Susan Atkins parole hearing today

The former Charles Manson follower who murdered actress Sharon Tate in Benedict Canyon 40 years ago is reportedly dying of brain cancer and 85% paralyzed. Supporters want her to be released on a compassionate basis, but relatives of the Manson victims are expected to testify that she remain in prison. From Atkins' husband:

"At this point, when she can't sit up in bed, she literally cannot sit herself up in bed, she suffered paralysis on her right side, she's lost her left leg. Her left arm, her only appendage she can still use, is debilitated to the point that she literally can't snap her fingers," he said. "She can say yes most of the time. Sometimes she can say no. She can say random words. She can put sentences together three or four times a day, but that's the extent of it."

She's the longest-serving female inmate in California's prisons.

Previously on LA Observed:
Susan Atkins gets a parole hearing
Update your mental image of Charles Manson