Legal Commentary

Dying, Paralyzed Amputee Susan Atkins Denied Parole

By Jeralyn

California's parole board yesterday denied parole for Susan Atkins. Atkins has served more than 40 years in prison for her role in the Sharon Tate/LaBianca murders. She has served more time than any other female inmate in California history.

She is dying of cancer, paralyzed and several years ago had a leg amputated. She's no threat to society. Susan Atkins was sentenced to life with parole -- not life without parole. They are not the same thing. [More...]

Parole boards have a duty to consider more than just the severity of the offense. Susan Atkins has had a model record of behavior while in prison. By only considering the heinousness of the crime, the parole board has usurped the power of the court and nullified her sentence, unilaterally changing it to life without parole.

I know it's too late, but as I've been saying for years, Free Susan Atkins. She wasn't sentenced to die in prison. And, while I'm at it, Leslie Van Houten should be freed too.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on September 03, 2009 (boomark / email).