Manson skips 12th parole hearing, may be his last

Manson skips 12th parole hearing, may be his last

CORCORAN, Calif. (AP) — Debra Tate hopes that Wednesday is the last time she has to walk into a prison and argue to parole officials that Charles Manson should not be freed.

For four decades, the sister of murdered actress Sharon Tate has traveled to whatever rural California prison has held the notorious cult leader and his band of murderous followers for hearings she says are too numerous to count.

“I’ve tried to take this thing that I do, that has become my lot in life, and make it have purpose,” says the 59-year-old Tate, who was 17 in August 1969, when Manson sent his minions across Los Angeles on two nights of terror. “I’ve been doing it for Sharon and the other victims of him for the last 40 years.”

The parole hearing at Corcoran State Prison in Central California, Manson’s 12th, could be the last one for the aging mass murderer. Manson, now a gray-bearded 77-year-old, did not attend what might be his final chance to ask for freedom.

Under current law, inmates can be denied the chance to reapply for parole for up to 15 years. Another rejection could make Manson 92 before he would get another opportunity to make his case.

“At his age, I think he doesn’t care,” said Deputy District Attorney Patrick Sequeira, who will argue Wednesday against Manson’s release. “He would be lost if he got out. He’s completely institutionalized.”

Manson has said he would not attend the hearing and has not appeared since 1997. His most recent hearing was in 2007.