Linda Kasbian
Tonight on Larry King Live, former Manson follower Linda Kasbian was interviewed along side Charles Manson prosecutor and "Helter Skelter" author Vincent Buligosi. Kasbian partook in the interview all the while wearing sun glasses in order to protect her identity. This seemed a bit strange as many know what she looks like.
Kasbian and Buligosi had not seen each other in years but Buligosi mentioned he hugged her when they reunited and both seemed pleased to see each other.
According to Buligosi who prosected Manson, Kasbian was the key witness who greatly assisted in putting Charles Manson behind bars. Kasbian was granted immunity as a result of her testimony. Kasbian did not commit any murders and was horrified by the killings. Kasbian explained that she and some Manson followers would often go on late night missions where they would go into homes and steal.
I thought we were gonna go on “creepy crawly” mission. ... a home invasion break-in. It was wrong, stealing … I knew that then. But it was the excitement and the fun and the thrill. When we arrived at the Tate residence … the driveway was lit up…. Tex has … wire cutters and I remember thinking, why does he have that? He cut the telephone wires.
As soon as the headlights started coming toward us, Tex jumped out … There was a person in the car. The person said, please don’t shoot me, I won’t say anything. Tex had the gun pulled out and it was a long barreled gun. And shot him.
I felt like I was dead. The reality of what had just happened didn’t register. … The screams brought me back into reality. I said to Sadie, make it stop, she said it was too late. And it was too late.
I saw a man and he had blood all over his face and he looked right into my eyes and he was dying. … I felt he was dying because of me.
Linda Kasbian talks about the night of the Tate murder on Larry King Live - 9/4/09
Sharon Tate was an American actress who performed on television and film. In 1967 she won a Golden Globe award for her performance in Valley of the Dolls.
On August 9, 1969 Sharon Tate was approxmimately 2 weeks from giving birth. She would have had a boy.
I was going to post a photo of Tate at the murder scene but I do not want to send the message that I am glorifying her death in anyway. I considered posting the photo as I wanted my readers to get a sense of just how horrifying the murders were. Why? Because the main purpose of this post is question whether former Manson followers are indeed capable of rehabilitation and if they should be forgiven. I think that viewing a photo from the Tate murder might put the situation into perspective. If any of you care to see the photo you can view it here.
Debra Tate - Sharon Tate's sister
Sharon Tate's sister Debra spoke on Larry King Live tonight as well. She spoke about Susan Atkins who participated in the Tate Murders. She actually stabbed Tate 16 times. Susan Atkins is 61 years old and dying of brain cancer. One leg is amputated and she is paralyzed through 85% of her body. Two days ago she was denied parole for the 13th time. She is up for parole 3 years from now but will most likely be dead by then.
Debra Tate was present for this parole hearing where Atkins spoke from a bed. In the Larry King interview Debra Tate claims that she does not hate any of the former Manson followers. She says that she hopes that they will live good lives in prison however she does not trust that they are fully rehabilitated. Debra Tate has attended many parole hearings and has insisted that former Manson members remain in prison. She is aware that they all have denounced Manson and have strived for betterment in their respective prisons. Regardless she feels that she has not been presented with true remorse.
Debra Tate speaks to Larry King Live on 9/4/09
Tate says that she does not understand how Atkins has lived this long considering that she has brain cancer. She says that her own mother died of brain cancer and she is not sure if Atkins is really terminal.
She says she has "all the compassion in the world for her" and always has however she does not trust that they are truly rehabilitated. Debra Tate also said in the interview tonight that she doesn't hate the former Manson followers.
I think it is quite bizarre that Debra Tate does not believe that Atkins is terminal. Even if she continues to live on she is very ill and is paralyzed through 85% of her body. She is of no harm to anyone. Perhaps Tate feels that the principle of the matter is that Atkins killed her sister and therefore remaining in prison is what she deserves, rather than being cared for at home.
I am not sure what it is that Debra Tate needs to believe that Susan Atkins and the other former Manson followers have rehabilitated.
It would be inappropriate of me to suggest that Debra Tate should forgive Atkins and the other former Manson followers or that she should simply get over it. I wonder if she believes that rehabilitation is truly possible for anyone. I don't know if there is anything the former followers could do that would satisfy her. However, I can't help but think that if she truly wants the former followers to do well and thrive then they should be allowed to prove to her and themselves that they can exist outside of prison.
I think the former followers know that they will not be released from prison yet they continue to be active in helping other prison members through spirituality, religion and recovery.
No comments:
Post a Comment