Charles Manson Parole Trial: 'Poster Child for Death Penalty'
The case surrounding Charles Manson has created a considerable amount of debate after the cult leader, who was once sentenced to death, is now facing his 12th parole hearing after 33 years in prison.
Manson is accused of ordering his "family members"- who at the time formed a part of the Manson cult- to kill actress Sharon Tate along with members who were currently living in the house. Manson was originally sentenced to death in a 1969 hearing for his role in the deaths of nine victims. However, in 1970, the state of California temporarily suspended the death penalty, which led to Manson's death sentence being commuted to life in prison.
The case became high profile for several reasons. Not only was Manson a cult leader, but his victim was Sharon Tate, a pregnant woman who Manson did not even intend to target. Manson was instead after a record producer who lived in the house before Tate and her husband moved in.
Now 33 years after the brutal murders were committed, Mason is once again up for parole. At the age of 77, this is Manson's 12th parole hearing. Recent photos of Manson were released depicting a much older man, although clearly marked by the same swastika tattoo.
Some believe the Manson case is clear evidence of why the death penalty should remain.
"Here's a guy who killed AFTER he was imprisoned. One of his attorneys ended up being murdered and 'Sqeaky' Frome came within a hair of [assassinating] then President Gerald Ford. A virtual poster child for the death penalty and why it should be reinstated," wrote Herbert Kaufman on the L.A. Times blog.
During Manson's last parole review in 2007, the prisoner refused to undergo psychological analysis and was thus deemed unfit to go back into society. His next parole hearing will take place on April 11.
