OPINION:
The news that Charles Manson, one of the most vicious, depraved and infamous killers, has died in prison at the ripe old age of 83 causes me to wonder how many millions of dollars have been spent over the past nearly half-century to keep him alive and provide for his needs and desires. These include legal representation for his trial and countless ludicrous and bizarre efforts to argue for parole, his housing, food, health-care needs, and other expenses through which he was a burden.
The death penalty should not be used indiscriminately and it should be applied without bias. It should be reserved for the worst of the worst: individuals such as Charles Manson and his band of murderers. It is tragic for society and his myriad victims that the death penalty was not applied to Manson and those who carried out the evil he perpetrated generations ago. Justice delayed is justice denied. There was little justice in the Manson case.
In many ways, Charles Manson got the last laugh. He lived for decades after his victims died untimely and grisly deaths, he was the object of freakish curiosity and he was supported to the tune of an immense number of tax dollars by decent, honorable individuals who contributed something to society.
OREN SPIEGLER
Upper Saint Clair, Pa.
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