I'm a great one for compassion too. I wouldn't begrudge her her last 3 months of life out of prison but if she had killed any of my family in the way she did (Sharon Tate begged for the life of herself and her baby) I would find it difficult to forgive.

The parole board did not give the reasons for their decision but it was unanimous. She actually applied for this release in March so it has taken some months to get this far. Apparently, since March, it has cost almost $1.5 million dollars to look after and guard her. Since she is now partially paralyzed presumably any guarding is not first and foremost to stop her escaping but to protect her.

She did have some support from family and others at the parole hearing but I suppose that releasing her now might set a precedent for the rest of the Manson family in the future.