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Photo: Charles Manson at Age 77, A Week Before His Next Parole Hearing
The infamous Charles Manson is now 77 years old, still serving out a life sentence, and a week away from another parole hearing.
The April 11, 2012 hearing marks Manson's 12th attempt at getting parole, and, considering how well the last 11 have gone, it's not likely he will be granted liberty. It's also not likely Manson will make an appearance; he has not been present at his own parole hearings in the past 15 years.
At the request of CNN, the Department of Corrections released a current photo of the convicted killer. He is seen with scraggly gray hair and beard, and the enduring swastika mark cut into his forehead.
"He looks a lot different," department of corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton told CNN.
The Manson Family killers, convicted in 1971 and initially put on death row until their sentences were commuted to life in prison when the death penalty was abolished in California, have not been successful by large at getting paroled. The most recently denied of the group was Charles "Tex" Watson,on his 14th attempt. Susan Atkins was denied a compassionate release, and died in prison in 2009.
More reading: Where are Manson's Children Now? (2007)
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