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July 20.

STATE GIVES IN TO PUBLIC OUTCRY AGAINST ATKINS RELEASE

The Press Enterprise Decision is Not Final Though

By BRIAN ROKOS

The director of the state's adult prisons has recommended that the terminally ill Manson follower who killed actress Sharon Tate almost 40 years ago not be freed under the state's compassionate release program.

Suzan Hubbard, director of the Division of Adult Institutions, made her decision late Wednesday, said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Thornton said she could not disclose Hubbard's reasons because of confidential information in the case file.

Officials at the California Institution for Women near Corona had recommended that Susan Atkins, 60, be released because she meets the criteria of having less than six months to live, no longer posing a threat and having family to support her. Atkins has brain cancer. Her attorney, Eric Lampel, has said doctors have given her two to three months to live.

Hubbard weighed "all relevant information," Thornton said. That could have included the potential to reoffend, the possible effect on victims and their families, and letters from the public.

Hubbard's recommendation, however, is not the last word.

The case now goes to the state Board of Parole Hearings, which will conduct an investigation and make recommendations. The board is scheduled to meet July 15, and if it takes up Atkins' case, the public will be invited to comment. After that, the case will go to the original sentencing court in Los Angeles County, where a judge's decision would be final.

The Inland prison officials' bid to free Atkins has fueled a public outcry.

Tate, who was pregnant, and four others were murdered Aug. 9, 1969, at the actress's home.

During a 1969 summer killing spree, the members of the Charles Manson family cult killed eight people, and Atkins was convicted for her role. She has been imprisoned for 37 years.

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July 19.

SUSAN ATKINS POSSIBLE RELEASE FUELS PUBLIC OUTCRY

The Press Enterprise Victims Family Members Outraged

By PAIGE AUSTIN

No matter what the head of the department of corrections rules on Manson family member Susan Atkins' bid for compassionate release, the public will be able to weigh in at a hearing if she lives that long. Prison officials at the California Institution for Women near Corona have recommended to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that she be given compassionate release because she has less than six months to live and no longer poses a threat to society. The department of corrections is reviewing her case, but regardless of its decision, the California Board of Parole will consider the matter at a public hearing, said corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton.

Atkins, 60, may not live that long.

The board will meet July 15, but it remains unclear if it will take up her case that soon.

Atkins underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor and has been hospitalized since March. However, the growth could not be fully removed, said her attorney Eric Lampel. "The doctors have given her two to three months to live. It's important to note that she didn't ask for compassionate release. Her doctors did, and the prison recommended it," Lampel said. "Even if her release was granted, she probably won't ever leave her hospital room."

California's longest serving female prisoner to be considered for compassionate release, Atkins' case has fueled public outcry and put the state's compassionate release law to the test.

"These murders were awful, and even though it's been about 40 years, the murders left a lasting impact," said Thornton, the corrections spokeswoman. "I know that people feel very, very strongly about this, but what they need to understand is that this is a legal issue. She meets the criteria (for compassionate release) under the law."

Compassionate Release

Recent years have seen a trend in expanding the scope of compassionate release, which is generally used to release terminally ill inmates -- not including those on death row. Last year, California lawmakers expanded it to include the medically and permanently incapacitated.

Eligible inmates include those with less than six months to live as well as inmates in a coma or persistent vegetative state, Thornton said. Though the most infamous, Atkins is not the first killer recommended for compassionate release in California. In 2003, Vidilla Spragin, a 71-year-old San Bernardino woman who killed her husband by setting him on fire, was released due to terminal liver cancer. She survived three months after her release.

Thornton, the corrections spokeswoman, said that members of the public and worldwide media have been calling about the Atkins case since news of the recommended compassionate release broke last week. "Any kind of discussion about compassionate release is a good thing," said Karen Shain, co-director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, an inmate advocacy group. "I think what keeps terminally ill inmates in prison is a lack of political will. Politicians don't want to be perceived as soft on crime, but with the incredible cost to the state and with the budget in such bad shape, I can't think of a single reason to keep dying inmates incarcerated."

The Murders

San Bernardino resident Dan Sainte-Claire was 19 when the Manson family killing spree shocked the nation.

A family friend, Jay Sebring, was one of five people killed along with Sharon Tate at the pregnant actress' home in Benedict Canyon. Atkins, infamously held Tate down during the murder, denied her pleas for mercy, tasted her blood and used it to write on the wall."I don't think they should ever let her out," Sainte-Claire said. "That would mean you could be rehabilitated for murder, and I don't think that's true. I don't think there is anything you can do to buy a life back."

During a 1969 summer killing spree, the members of the Charles Manson family cult killed eight people, and Atkins was convicted for her role in the eight murders. Atkins has been imprisoned for 37 years and denied parole 12 times.

In the prison, she said she found faith and taught anger management to other prisoners. Lampel, her attorney, plans to present to the parole board a letter from the mother of a 19-year-old inmate who credits Atkins for saving her suicidal daughter. It was Atkins who told police about the Manson family murders and testified against Manson in front of a grand jury before recanting after he threatened the life of her 1-year-old son, who was in the care of the Manson family at the time, Lampel said. "A lot of people are never going to want her to come out. They think she should be put to death and deserves cancer, but that is just hateful," Lampel said.

Since she has been hospitalized, Atkins has received visits from her brother and husband. Her speech impaired by the tumor, she was able to tell her husband that she loves him very much, Lampel said.

"She is remorseful, and she doesn't expect everyone to forgive her," he said. "But she has done everything she can every day of her life to atone."

Compassionate Release

Since 1991, 948 prisoners have sought compassionate release. Of those, 289 were granted release. In 120 of the cases, the request was dropped because the inmate died, withdrew the request or improved. Releases spiked to 41 in 1996. TEN inmates were released last year. There have been two so far this year.

Recent Inland Empire

Compassionate Releases

In 2003, Vidilla Spragin, a 71-year-old San Bernardino woman who killed her husband by setting him on fire, was released due to terminal liver cancer. She survived three months after her release.

In 2004, Lonnie Creech, who was convicted of assaulting an officer, was released from the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco to die of lung cancer with family in Riverside.

Click HERE to visit the www.tatefamilylegacy.com website

if you wan to object to Susan’s release.

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June 16.

SUSAN ATKINS INTERVIEWED ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA

ABC News Excerpts from 2002 Interview with Dianne Sawyer

James Whitehouse was interviewed today on Good Morning America. The interview was conducted earlier this week and is the first television interview he has ever given in relation to his wife. Dianne Sawyer also interviewed Susan Atkins but a file interview from 2002 was used when Sawyer visited Atkins at the California Institution for Women. Susan was not able to participate in the segment this time because of her health and for security reasons. She is still in a hospital confined to a bed, under strict security.

Doctors have told Atkins, now 60, she has six months to live, and she and her family are asking the corrections department for a "compassionate release."

"It's ridiculous to continue to pay millions of dollars to keep her in custody when she can't even sit up in bed," says Atkins' husband, James Whitehouse.

Atkins has been incarcerated at the California Institution for Women at Corona for 37 years – longer than any other female inmate in state history — and denied parole 11 times. Atkins told Diane Sawyer in a 2002 interview that she still hoped she would someday be released. "I would like to be out some day. I hope to be out some day. And it's amazing that I still have hope. I don't know about expectations anymore," Atkins said.

Atkins declined to be interviewed in 1993 when Dianne Sawyer visited CIW to interview Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel for the top rated premiere broadcast of Turning Point. Susan welcomed the opportunity in 2002 when she was offered again to go on camera after she had filed a law suit against then governor Gray Davis and the Board of Prison Terms. I did not see that original interview at that time but if anyone has it, please let us know. We will make a handsome trade for it.

Good Morning America Today

Read ABC article HERE!

Another article HERE!

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June 16.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DEBORAH FRASER

Exclusive!! Atkins Former Attorney (1988-1995)

I spoke with Deborah Fraser a few months ago and asked her to share her insights about the time she was representing Susan Atkins at the parole hearings in the late 80's and early 90's. She was gracious enough to answer some of my questions and share her memories about her involvement with the case. Fraser was a young trial attorney who had participated in over 20 jury trials at the time she was appointed to represent Susan. She appeared on several talk shows including Maury Powich and Geraldo Rivera and gave interviews on several news shows and was very involved with the case. She represented Susan at her 1988, 1989 and 1993 parole hearing.

Deborah and Susan became good friends and Deborah really believed in Susan and did everything she could to help her. She even hired a private detective to locate Susan's son at her request. She also developed a relationship with Bill Nelson which turned sour, visited the Tate and LaBianca houses, Spahn Ranch and Barker and Meyers Ranches in Death Valley. At the time of Susan's 1996 parole hearing, Deborah had moved to the east coast and another public defender was appointed to represent her at that time.

Today, Deborah has retired from practicing law and is working as a professional chef in Oregon. She told me she had a great life today and does not stay in touch with Susan Atkins. Debra is a very colorful personality and a great woman.

Too read the interview and conversation, click HERE!

Too watch Deborah's appearance on the Maury Powich show,

Part 1 HERE! Part 2 HERE! Part 3 HERE! Part 4 HERE!

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June 16.

POLANSKI "UATHORIZED" TRAILER, FILMING COMPLETE

Amadeus Pictures Tate murders re-enacted in the film

Coming Soon!

CASTING:

Damian Chapa Roman Polanski

Elena Talan Mia Farrow

Silvia Sulvadova Bula Polanski

Brienne De Beau Sharon Tate

Robert McAtee Hugh Hefner

Charles Power Frank Sinatra

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June 15.

DEBRA TATE GIVES FALSE INFORMATION TO REPORTERS

Debra Tate was interviewed by Los Angeles veteran reporter Mark Cogan for the story on Susan Atkins' latest condition. It aired on KCBS and KCAL9 a few days ago. Debra was objecting to the plans to release Susan Atkins to go home and die with her family. She claimed Susan "said she didn't give hoot about Sharon and her unborn baby and then she slit her throat." She gave this same quote to Paige Austin from the Press Enterprise, "She showed no compassion. She told my sister as she slit her throat that she didn't (care) for her or her unborn baby,"

The video in question

I ask this: Why is Debra claiming that Susan slit Sharon's throat. Debra herself has viewed all the crime scene photos, autopsy and police reports relating to this case. She knows very well that Sharon's throat bore no cuts. When a person alters the facts to forward their agenda, it only makes them look bad and desperate. I am not pushing for Susan Atkins, in any way. If she were not dying she should definitely live out the rest of her days in prison but I tend to agree with Vincent Bugliosi that she should be allowed to die with her family, the woman is dying, is on pain meds and has had one of her legs amputated. I mean, by December, she will be dead. It's not like the general public is going to run into Susan Atkins at the local supermarket, the woman is dying and confined to a bed.

To quote Geraldo Rivera on what he had to say about Susan "What difference does it make where she dies."

I have complete respect for Debra as a victim but all these lies only damage her credibility and ultimate goal. BTW: Why did she say in that recent documentary and on Fox News that Sharon Tate was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the Valley of The Dolls. She knows very well that it is not true, Sharon was nominated for an Emmy Award for best newcomer.

In 1977, Charles Tex Watson came forward and explained that he alone was the one who stabbed Sharon Tate. Susan Atkins did guard her and held her down while Watson stabbed her. This has been a known fact for many years. Is Susan just as guilty of murder, YES! But did she stab Sharon Tate to death, NO! Did Susan say cruel and heartless things to Sharon before she was killed, YES! Did she go to the Polanski residence with the intent that everyone be killed before they left, YES! In 1981, Susan Atkins underwent a polygraph examination to determine the extent of her participation. Although parts of the examination came out inconclusive, the examiner was able to establish that Susan did not inflict any wounds to Sharon.

Let's stick to the facts in this case and not exaggerate and somehow make it look worse. It was bad enough. The parole board and the CDC will have a hard time enough to grant this compassionate release to Atkins. Debra has a tendency to exaggerate and tell blatant lies to further her agenda.

I agree with Vincent Bugliosi who had this to say, "I don't have any objection to her being released under these circumstances. She has paid substantially though not completely for her horrendous crimes. Paying completely would be imposing the death penalty." That is for those who support the death penalty. In my eyes it would be life imprisonment. Bugliosi added "But cancer has become another kind of death sentence," he said noting that she has already had a leg amputated."

Susan Atkins at Los Banos High School. Yearbook photos.

Read more about Susan HERE!, HERE! and HERE!

Story by veteran reporter & AP Special correspondent Linda Deutsch HERE!

Read Susan Atkins' many parole hearing transcripts HERE!

Visit Debra's website to write a letter and object to her release from prison, click HERE!

Our condolences go out to Susan's husband and family, her brother Steven and his family during this difficult time in their lives. I know that many people are praying for them.

It should not be surprising that Susan was diagnosed with terminal cancer since science has determined it to be genetic. Susan's mother Jeanette died very young of cancer, she was only in her mid 40's and Susan was only 14 years old. Mr. Atkins also died of cancer in 1981 after he had re-married. Susan had re-connected with her father in the late 70's after being estranged for many years. I heard a rumour recently that Susan's older brother Michael also died of cancer a few years ago although I have not been able to confirm this.

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June 13.

SUSAN ATKINS BEING CONSIDERED FOR "COMPASSIONATE" RELEASE

The Press-Enterprise Had One Leg Amputated - Less Than 6 Months to Live

By PAIGE AUSTIN

The Manson family girl who helped stab Sharon Tate 16 times almost 40 years ago, refusing the pregnant actress' pleas for mercy, could soon be freed from prison.

Terminally ill Susan Atkins is being considered for "compassionate release," said state Department of Corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton.

The Corrections Department is reviewing the request, and, ultimately, a state sentencing court would have the final say, Thornton said. It is a process that could take more than a month.

Atkins, 60, is being held at the California Institution for Women near Corona while being treated at a local hospital. State officials have declined to disclose the nature of her illness. "I don't want to seem like a heartless creature, but in all my years, I never considered this could happen," said Debra Tate, the actress' sister and only surviving relative. "This is a serial killer and what kind of mercy did she show her victims? When you torture someone, you have no compassion. How do you ask others to give it to you? It is her duty, in order to pay for her crimes, to die in prison

Atkins, 60, is being held at the California Institution for Women near Corona while being treated at a local hospital. State officials have declined to disclose the nature of her illness.

"I don't want to seem like a heartless creature, but in all my years, I never considered this could happen," said Debra Tate, the actress' sister and only surviving relative. "This is a serial killer and what kind of mercy did she show her victims? When you torture someone, you have no compassion. How do you ask others to give it to you? It is her duty, in order to pay for her crimes, to die in prison."

James W. Whitehouse, Atkins' husband and attorney, did not return calls for comment Thursday.

Compassionate releases are rare -- only 16 percent of requests in 2007 were granted.

Under state law, terminally ill inmates can be considered for early release so they can die with and at the expense of loved ones. Dying inmates must meet certain criteria, Thornton said. They must have six months or less to live and must not to be a threat to society, she said. They must also have committed family members willing and able to care for them.

In 2007, requests were submitted for 60 dying inmates, and prison officials recommended only 29 of those be freed, said Thornton. Of those 29, the state recommended 20 be released, she said. In the end, sentencing court judges approved the release of 10 terminally ill prisoners.

A diagnosis and evaluation of Atkins was conducted by prison officials, who concluded she met the requirements, Thornton said. If the Corrections Department recommends compassionate release, the Board of Parole would review the request and could recommend it to a sentencing court. The Board of Parole is next scheduled to meet July 15, the soonest the board could review the matter, said Thornton.