Susan Denise Atkins Dead
Susan Atkin’s is dead, she was 61, and had been suffering from terminal brain cancer for several years. On September 2nd her parole application was turned down by the California Board or Pardons and Paroles.
Susan died at 10:46 p.m. (CT) Thursday night at Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla where she had been housed since being transferred from the California Institution for Women in May 2008. I attempted to contact her husband, attorney James Whitehouse yesterday, left a message for him to return my call…he never did. Now I understand why…he was with Susan as he should have been.
I will be talking with Jim soon and will report to you our conversation. At the moment I suggest that all remember Jim in our thoughts and prayers. Jim loved Susan and this is all that matters.
Over the past few years Susan had under gone brain surgery, was 80% paralyzed and had a leg amputated. She had difficulty speaking and was unable to answer my last letter. Jim answered for her.
There is much more that needs to be said. I will talk to Jim Whitehouse and will post specifics.
My thanks goes to Chris, a loyal CRP Advisory Board member, for making me aware of Susan’s death. CRP has a professional Advisory Board and each does a great job in offering advise, criticism when needed and help that is vital to keeping CRP up and going.
There were mixed feelings as to the propriety of granting Susan a parole. She met the criteria in that she had served a significant amout of prison time, had an acceptable home plan and was definitely not a threat to society. Nevertheless, an unforgiving society overwelming demanded that she remain locked away. Society won…Susan is dead…she died in prison.