seep into my comments to you. I grew up near the place on the Manson murders (my parents got their marriage license at the court house they originally took Charles to when he was found in death valley) so I have always been highly charged in regard to these crimes. Molls – you are a fabulous writer with a great voice and I am truly sorry for the harsh and cruel comments I posted. I wish there was a way I could delete them. Just ignore douchebags like me!!!
You were right the first time. Anybody who either is old enough to remember this crime (I am) and/or researched it like you did will not find fault at your disgust over misguided sympathy for the devil.
I agree. Screw Atkins. May she rot in hell with Manson and the rest of his “followers”. They should have been given the death penalty as far as I am concerned. Sick bastards.
I wouldn’t mind knowing where she is buried. So I could piss on her grave. Fucking pig. I hope her last moments were excruciating and that she saw Sharon Tate’s face before she got sent to hell where she belongs.
It’s cases like this that make me wish they would enforce the death penalty once in a while… and this is coming from someone who is strongly against capital punishment… Waste of space!
Holy Cow! If you believe that it was so sad that she was wheeled in, and believe that she’s remorseful, and believe she should’ve been freed…then you probably would’ve believed Manson in the days…
Let’s get real. She’s a liar, a vicious, heartless murderer, and a monster. And I believe that she’s the devil’s new bitch.
Susan Atkins has probably received forgiveness, and maybe even from God. However, God has never said nor will He ever say that there are not consequences for any sin. I find it very odd that although she claimed to be a Christian, Susan and her former cohorts and their families have been tormenting the Tates and the other families for years and years with their never-ending, whining pleas to be let out of prison. These women’s selfish cruelty cannot be underestimated. If God had wanted any of them out of prison, they’d be out of prison, end of story. Furthermore, apologists for these women seem to somehow believe that Susan was lying naked in a cold wet dungeon throughout her illness. Really? Susan seemed to me to be well-cared for and in no pain during her last parole hearing. In truth, not a lot of faith in God has been displayed by Susan or the others. If they had faith, they would take their medicine and carry on. Let’s not forget they were originally sentenced to death–and were spared! Their subsequent behavior regarding parole is obscene.
I am happy justice was served…she spent her life in prison.
That was her sentence, cancer or not.
The only sad thing about this person was the gruesome acts they committed.
I hope she died a slow and painful death. The others are next. May they all rot in hell.
It is over now. She is dead. I feel she was given the appropriate punishment – life in prison, perpetually denied parole. She died in prison, and I am glad. I have conflicting feelings about “born again” prisoners – they want to escape hell, it would seem, so like the cons they are, they make those arrangements through the promise of Jesus. I believe in God, and Jesus dying for our sins, etc., and this issue I have just mentioned has always puzzled me – the motive for these criminals’ redemption efforts seems to be a self-serving one – not one of true remorse. According to my church, the reason doesn’t matter. Christ is just fulfilling his promise and the person is entitled to his forgiveness. I think this is just one of those unanswerable questions. I don’t think Atkins should escape hell. I wonder if she did?
I think susan was EXTREMELY fortunate to not only escape her deeds with her life when she was originally sentenced by a jury of her peers to die…but to eat, get a college degree, all for FREE, and in many ways live a MORE enriched life than others outside of prison who have never killed someone ever will! THAT is already more compassion than her behavior warranted. She should have thanked her lucky stars every day for that, and left it alone.
Number one, the infant was not cut out of Ms. Tate’s body. Number two, Susan Atkins over the years changed her story over and over again. She was in the Tate house, she fully participated in those brutal murders. She had a choice…to obey manson or tell him to go “f” himself. I guess for her it was easier to butcher people she did not even know. But for Atkins it is finally over. What her sentence is in eternity we won’t know until it is our turn to face God. I truly believe that she never should have been paroled. Ill or not. The courts were extremely lenient when they over turned the death penalty to life with the chance of parole. No guarantee of parole…but the right to apply. As for manson, excuse me, he shot Bernard Crowe intending to kill him. He sliced gary Hinmans face with a sword, he went to the Tate house after the murders to see what the killers had done, he tied up the LaBianca’s, he helped kill Shorty Shea…..and I would not doubt that he killed others we may never know about. None of the Manson gang should ever be released. And as much as I respect Kasabian for testifying, she too deserved prison time.