Parole for Susan Atkins?
Susan Atkins, a/k/a Sadie Mae Glutz, is a Charles Manson family member and is the member responsible for the horrible murder of actress Sharon Tate. In fact, Atkins stabbed Ms. Tate to death while Ms. Tate begged for the life of her unborn baby. She was 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time of her death. Atkins, at the time said, “it was a trip.”
Now, according to James Whitehouse, Susan’s younger attorney husband, she is terminally ill with brain cancer; 80% paralyzed, cannot walk, write and can barely sit up. She is confined to a specialized nursing home.
Is a parole proper for Susan Atkins? Most say “No,” but many say “Yes.” What is your opinion? First, you must decide the purpose of being in prison: rehabilitation, punishment or protection of society? Each of these three has been used to describe the purpose of incarceration.
Jim Whitehouse has ask Criminology Research Project, Inc., to conduct a survey to assist in determining how mainstream America feels toward parole for his wife.
It must be pointed out that the State of California is in a financial crisis and is issuing “IOU’s” rather than paying it’s bills. Susan’s care and security, alone, is costing the state almost $2,000,000 annually.
Parole is generally considered when three situations are present: an inmate’s having served a lengthy period of time in prison, a well planned home plan and is no longer a threat to society.
The prosecuting District Attorney has gone on record as saying he does not anticipate on attempting to block Ms. Atkin’s parole request.
Of the many questions that I am asked about various crimes, the Manson murders are, by far, the most frequent. They were, no doubt, among the most brutal of any that I have ever studied.
I ask that you give your opinion as to the propriety of paroling Susan Atkins. I will present my findings to Mr. Whitehouse the first of September.
I will not express my opinion as I don’t want to sway a single person from expressing a true and accurate opinion of their own.
It must be remembered that Ms. Atkin’s originally got the death penalty. The State of California, however, overturned capital punishment and everyone on it’s death row was commuted to straight life. Some feel this was Susan’s break and that she does not deserve another. I will not argue this point.
Many books, the most famous, Helter Skelter, have been written about the Manson murders. Movies and web sites abound.
What is your opinion? Your comment or comments, please.