|
|
Introduction
Welcome to the web site supporting Susan
Atkins-Whitehouse. This website has been recently updated, as of the spring
of 2009.
Unlike almost anything else you will read either on
or off the internet, this site has been constructed by people who actually
know the case. Though we admit we are a biased party (just like the
prosecuting attorney), we have tried as much as possible to document
absolutely everything we assert with citations to either State documentation
or statements by the District Attorneys who prosecuted this case.
Though convicted for the Tate-Labianca murders in
1969, even the prosecuting attorney for the case claimed Susan did not have
independent counsel, was deliberately prevented from putting on any defense,
and was forced to lie on the witness stand.
Susan is beginning her 40th year of
incarceration. This is longer than any woman in California history, and we believe longer than any woman in U.S. history. She has spent 37 years working at the California
Institution for Women. Though her case has attained almost urban-myth
proportions, Susan's incarceration is in stark contrast to the sensationalism
of the crime, being characterized by an unwavering decades-long commitment to
the community punctuated by contributions to earthquake victims, aids
sufferers, 9/11 victims, homeless children, victims of violent crime, at-risk
youth, and National Security. This web site has been constructed with the
hope of allowing the public to see who Susan really is and the extent to
which she has contributed to, and continues to contribute to, our community.
On March 18th, 2008, Susan was diagnosed with a particularly virulent
form of brain cancer. She has been treated by an army of incredibly skilled
neurologists, doctors, nurses, aides, therapists and social workers who have
fought extremely hard for her life. They have cared for her with kindness,
compassion, and unbelievable dedication. Despite this, on May 15th it was
announced Susan was expected to have less then six months to live. But the
result of her extreme health and even more importantly the weight of prayers
from friends, family and complete strangers who have been touched at one time
or another by Susan's work or her testimony, Susan is still with us. She has
passed the November 15th “deadline,” and on December 7th
she celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary.
She is currently in a Skilled Nursing Facility
within the California Department of Corrections where she is happy,
comfortable, content, and prayed up, and where she continues to receive
incredibly good care at the hands of dedicated and compassionate doctors,
nurses and aides. Her affliction causes her no pain.
|
|
|
My Mission Statement
I met Susan 23 years ago when I discovered
a copy of her book, "Child of Satan, Child of God." I was dealing
with problems in my own life, and this story about a girl who ended up on
death row only to turn her entire life around was extremely inspiring. I
determined that if this girl could change her life from the confines of a
prison cell on death row, certainly I, blessed with all the advantages of
living in the free world, could do the same.
It was also impressed by just how easy it is to end up at the wrong place at
the wrong time and find yourself inextricably stuck in a terrible situation.
Susan's stark story reinforced my commitment to change my life.
I wrote to Susan and we exchanged letters for a year or more, with her giving
me encouragement as I quit drinking and slowly reestablished relationships
with my family and even started back to school. Eventually she got to tell me
how she spent her time and I was amazed at the extent of the work she (and
other life-inmates) did for the community. From walk-a-thons to raise money for
the Sheriff's Department, to raising money for earthquake victims, 9-11
victims, and hurricane victims, I was astonished how many programs Susan and
these women contributed to. I asked Susan why none of this was ever mentioned
in the media and she shrugged and said the media wasn't interested.
This bothered me because I was raised with the notion that if someone did
something wrong they should be held accountable, regardless of who they are.
And if someone did something commendable they should be acknowledged, once
again regardless of who they are. This was all the more so of a woman who was
imprisoned and told she had to "pay back to the community." It
seemed not just hypocritical but unjust to demand she "pay back"
and then to refuse to acknowledge all the work she'd done.
Over the years I came to slowly understand that Susan was fully aware that
she would not be acknowledged for the work she did for the community. She
accepted that but, to my amazement, she continued to contribute
whole-heartedly - sometimes giving when she had next to nothing for herself,
and sometimes giving to people who actively advocated against her. I slowly
came to understand that she was strong enough to set her own needs aside and
keep focused on helping others regardless of whether she ever got credit for
it.
I honestly do not know if I could have done that. Not for five years, or ten
years, and not for the almost four decades Susan did it. It was because of
this commitment to others that I came to believe in Susan.
To the extent to which her trial was a circus, and to the extent to which her
case has been used and exaggerated to serve some people's financial and
political interests, and to the extent to which she has been denied parole
regardless of her flawless behavior, this offends everything I was taught to
believe regarding our Justice System and what the United States was created
to stand for.
James W. Whitehouse
|