Manson’s 12th bid for parole rejected

CORCORAN, Calif. – A prison panel denied parole Wednesday to mass murderer Charles Manson in his 12th and probably final bid for freedom.

Manson, now a gray-bearded, 77-year-old, did not attend the hearing where the parole board ruled he had shown no efforts to rehabilitate himself and would not be eligible for parole for another 15 years.

“This panel can find nothing good as far as suitability factors go,” said John Peck, a member of the panel that met at Corcoran State Prison in Central California.

The panel deliberated for 20 minutes before making its decision.

Manson orchestrated a series of gruesome murders on consecutive nights that terrified the city of Los Angeles 40 years ago. His trial with three female acolytes was an international spectacle. Manson and his followers were convicted in the 1969 slaying of actress Sharon Tate and four others.

No clear motive was ever established.

“I’m done with him,” Debra Tate, the sister of the actress, said after the hearing.

“Two down, six to go,” she added, referring to the death in prison of Manson follower Susan Atkins and the remaining six people being held in prison for murders and other crimes committed under Manson’s watch.

Later, she cried when she described the relief she felt that she will never have to worry again about Manson going free.

“I didn’t expect this feeling of joy today,” she said through tears.