Do you think Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel should be paroled?
From what I have heard, Leslie Van Houten is truly remorseful, has completely turned her life around, and could be a contributing member of society. I’d say “yes” to her. Patricia Krenwinkel I have heard nothing about in terms of her efforts to “reform”, and Atkins, according to reports, hasn’t changed much.
This is a complicated legal and moral issue. First, let me say that I agree that Leslie should be paroled. Most people believe that Leslie was there during the Sharon Tate murders- she was not. I have SEVERAL reasons why she should be paroled, but I’m not going to list them all, as I don’t want to put anyone to sleep. Just saying “keep those murderers locked up” is an acknowledgement to not knowing much about Leslie’s involvement, nor about the case. Some of you may think that I support Manson or his beliefs right now, but let me say that I IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM CONDONE MANSON. The man is clearly a mental patient, with clear psychological disturbances. Here are some reasons that Leslie should be paroled. 1. A life sentence is 20 years- Leslie has spent nearly 40 years behind bars. Some are saying she was given the death penalty-which was originally true-however in 1977 she won a retrial and was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 7 years. THAT is the sentence she i
No, they should not be. They are only still alive by the good fortune of having their death sentences commuted to life in prison due to the repealing of the death penalty in California. Yes, all three have furthered their educations and apparently helped other inmates through the years. That’s great and commendable. However, it does not bring back the murdered victims, nor does it in any way help the surviving family/friends of those victims. Those lives were forever changed by what Atkins, Krenwinkel and Van Housen did. My opinion is that the three murderesses should live out their days in prison. I don’t see any justification for allowing them to be free.
I feel both Patricia and Leslie should be paroled. Not Susan though. I have watched the media coverage of this for many years and I see no potential danger to the society at large with Patricia or Leslie being released. For god’s sake or whatever higher power you refer to look around you. I am much more concerned with the revolving door that releases criminals that have not demonstrated ANY remorse. These two women, as horrid as what they did in 1969, have shown remorse and gave us all more insight into what was in play in their young lives at the time. They had the misfortune and subsequent lack of judgment to overcome the influences they were under. Disagree with me fine. Visit your local website for sexual offenders and let me know what your tolerance is for how close you want those types of folks to be to your home. Personally I have 49 sexual offenders listed within a two mile radius. I would prefer to have either Patricia or Leslie next door. If either of them were to stab me, we
From what I’ve read, Susan Atkins might not be a candidate for parole. The other two, Krenwinkle and Van Houten might be candidates for release. I saw them both on tv a couple of years ago, and they both appeared to be genuinely remorseful for what they did. They have both become educated as well. I think Leslie Van Houten will be released in the next 10-15 years (she was involved in 2 murders, not 7 like the others). Patricia Krenwinkle might be released in 15-20 years. They would both be elderly, and probably not a threat to anyone.
