Sharon Tate Killer Susan Atkins Denied Parole

In a unanimous decision yesterday the California Parole Board denied a request for compassionate release by convicted murderer Susan Atkins, now 60, and supposedly dying with three months to live:

The petition for Atkins' release ignited debate about what mercy is appropriate, particularly considering the grisly crimes for which she was convicted. With the rejection by the panel, the process is effectively over, making it highly likely that she will die in custody.

In opposing Atkins' release, some family members had to bring back painful memories. Pam Turner, a cousin of Sharon Tate, recalled the pregnant actress' return to the United States, and dreaming of helping her with her baby. Then she spoke about wanting to die after finding out that Tate and her unborn son had been stabbed to death.

"I was a child, but I was so sick with grief that I wished I too could die," Turner said, sobbing. She described how Tate's mother, her aunt, "howled like a wounded animal."

As to be expected, some leftwing loons are howling against this decision by the California Parole Board, arguing in part that Atkins was young and on drugs when she committed her heinous act, has served 37 years in jail, exhibited model behavior in prison, is in deteriorating health and is "no longer a threat to society". Of course, this kind of thinking is typical of so-called "progressives" who care more about the rights of criminals than the victims of violent acts and serves as yet another reminder of the damaging effect liberals are having on society as a whole. Then too, in displaying their compassion for Sharon Tate's killer, the loons fail to mention that most drug users don't join murderous gangs, Atkins didn't show any remorse for her deeds till after she was convicted, she murdered others besides Sharon Tate and she's outlived her victims by 40 years already. This isn't about revenge, this is about Susan Atkins serving a sentence commensurate to her crimes. Our criminal justice already has many serious flaws, releasing Susan Atkins our of jail would only add to the problem and it'd send a very dangerous precedent.