In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse
Susan Does
Susan was interviewed by a Los Angeles TV news station in 1985.
Here is a portion of the interview.
When the reporter speaks,
it is a voice over the film clip as we see the reporter and Susan
walking on the grounds of the prison where Susan is incarcerated.
We join the segment in progress;
Susan was interviewed by a Los Angeles TV news station in 1985.
Here is a portion of the interview.
When the reporter speaks,
it is a voice over the film clip as we see the reporter and Susan
walking on the grounds of the prison where Susan is incarcerated.
We join the segment in progress;
Reporter: "...During their imprisonment hundreds of personal letters
have been sent to the three former (named defendant) family women here.
And over the years, the people sending the letters have changed;"
Susan: "About the first 3 or 4 years letters from mothers,
of young people, grandmothers, concerned citizens,
who seem to have a compassion for my situation.
And as the years have transpired, it seems I'm getting
a tremendous amount of mail from young people
who are into drug abuse..."
have been sent to the three former (named defendant) family women here.
And over the years, the people sending the letters have changed;"
Susan: "About the first 3 or 4 years letters from mothers,
of young people, grandmothers, concerned citizens,
who seem to have a compassion for my situation.
And as the years have transpired, it seems I'm getting
a tremendous amount of mail from young people
who are into drug abuse..."
This film clip cuts to a scene from the days of the trial.
Susan is escorted out of the courthouse by several guards.
The female guard struggles to hold Susan's arm
as Susan is bombarded by reporters trying to get
microphones and camera lenses close to her.
Many questions are fired at Susan by the reporters.
Susan is smiling and playful the entire time.
As we watch the clip,
the reporter in this segment continues;
"She believes these drug users are trying to connect
to the defiant Susan Atkins,
remembered from the '60's..."
Susan is escorted out of the courthouse by several guards.
The female guard struggles to hold Susan's arm
as Susan is bombarded by reporters trying to get
microphones and camera lenses close to her.
Many questions are fired at Susan by the reporters.
Susan is smiling and playful the entire time.
As we watch the clip,
the reporter in this segment continues;
"She believes these drug users are trying to connect
to the defiant Susan Atkins,
remembered from the '60's..."
Susan: "...That image of 16 years ago is still out there.
And they're trying to identify with somebody that they think
that will be able to relate to what they're going through.
And one of the things that I would like to eventually be able to do
is work with young people..."
Susan later says
"...How can I ask somebody.......to forgive me,
for something that's almost impossible........to forgive.
But I have to ask........for forgiveness,
and then pick up the pieces,
pick up my life,
make something of it,
and be able to offer back.......some hope......."
And they're trying to identify with somebody that they think
that will be able to relate to what they're going through.
And one of the things that I would like to eventually be able to do
is work with young people..."
Susan later says
"...How can I ask somebody.......to forgive me,
for something that's almost impossible........to forgive.
But I have to ask........for forgiveness,
and then pick up the pieces,
pick up my life,
make something of it,
and be able to offer back.......some hope......."
