Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins dies

[agzg]

I'm not saying she didn't deserve life in prison or even the death penalty (although I hesitate to say that anyone deserves the death penalty), but it seems like you folks are denying that her life had any value whatsoever, when even the victims' families admitted that she had done good works while in prison.

During the roughly six-hour-long hearing, Debra Tate asked the board commissioners not to free Atkins.

"There has never been any hate in my heart for these people," she said. "I am incapable of hating. I commend them -- always have commended them -- for their good deeds that they have managed to accomplish within the walls of confinement. However, I do believe that the death of my sister, my nephew -- which would be turning 40 years old right now, this week -- is not an irrelevant cause."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/25/...manson.atkins/

In prison, Atkins embraced Christianity and apologized for her role in the crimes. Prison staff endorsed her release at a hearing in 2005, but she was denied parole for the 13th time.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituari...2.story?page=1

For what it's worth, the apologized part is conflicting other reports - the Tate family denies that she ever apologized to them.

I'm not saying that she didn't live a very depraved and horrible life, for the most part, but I'm not sure people are thinking about the fact that Charles Manson brainwashed and pretty much controlled an entire group of people who would do ANYTHING for him, even kill. Yes, they are ultimately responsible for their actions, but no one at this point is talking about the culpability that Manson holds in her fate.

Did she commit a horrible crime? Yes. Did she deserve to be punished? Yes. But, if one believes in God, she's in God's hands now, and it's no longer society's place to condemn her. Cancer, especially brain cancer, is a horrible experience, and I wouldn't wish it on even my worst enemy. Also, I wouldn't wish the experience of moving on after surviving someone who passed due to cancer, even if they're in prison.

I feel bad for her husband and child. I'm sure they're going through a pretty rough time. I feel bad for her victims' families as well, it seems that they've never gotten full closure and I'm sure they're doing some mourning of their own as well.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by agzg

But, if one believes in God, she's in God's hands now, and it's no longer society's place to condemn her. Cancer, especially brain cancer, is a horrible experience, and I wouldn't wish it on even my worst enemy. Also, I wouldn't wish the experience of moving on after surviving someone who passed due to cancer, even if they're in prison.

I feel bad for her husband and child. I'm sure they're going through a pretty rough time.

I agree. As much as I wanna think that the cancer was her payback, I would never wish cancer on anyone.

I hope for her sake, that her turn to Christianity wasn't fake, or to show that she somehow changed in prison. If she truly did, then hey if God can forgive her, then so can I (but idk how i would feel if it was my family member she murdered).

Did she really have a husband? Were they married before she went to prison or after? That's random, I never knew that.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by epchick

I agree. As much as I wanna think that the cancer was her payback, I would never wish cancer on anyone.

I hope for her sake, that her turn to Christianity wasn't fake, or to show that she somehow changed in prison. If she truly did, then hey if God can forgive her, then so can I (but idk how i would feel if it was my family member she murdered).

Did she really have a husband? Were they married before she went to prison or after? That's random, I never knew that.

She was married twice while in prison.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by agzg

She was married twice while in prison.

Interesting. The more you know.... lol

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by agzg

She was married twice while in prison.

And the second time was to her Harvard-graduate lawyer.

[33girl]

I don't believe ANY of the Manson followers/killers are sorry - look in their eyes when you see them at parole hearings. I still can't believe they let Squeaky Fromme out when she is the most likely of anyone to keep on keepin' on with Charlie's mission, IMO.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

she came to Jesus during her time in prison.

Don't they all?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otm7IFhwDQ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DboP4gT3p_I

Originally Posted by Kappamd

And the second time was to her Harvard-graduate lawyer.

Right, that's why I was too.

Originally Posted by 33girl

I don't believe ANY of the Manson followers/killers are sorry - look in their eyes when you see them at parole hearings. I still can't believe they let Squeaky Fromme out when she is the most likely of anyone to keep on keepin' on with Charlie's mission, IMO.

I agree. I mean, I do believe anyone can come to Chirst because He knows the heart. I just think these monsters only use Christ so they can get out of of prison. Let them out, and I would bet everything I worked hard for that they would use drugs and murder again and again. Susan Atkins was a practicing devil worshiper, and she was also Manson's closest aide. She studied Satanism and even convinced Charles Manson himself that his name was significant. In her sick, twisted logic, she told him it meant "Man-Son" or "Son of Man", or "Christ". She also told him he's the devil too. Which is why Charles Manson (to this very day) believes he's Jesus Christ and the devil too. And let me add, all of Charles Manson's sick, sadistic teachings to his followers came from the Beatles White Album. And she now calls herself a "born again Christian?"....whatever. And for the greekchat members who believe this sick monster is sincere in her apologies, I know that if it was one of your loved ones who she stabbed 16 times, tasted their blood, and wrote on the wall "Political Piggies" or "Pigs" or "Healter Skelter" (as she spelled it) you would be singing a different tune. I'm with you 33girl.

[33girl]

Just to clarify that Beatles reference, he twisted their lyrics - they have gone on record countless times saying so. Helter Skelter is a plain old just make it loud song, for pity's sake. (Not to mention spelling it wrong on the wall.) I didn't think you were saying otherwise but I'm sensitive where my boys are concerned. So not only is Charlie a freak, he's an unoriginal freak.