The sister of actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant when she was brutally murdered by followers of Charles Manson, is speaking out against the cult leader’s impending marriage.
Manson, 80, is planning to marry 26-year-old Afton Elaine Burton, who left her Midwestern home and spent the past nine years trying to help exonerate him, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A wedding coordinator will handle the nuptials at California State Prison in Corcoran, where Manson is detained.
Sharon Tate’s sister, Debra, wrote an op-ed Monday for Time magazine, arguing that Manson has no right to enjoy the happiness marriage brings.
She said the first thing that came to mind when she heard the news Manson was getting married was what her mother would say.
“She would be outraged and say something to the effect of, ’Manson has no right to marry, as he took away my daughter’s right to happiness, and to life itself.’ I feel exactly the same way,” she said.
“The state of California has long been viewed as a liberal state, but at what point is liberal too liberal?” Miss Tate continued. “Those who commit such extraordinarily heinous crimes against humanity should be asked to forfeit their own rights to the pleasures of life — which include marriage, the birth of children, and family relations of any kind — as they denied their victims all of these most precious gifts. Why should we as a society allow those who take away life the privilege to enjoy all that life has to offer? I really struggle with this.”
Miss Tate argues that Ms. Burton’s relationship with Manson “shows the power he still possesses over the young and impressionable” minds.
“So should we allow someone like Charles Manson the privilege of getting married? Absolutely not,” she concluded.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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