> Cooley says Atkins' crimes alone warrant denial of the request.

I have to agree in this case. She participated in a carefully pre-planned and orchestrated, gruesome multiple murder; and she has never shown a shred of remorse. All we ever got was a lot of rhetoric spouting hatred of "society" (including, presumably, its care amenities). That same Society - i.e. the taxpayer - would now probably have to support her and pay for her extensive medical bills, not to mention around-the-clock police protection. I can think of a few non-criminals who could do with some free housing and hospital care.

She was viciously ready enough to destroy "society" when she was young and healthy, and nothing convinces me that anything other than selfish interest is motivating her now. Is she sorry? Has reflecting upon her crime and its victims even occurred to her? Or is she just going after something she wants?   

In any case, what is the point of releasing her? After all the decades she's spent inside, not to mention her very public profile, where is she going to go and what sort of life could she expect to lead? It's such a changed world now from all those 60s values and styles - where is she even going to plug in? I don't know how long she has left, but there's little difference between one hospital ward and another. Or would it mean hiring her a private nurse - along with the guard at the door?   

She should reap the full consequences of her acts, which were freely chosen.

Humble Opinion, why don't you get down off that fence and tell us what you think? And the reasons supporting it. We all have.