Parole hearing delayed for Tate killer
LOS ANGELES - Susan Atkins was expected to succumb to brain cancer months ago, but the former Charles Manson follower imprisoned for killing actress Sharon Tate nearly four decades ago still clings to life.
Now, a hearing that is perhaps her last chance at freedom has been abruptly put off until September.
Her lawyer husband doesn't know whether Atkins, 61, will make it. But that's fine with the family of Tate, among seven people killed by Manson followers in one of the most notorious murder cases of the 20th century.
"They all should live out their natural years in institutions," said Debra Tate, the younger sister of the slain actress. If they are released, she said, "I can't trust that they won't inspire other individuals to do similar acts."
It's been more than a year since doctors gave Atkins only a few months to live. She lost a bid for compassionate release from prison last July. Now, her parole hearing, initially scheduled for last week, has been delayed three months because board members were unavailable.
James W. Whitehouse said his wife has undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor, is paralyzed over most of her body, can't feed herself, and has lost most of her ability to speak.
The murders that made the cult infamous were discovered on Aug. 9, 1969, when a maid ran screaming from the home shared by Tate and her husband, director Roman Polanski.
Five people were killed in a ritualistic manner, including Tate, who was 8 1/2 months' pregnant. Atkins admitted stabbing Tate even as the actress begged for her life, claiming she and other cult followers acted on orders from Manson and were on LSD. 