Anniversary: 45 Years Since the Manson Family Murders

[alcibiades_mystery]

On August 8, 1969, the crimes that would propel Charles Manson and his followers to international infamy took place, with the murders of actress Sharon Tate and her houseguests at her home in the Hollywood hills.

Earlier this week, the New York Times web-published a video of one of the convicted murderers, Patricia Krenwinkel, discussing her life in prison.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/05/opinion/my-life-after-manson.html

She is the longest serving female inmate currently in the California prison system. Having been convicted of seven first-degree murders, she was initially sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life (with the possibility of parole) when the death penalty was initially struck down in California and nation-wide.

Many of the comments in the NY Times piece are critical of the Times for running the piece of the longer documentary at all. What do you think, about the NY Times piece, their decision to run it, Ms. Krenwinkel, or the larger issues?

For my own part, I see the value in forgiveness, though I don't think Ms. Krenwinkel should be a candidate for parole. Of the primary co-defendants in the murders, she was the most culpable after Charles "Tex" Watson. However, other Manson-related prisoners I think should probably be paroled, and haven't been largely as a result of the case's notoriety (Robert Beausoleil and Leslie Van Houten in particular).

[Prophet 451]

1. I think "candidate for parole" is misleaqding

Contrary to popular belief, parole is not automatic and in cases like this, usually consists of the chairman saying "Lock her up for another ten years. All agreed?" and stamping the file.

That aside, she should never be released. While Manson's hold over teh Family has doubtless been broken by now, she was one of teh ringleaders in the murders.

All that said, my experience with her consists of reading three good books on the Family and a few extracts from teh case file that were used in my Forensic Psychology course.

[Sheldon Cooper]

2. I'm not sure if she should be paroled. Her crimes really were horrendous, in the truest

sense of the word.

But, if she is eligible for parole, how much more would an inmate have to do to prove they're worthy? I don't know the details of her prison record, but I believe she's behaved appropriately and tried to make the best of her situation. If we can't grant parole after 45 years to someone who has proven that she's been rehabilitated, why even have it at all? I don't believe she would be a danger to society in any way if she were to be released.

Having said that, I won't be having a candlelight vigil at the prison if she's not paroled.

[hifiguy]

3. From what I have seen and read over the years

Van Houten should probably be paroled at this point. Krenwinkel not so much.