Susan Atkins… a member of Charles Manson’s “family” who was later convicted of murdering seven people in their horrific 1969 killing spree… has died in a California prison aged 61.
Atkins who had been terminally ill with brain cancer and had a request for compassionate release denied on September 2… died of natural causes late on Thursday at the Central California Women’s Facility.
The former Manson disciple was one of the most notorious members of the cult and admitted stabbing to death actress Sharon Tate eight months pregnant with husband Roman Polanski’s child as she begged for her life.
Atkins later said she had stabbed Tate because she was “sick of listening to her pleading and begging… begging and pleading… After stabbing Tate… Atkins used the actress’s blood to write “PIG” on the home’s front door
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Atkins was sentenced to death after being found guilty of seven counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to murder… Her death sentence was commuted to life in 1972 when California’s Supreme Court overturned the death penalty.
Manson portrayed at his trial as a drug-crazed loner with mesmerising powers of persuasion… ordered devotees to carry out random killings in wealthy white neighbourhoods in an effort to trigger an apocalyptic race war.
Manson 74 …and three other members of his sect convicted of murder remain in prison.
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September 26, 2009 at 9:04 am