LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- The woman who stabbed pregnant actress Sharon Tate to death will be considered for parole from prison a month after the 40th anniversary of the killings that cast a shadow of fear over southern California. Susan Atkins, shown here after her indictment in the Manson murders, has been denied parole 17 times. Susan Atkins, 61, has been denied parole in 12 previous hearings, but the former "Manson Family" member now is terminally ill with brain cancer and is paralyzed. Charles Manson used his hypnotic powers to direct Atkins and other "family" members to kill seven people, including the pregnant Tate, in a two-night rampage that terrorized the city of Los Angeles, California, in August 1969.
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Susan Atkins has admitted she stabbed pregnant actress to death
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She has been denied parole on 17 previous occasions
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Atkins is said to have terminal brain cancer and just months to live
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She was denied compassionate release earlier this year
In a manuscript posted on her Web site, Atkins, who was known within the Manson family as @placeholder, wrote that "this is the past I have to live with, and I have to live with it every day."
Susan Atkins
Susan Atkins
Atkins
Susan Atkins
Atkins