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Susan Atkins: Manson follower dies in prison at 61
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by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | September 25, 2009 at 07:09 am
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Follower and "disciple" of Charles Manson, Susan Atkins , has died of brain cancer in a California prison at the age of 61.
Atkins took part in the infamous slaying of Sharon Tate, the pregnant actress and wife of film producer Roman Polanski, in the summer of 1969, on Cielo Drive in Los Angeles. Several other people were brutally blungeoned that night.
Atkins stood trial with Manson and other members of his "family" ; she received the death penalty which was commuted to a life sentence, and spent the rest of her life incarcerated.
She was married twice while in prison. Her husband at death was attorney James Whitehouse, whom she married in 1987. During her years of incarceration she became a Born-Again Christian and wrote a book about her experiences and conversion. Atkins was the longest imprisoned female inmate in the California corrections system.
Atkins, 61, was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. The disease spread and Atkins, whose left leg was subsequently amputated, was paralyzed over most of her body by the time she died.She was wheeled into the parole hearing on a gurney Sept. 2, her head covered in a pink and purple knitted cap. The cross she once carved into her forehead as a sign of loyalty to Manson was no longer visible.
Her face bloated, Atkins slept through most of the hearing, but spoke a few words of the Bible's Psalm 23, chiming in when cued by her husband and attorney James Whitehouse.
Atkins' family had pleaded with the parole board to show her mercy and let her die at home. But hearing officials cited the "atrocious" and "dispassionate" nature of the murders committed in 1969.
Atkins was one of five people convicted of the murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in a two-night murder spree ordered by cult-leader Manson.
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Susan Marie Kovalinsky
Ledgewood, New Jersey, United States
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (21)
at 08:43 on September 25th, 2009
sara, I'm curious as to whether or not you would feel the same way after reading the last paragraph of NowPublic author jordan's story published earlier Susan Atkins Death: Susan Atkins Dies at 61.
at 09:05 on September 25th, 2009
Source: google.com"
Said earlier in life apparently. She made amends at the end finding 'redemption' in Christianity.
at 09:08 on September 25th, 2009
Thanks, sara. I did mention that she found 'redemption' in Christianity.
at 09:00 on September 25th, 2009
They would not let Susan go home to die. But she did go Home to live.
at 09:09 on September 25th, 2009
Rhonda, she was a kid still under the influence of Manson when she said that.Many years ago she rejected Manson and his evil and accepted Jesus as her Saviour.Susan paid her debt to society. Her penalty for her crimes was Life in Prison. She has now died in prison, and there is no more penalty to pay.Now, if God is so gracious to give the free gift of Eternal Life to Susan, how about you? No sin you have committed can be as horrendous as Susan's. He can forgive you, too.What are you waiting for?
at 16:00 on September 25th, 2009
SpaceRat (not verified):
JEEZ!
at 09:17 on September 25th, 2009
That evil crew not only stabbed and beat those people, they painted the walls with their blood. They went on to terrify the Los Angeles area and forever changed the society there. If Susan Atkins truly 'found God' in her later years then she has gone on to glory. It seems to be a recurring theme with convicted killers that they conveniently 'find God' and they should be forgiven their horrible crimes.
at 12:17 on September 25th, 2009
Yes in researching them for my other piece, I found quite a few Manson family members that said that. Curious I thought...
at 12:14 on September 25th, 2009
SpaceRat, please do not assume to know what I am thinking or why I am questioning:)! Thanks!
at 09:22 on September 25th, 2009
SpaceRat, I also find it improper to make assumptions about one's religious beliefs:) Thanks!
at 10:52 on September 25th, 2009
Many innocents do not get to die at home at the hands of those that torture them to death.
She paid the price with brain cancer.
at 12:17 on September 25th, 2009
Had they not had a moratorium on the death penalty in California and her sentence reduced to life, she would have been executed. After her testimony and her actions when her victims begged her, she really didn't deserve any better. Society didn't kill her, in fact society gave her expensive medical treatment. So I disagree that society did the same thing to her. I don.t understand the statement that society did the same thing as they did.
at 14:07 on September 25th, 2009
Yeah, she wrote 'pig' on the door of the house in Sharon Tate's blood - she really didn't deserve any better I agree.
at 12:05 on September 25th, 2009
I'm glad she didn't get out - I don't care if that's a cold hearted thing to say - I just can't feel any remorse for her.
at 15:55 on September 25th, 2009
Sexie Sadie . . .look what you've done!
at 07:01 on September 29th, 2009
THE MESSAGE BEHIND CHRISTIANTY IS : LOVE THY NEIGHBOR,TURN THE OTHER CHEECK, FORGIVENESS AND GOD IS LOVE,SUSAN WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, WHO GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE CRAZINESS OF TH 60'S. AND WITH CHARLES MANSON, WHO WAS AN OLDER CON WITH MANIPULATIVE SKILLS WHO BRAIN WASHED THESE KIDS. I SURE WOULDNT WANT MANSON OUT O JAIL, BUT AS TO SUSAN,WHO WAS DYING, I THINK A COMPASSIONTE RELEASE WAS DUE. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CHRISTIAN THING TO DO. AS THE OLD SAYING GOES, 2 WRONGS DONT MAKE A RIGHT