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Susan Atkins during the trial.

Susan Denise Atkins (born May 7, 1948) is an American who has been imprisoned in the State of California in punishment for her conviction along with Charles Manson and several others for a series of murders often called the "Manson murders", among which the most notorious are the "Tate/LaBianca" murders. In the space of five weeks in the summer of 1969, nine people were murdered at four locations. She was convicted of involvement in eight of these killings. Atkins's sentence is seven years to life (she is eligible to apply for release on parole). She has been incarcerated since October 1, 1969, longer than any other woman in California history.^[1] Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links SusieQ.JPG Suzi Quatro Album Cover This image is of a music album or single cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced the music or artwork in question. ... Image File history File links SusieQ.JPG Suzi Quatro Album Cover This image is of a music album or single cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced the music or artwork in question. ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Charles Milles Manson (born November 12, 1934) was the leader of what came to be known as the Manson Family, a commune that is often termed a cult and that began to form around him in the U.S. city of San Francisco in 1967. ...

Atkins has claimed over the years that her participation in the crimes led by Charles Manson was passive and that she didn't actually kill anyone. However, in her own statements regarding the crimes, she says that she fought with Voytek Frykowski and stabbed him in the legs and held Sharon Tate down while Tex Watson stabbed her. Wojciech Frykowski (December 22, 1936 - August 9, 1969) was a Polish born writer who was murdered in the home of Roman Polanski by members of the Charles Manson Family. His name is frequently misspelled Voytek Frykowski. ... Sharon Marie Tate (January 24, 1943 – August 9, 1969) was a Golden Globe-nominated American actress. ... Charles Denton Watson (born December 2, 1945 in Dallas, Texas), also known as Tex Watson, is an American murderer and former member of the Charles Manson Family. He was convicted of the murders of the famed movie-star Sharon Tate, Steven Parent, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Jay Sebring that...

Early life

Born in San Gabriel, California (greater Los Angeles), the middle child between two brothers, Atkins grew up in northern California, where she had a difficult childhood. Both of her parents, Edward and Jeanette, were alcoholics. Her mother died of cancer when Susan was fourteen years old. Over the next three years, her life was disrupted by the drawn out breakup of her family, frequent moves, and prematurely being compelled to earn her own living.^{[citation needed]} San Gabriel City Hall San Gabriel is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. ...

Up to the age of 14 she and her family lived in a middle class home in the Cambrian Park area of San Jose, California. She has been remembered as a self-conscious, quiet girl, a member of her school glee club and the local church choir. One fellow choir member later recalled, "She seemed to be able to assert her personality through singing in a way she couldn't in her daily life."^{[citation needed]}

In 1962 her mother became ill and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Two weeks before the mother went to the hospital for the final time, Susan arranged for members of the church choir to sing Christmas carols under her bedroom window. After Jeanette Atkins' death, relatives were asked to help look after Susan and her two brothers. But his wife's long illness was financially ruinous to Edward Atkins; he was left with huge bills and no money to meet them.^{[citation needed]}

Susan's father started drinking more heavily, and their relationship deteriorated. Her father has told a different story, one of a stable home, loving environment and a happy family life. But friends, neighbors, ministers, and teachers have concurred that Susan was constantly uprooted, frequently changing homes, schools, and friends as Mr. Atkins roamed around looking for work.^{[citation needed]}

Mr. Atkins eventually moved inland to the small town of Los Banos, California with Susan and her younger brother Steven. He found work on the San Luis Dam construction project and left the two children behind in town. Susan was forced to take a job during her junior year in school to support herself and Steven. A next door neighbor later said "Susan was a good kid who just needed some direction and someone who cared. She was left alone. There was no place to turn for help. We never had any trouble with her, although she would get despondent and break down and cry in my house."^{[citation needed]} Los Banos is a city in Merced County, California, near the junction of California State Route 152 and Interstate 5. ... San Luis Dam is a dam that creates San Luis Reservoir, which serves as an off-stream reservoir for the California State Water Project. ...

Susan had been an average student in Leigh High School in San Jose, but her grades deteriorated when she entered Los Banos High. She decided to drop out and get a full time job to support herself. Her grandparents didn't have room for both her and Steven; because Steven was younger, Susan was the one to go.^{[citation needed]}

Her older brother Michael had previously left home to join the navy. Susan dropped out of high school at eighteen and went to San Francisco, where she supported herself as a secretary, an office gofer, and for six months as even a topless dancer.^{[citation needed]} “San Francisco” redirects here. ...

It was during her time as a dancer that Atkins met Church of Satan founder Anton Szandor LaVey when the dancers at the club she was working at were hired for a stage production which featured her as a vampire. Though she was invited to Anton LaVey’s home, she asked and was allowed to leave when he told her that, like her, he believed in God, he just didn’t worship Him.^{[citation needed]} Satanism Associated organizations The Church of Satan First Satanic Church Prominent figures Anton LaVey | Blanche Barton | Peter H. Gilmore | Peggy Nadramia | Karla LaVey Associated concepts Left-Hand Path | Pentagonal Revisionism | Suitheism | Survival of the fittest | Might is Right Books and publications The Satanic Bible | The Satanic Rituals | The Satanic Witch... Anton Szandor LaVey (11 April 1930 - 29 October 1997), born Howard Stanton Levey, was the founder and High Priest of the Church of Satan, author of The Satanic Bible, and creator of the religion known as as LaVeyan Satanism. ...

In 1967, at the age of 19, she met Charles Manson when he came over to play guitar at the house where she was living with several friends. When the house was raided several weeks later by the police and she was left homeless, she was invited to join a group of people who were planning on traveling to Los Angeles on a summer road trip in a converted school bus they painted all black. She was given the nickname "Sadie Mae Glutz" by Manson and a man who was creating a fake ID for her at the time. Atkins later claimed to have believed Manson to be Jesus. The growing "Manson Family" settled at the Spahn Ranch in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California, where on October 7, 1968, she bore a son whom Manson named Zezozece Zadfrack. Manson, however, was not the father. Atkins' parental rights were terminated once she was convicted and no one in her family would take the child in. She has had no contact with her son since her incarceration in 1969. Her son was adopted by a couple and renamed "Paul".^{[citation needed]} This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... The Spahn Ranch is a a 500 acre ranch at 1200 Santa Susana Pass Road in the Santa Susana Mountains. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Hinman Murder: Prelude to the Tate/LaBianca Murders

During the summer of 1969, Charles Manson and his commune at Spahn’s Ranch were attracting the attention of the police, who suspected them of auto thefts and were suspicious of the high number of underage runaways. In an attempt to raise money to move away to the desert, Manson encouraged drug dealing. It appears a botched drug "burn" (swindle) by Manson "Family" member Charles "Tex" Watson led Manson to confront and shoot a man by the name of Bernard "Lotsapapa" Crowe. Manson believed he had killed Crowe, and he further believed Crowe to be a Black Panther. Neither was true.^[2] Nonetheless, Manson feared retaliation from the Black Panthers and pressured his followers for more money. Possibly Manson was functioning under a mental state of hysteria and paranoia engendered by extensive drug use. During this time someone suggested that an old friend, Gary Hinman, had just inherited a large sum of money. Manson hoped Hinman could be induced into joining the commune and contributing his purported new inheritance.^{[citation needed]} Charles Denton Watson (born December 2, 1945 in Dallas, Texas), also known as Tex Watson, is an American murderer and former member of the Charles Manson Family. He was convicted of the murders of the famed movie-star Sharon Tate, Steven Parent, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Jay Sebring that...

Manson sent three people to meet with Hinman on July 25, 1969: Atkins, Bobby Beausoleil, and Mary Brunner. Atkins claimed she didn’t know a crime was going to take place, a claim the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office accepted in a plea agreement it made with her.^{[citation needed]} Robert Kenneth Bobby Beausoleil (born 6 November 1947, in Santa Barbara, California), was a member of the Charles Manson Family who was convicted of killing music teacher Gary Hinman on July 25, 1969. ... Mary Brunner in a 1969 mugshot. ...

When Gary Hinman insisted he hadn’t inherited any money (records confirm he hadn't), Beausoleil (apparently on Manson’s orders) beat him severely. When even this didn’t change Gary’s story, Manson himself showed up and became so infuriated he took a swing at Gary’s head with a sword, slicing his face and severely cutting his ear. Manson directed Atkins and Brunner to stay behind and tend to Gary’s wounds. Two days later, and after a phone call from Manson, Beausoleil had Hinman sign over the registrations to his cars and then killed him. Apparently also on Manson’s command, Beausoleil left a bloody handprint on the wall along with vaguely revolutionary words the culprits supposed would implicate the Black Panthers. It is assumed this was to both misdirect the police and put "heat" on the Panthers which might distract them from seeking revenge on Manson for the Crowe killing.^{[citation needed]}

Manson, apparently doubting the effectiveness of these precautions, left Spahn’s Ranch and established an alibi. This lack of confidence spooked Beausoleil^{[citation needed]}, who took off in Gary Hinman’s car and drove to northern California. Unfortunately for him, he stopped to sleep on the side of the road, where the police found him. They ran the car's license number. Having gotten Hinman to sign over the vehicle's ownership might have saved Beausoleil, except that he was still wearing the same clothing -- now blood spattered -- as he had had on during the crime. Moreover, he had the murder weapon hidden in the tire well of the car's trunk. He was arrested and transferred back to Los Angeles.^{[citation needed]}

Manson feared Beausoleil would make a bargain with the police and implicate him. Manson also feared if he was arrested the Black Panthers would find him and kill him.^{[citation needed]}

Manson sent messengers to Beausoleil telling him Manson would take care of things.^[3] He then sent Mary Brunner and Catherine Share to buy rope, apparently for an escape attempt. Both were arrested for using a stolen credit card.^{[citation needed]}

It was at this point that Manson began planning additional murders.^{[citation needed]}

Motives for The Tate/LaBianca Murders

At trial, the prosecution stated Manson's desire to start Helter Skelter was the motive for the crimes. Helter Skelter was the name of a Beatles song that Manson used to describe a race war between blacks and whites. Initially, Manson told the group that during this war, they would hide in a hole in the desert, and would emerge when the war was over. The blacks would win the war, but would be unable to govern and would turn to Manson. In the weeks prior to the murders, Manson began to say that the war wasn't starting fast enough and the group would have to start it by murdering wealthy white people. As evidence for this motive, several witnesses testified to Manson's statements regarding Helter Skelter and his obsession with the Beatles' music, and the individuals convicted for the murders have testified at various parole hearings that this was the motive (e.g., Leslie Van Houten testified to this at her 1993 parole hearing).^{[citation needed]} This article is about the Beatles song. ...

During Beausoleil's trial for the murder of Hinman, the defense, in order to discredit the prosecution’s case, argued that the crimes were copycat murders made to misdirect police suspicion away from Beausoleil. The prosecution discounted this claim.^{[citation needed]}

In later years prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi stated that he believed the murders had numerous, disparate motives, all of which served to benefit Charles Manson.^[4] Speculations as to what attitudes may have driven Manson include paranoia (whether due to organic pathology or drug induced); anger and frustration at what he dubbed “the Establishment”; resentment over perceived slights; a curiosity to see how completely he could control and manipulate others; or a curiosity to see if he could actually "get away with it".^{[citation needed]} The Establishment is a pejorative slang term to refer to the traditional and usually conservative ruling class elite and the structures of society which they control. ...

The home where actress Sharon Tate and her husband, director Roman Polanski, were living with friends may have been chosen because "Tex" Watson had been there once and knew where it was, and Manson knew that wealthy, famous people resided in the home.^[5] It may also have been motivated by the fact that a previous tenant of the home was Terry Melcher, a record producer who Manson believed had made promises to him which had never materialized. The prosecutor suggested Manson may have very briefly encountered the residents who were later murdered when he went to the home looking for Terry Melcher and was brusquely turned away by Sharon Tate's photographer.^{[citation needed]}

The choice of the LaBianca home appears to have been random, though there is some evidence that Manson had stayed at the home next door when he’d first arrived in Los Angeles.^{[citation needed]}

The Tate/LaBianca Murders

On the evening of August 8, 1969, Charles Manson gathered Atkins, Linda Kasabian, and Patricia Krenwinkel in front of Spahn’s Ranch and told them to go with Charles "Tex" Watson and do as he told. Though this would seem to indicate something ominous was about to happen, Manson often sent his followers out at night, either to collect produce from dumpsters or day-old bread.^[6]. In Atkin's grand jury testimony, she stated that while in the car, Watson told the group they were going to a home to get money from the people who lived there and to kill them.^{[citation needed]} is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... Linda Louise Kasabian (born Linda Drouin, 1949) was the star witness in the Tate-LaBianca murders, for which Charles Manson and members of his family were convicted. ...

Five persons were murdered at Tate's Beverly Hills home: Tate (who was eight months pregnant), Steven Parent, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski (phonetic spelling of "Voytek" is often used), and coffee heiress Abigail Folger. Tate's husband, Roman Polanski, was in Europe finishing work on a film project. Susan Atkins wrote "Pig" on the front door in Sharon Tate's blood.^{[citation needed]} “Beverly Hills” redirects here. ... Sharon Marie Tate (January 24, 1943 – August 9, 1969) was a Golden Globe-nominated American actress. ... Steven Earl Parent (February 12, 1951 - August 9, 1969) was a victim of the Charles Manson murders. ... Jay Sebring (October 10, 1933 – August 9, 1969) was a successful international American hair stylist to American celebrities. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... Abigail Anne Folger (August 11, 1943 – August 9, 1969) was an American coffee heiress, debutante, socialite, volunteer social worker, civil rights devotee and member of the prominent United States Folger family. ...

The following night, August 9, Manson commented that the murders at the Tate residence had been too messy, and announced he’d have to take his followers out and "show them how it’s done." Manson called together Atkins, Krenwinkel, Watson, Kasabian, Leslie Van Houten, and Steve Grogan, and they left Spahn’s Ranch. Driving most of the night, he eventually found the home of grocery store owner Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary in Los Feliz, an elegant older section of Los Angeles. Manson and Watson entered the home and tied the couple up at gunpoint, winning their compliance by convincing them they were only going to be robbed.^[7] He then went back to the car and sent Krenwinkel and Van Houten inside to do as Tex said, once again directing them to leave writings in blood, and to hitchhike back to Spahn's Ranch. Manson then drove Atkins, Kasabian, and Grogan to Venice Beach where Kasabian said she knew a foreign actor (Saladin Nader). Manson dropped them off and told them to kill the actor and hitchhike back to the ranch. But when Kasabian deliberately went to the wrong apartment, the three didn't follow the plan. Grogan threw the gun away.^{[citation needed]} Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary LaBianca were victims of the Charles Manson murders. ... Contemporary view of L.A. from behind the Griffith Observatory in Los Feliz. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: , State County Settled 1781 Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ...

On August 16, 1969, Spahn’s Ranch was raided by the police in connection with auto thefts. Though the charges were later dropped and everyone was released, Manson apparently thought the raid was due to complaints by one of the ranch hands, Donald ("Shorty") Shea. On or about August 28, Manson convened another murder party, consisting of himself and four male followers. Shea was killed and Manson’s followers were falsely told his body was decapitated and dismembered. Shea's body was not recovered until 1977, when one of imprisoned murderers, Steve Grogan, told authorities where the body was buried.^{[citation needed]}

Soon after the raid, Manson and his followers were finally able to move out to the desert. But the authorities out there too were suspicious of him. The new abode was raided, once again on suspicion of auto theft. Once again the charges were dropped. But Atkins was not released. A woman who had left the commune and had been picked up by the police stated that Atkins had been involved in a crime in which someone had had their ear cut off. Atkins was transferred to Los Angeles to be interviewed by detectives in connection with the Hinman case.^{[citation needed]}

While in jail, Atkins befriended two middle-aged career criminals, Virginia Graham and Veronica "Ronnie" Howard. Following direction by Manson, who had instructed his followers to act tough in jail, Atkins told them she was involved with the biggest crime in the news at that time –- the Tate murders. The tactic worked to the extent that two thought her crazy. They also reported her statements to prison authorities.^{[citation needed]}

Atkins had told these women that she’d killed Sharon Tate, and this was subsequently claimed by the prosecution to be a confession. Atkins later claimed she’d only said this to “act tough” and to “exaggerate how bad she was”, and there are several pieces of evidence to suggest that this might well have been the case, as follows. Also, when the prosecutor asked Graham and Howard why they’d taken a long time (the statements to them occurred on early November 1969; they reported them at the end of the month) to report Atkins' confession, they replied that they had initially been unsure if she was telling the truth.^[8]

Atkins' Grand Jury Testimony

Atkins agreed to testify for the prosecution in exchange for the prosecution not seeking the death penalty, and she then testified before the grand jury as to what had transpired on the nights of August 8 and 9, 1969.^[9].

Atkins told the grand jury that she stabbed Voytek Frykowski in the legs and that she held Sharon Tate down while Watson stabbed her. She also stated during her grand jury testimony that her replies to Sharon Tate's pleas for the life of her baby were, "Woman, I have no mercy for you." She also denied her earlier statement to Howard and Graham that she had tasted Tate's blood.^{[citation needed]}

In exchange for her grand jury testimony, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office issued a statement that Atkins' help had been vital to law enforcement.^[10] However, prior to the trial, Atkins discontinued her cooperation with the prosecution and repudiated her grand jury testimony, although years later she would state that this testimony was truthful and accurate as to what transpired in the Tate home.^{[citation needed]}

Tate/LaBianca Trial

Manson, Krenwinkel, Van Houten and Atkins were sent to trial on June 15, 1970. Watson was later tried separately as he was at the time in Texas fighting extradition.^{[citation needed]} is the 166th day of the year (167th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

Immunity in exchange for testimony was offered to and accepted by Linda Kasabian. As Kasabian had not played a direct part in any of the murders and never entered either residence, and by several accounts had challenged Manson over the killings, the offer of immunity to her was seen as more acceptable, particularly by the prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi who commented that he was relieved the offer was withdrawn from Atkins.^{[citation needed]} Vincent Bugliosi (born August 18, 1934 in Hibbing, Minnesota) is an American attorney and author, best known for prosecuting Charles Manson and other defendants accused of the Tate-LaBianca murders. ...

During the sentencing phase of the trial, Atkins contradicted her earlier grand jury testimony and admitted direct responsibility for Tate's murder. Atkins candidly stated that she had stabbed Tate because she was "sick of listening to her, pleading and begging, begging and pleading". She also denied that Manson had any role in orchestrating the murders.^{[citation needed]}

The prosecution accepted her testimony regarding Tate but rejected her exoneration of Manson, stating that “the holes in her story were a mile wide”, and using her sworn testimony before the Grand Jury to impeach parts of her new testimony.^[11]. The prosecutor also argued that Manson orchestrated the testimony of his three co-defendents to implicate themselves and exonerating him.^[12].

Throughout the trial Atkins and her co-defendants attempted to disrupt proceedings and were noted for both their lack of remorse for their victims and lack of concern for their own fates. They typically smiled and sang Manson-penned songs while being led to the courtroom. All four defendants were sentenced to death on March 29, 1971. Atkins was transferred to California's new women’s death row on April 1971.^{[citation needed]} Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as punishment for crimes known as capital crimes or capital offences. ... is the 88th day of the year (89th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ...

The Hinman Trial

After the Tate/LaBianca trial came the Hinman trial. In a maneuver to avoid contact with Manson and her other codefendants, who all blamed her for testifying before the grand jury, Atkins pleaded guilty to the charges against her. She testified she hadn’t known Gary Hinman was going to be robbed or killed. The District Attorney agreed she had not killed Gary Hinman, but nevertheless believed she was culpable in either a conspiracy or felony-murder capacity.^{[citation needed]}

When the judge told Atkins she would be sentenced to seven-to-life for Gary Hinman's death, she asked if she would be serving that before or after her death penalty. The judge responded she would be serving them concurrently.^{[citation needed]}

Imprisonment

Susan Atkins in 2001.

Atkins' death sentence was automatically commuted to life in prison the following year after the California Supreme Court's People v. Anderson decision invalidated all death sentences imposed in California prior to 1972.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Justices of the Supreme Court of California (circa May 2005). ... 1972 California Supreme Court decision declaring that the state death penalty law violated the California constitutional prohibition against “cruel or unusual punishment. ...

In 1977, Atkins published her autobiography, Child of Satan, Child of God, in which she recounted the time she spent with Manson and the Family, her religious conversion, and her prison experiences.^{[citation needed]}

Since 1974, Atkins has been a born-again Christian, and over the last four decades has contributed to numerous community betterment programs. She has also been given two commendations for helping save the life of other inmates. She has been married since 1987. Her husband subsequently went to law school, attaining his J.D. from Harvard in 1997, and represented her at her 2000 and 2005 parole hearings. He maintains a website dedicated to her legal representation.^[13] Born again is a term used originally and mainly in Christianity, where it is associated with salvation, conversion and spiritual rebirth. ...

In addition, and tellingly, the website features not a single expression of remorse on Atkins' part for her role in the Manson family murders, which are scarcely referred to at all. The inference remains open that Atkins' "good works" and the detailed references to them on her website, are not motivated by true religious devotion, but rather by an enduring desperation to be released from prison for crimes for which, judging from her own website, she would appear to have no real regret.^{[citation needed]}

During her 2000 hearing, Sharon Tate's sister Debra, read a statement written by their father, Paul Tate, which said in part, "Thirty one years ago I sat in a courtroom with a jury and watched with others. I saw a young woman who giggled, snickered and shouted out insults, even while testifying about my daughter's last breath, she laughed. My family was ripped apart. If Susan Atkins is released to rejoin her family, where is the justice?"^[14] Parole was denied.

Following this hearing, Atkins filed a writ in federal court claiming the Parole Board was deliberately violating its own rules, the law, and the U.S. Constitution. She alleged a covert intent by the Parole Board to deny her parole regardless of whether she is suitable.^{[citation needed]}

On June 1, 2005, Atkins had her 17th parole hearing.^[15] At this hearing victims' family members were present and made statements, including Debra Tate and members of the Sebring family. Each expressed that they were not motivated by hatred or condemnation,^[16] and they conceded Susan's behavior since incarceration has been commendable,^[17] but all asked that she be denied parole in the name of justice.^[18]. The parole board denied her parole and scheduled her next hearing for 2009.^[19]

In popular culture

The 1972 film Pink Flamingos contains a dedication at the end of its opening credits reading, "For Sadie, Katie, and Les - February 1972," in reference to their sentences being commuted to life imprisonment. Pink Flamingos is a 1972 film directed by John Waters. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Van Houten at her 2004 parole hearing Leslie Louise Van Houten (born August 23, 1949 in Altadena, California) is a former member of the Charles Manson Family who was convicted of the murders of Rosemary and Leno LaBianca. ...

The song "Sadie" by Alkaline Trio is about Susan and features the lyric "Sadie G, she's crazy, see?/ That's what the white coats say/ Now Ms. Susan A, you're losing every opportunity/ To put us all away". Alkaline Trio (sometimes referred to as Ak3 or Alk3) is a band from Chicago, IL consisting of Matt Skiba on guitar/vocals, Dan Andriano on bass/vocals, and Derek Grant on drums/back-up vocals. ...

The quote near the end of the song is a paraphrasing of Susan's testimony which is spoken by Heather Hannoura, the band's merchandise and artwork creator.

"He represented a God to me that was so beautiful, that I'd do anything for him. I'd do anything for God. Even murder, if I believed it was right. How could it not be right if it is done with love? I have no remorse for doing what was right for me. I have no guilt in me."

Bibliography

• Bugliosi, Vincent and Gentry, Curt. 1974. Helter Skelter. Arrow Books Limited. ISBN 0-09-997500-9
• The Bertice Berry Show, Feb., 18, 1994, television broadcast featuring an interview with prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi.
• King, Greg. 2000. Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders. Barricade Books. ISBN 1-56980-157-6
• Deutsch, Linda. 2001. Atkins Denied Parole Again Associated Press article republished by the Rick A. Ross Institute for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements
• Associated Press. June 1, 2005. Article available at SFGate.com. Retrieved Feb. 18, 2007.

Vincent Bugliosi (born August 18, 1934 in Hibbing, Minnesota) is an American attorney and author, best known for prosecuting Charles Manson and other defendants accused of the Tate-LaBianca murders. ... Dr. Bertice Berry (b. ...

External links

• Susan Atkins Website
• Letters From Atkins and Whitehouse to a Southern California Ministry
• The Manson Family Today - News & Info

Notes and references