According to the Associated Press, California's director of prisons is recommending that former Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins' request for a compassionate release be denied.
Officials at the Californian Institution for Women in Corona, where Atkins was housed from April 1971 until March, when she was transferred to a local hospital, recommended Atkins for early release due to medical reasons. Her attorney, Eric Lampel, has confirmed that Atkins has brain cancer and that doctors have given her two to three months to live. In addition, one of her legs has been amputated.
It is now up to the Board of Parole Hearings to conduct an investigation and make a recommendation. If the board decides to recommend Atkins for early release, the public will then have an opportunity to comment. After all of the recommendations are in, the final decision will be made by a judge in the original sentencing court in Los Angeles County.
It was reported by Press Enterprise, "Suzan Hubbard, director of the Division of Adult Institutions made her decision late Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would not disclose Hubbard's reasons for the recommendation against early release." Compassionate releases are relatively uncommon. Only 10 of the 60 requests made last year were granted, according to Thornton in an earlier statement.
The official press release states, "Shut up, bitch. You're going to die." Oops. Wrong quote. That one is from Susan Atkins to Sharon Tate.
