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Convicted killer and former Manson follower Susan Atkins was due for another parole hearing May 28th after being denied a compassionate release last year. According to Associated Press, the parole hearing was abruptly postponed until September.
The debate over Atkins' potential release has been raging. After all avenues to request compassionate release were exhausted, the bid for parole appeared to be Atkins' last chance at freedom. Last summer Atkins was given a year to live, so maybe it is just a matter of biding time.
Her lawyer husband doesn't know if the 61-year-old Atkins 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."