Helter Skelter

No, this is not really comforting:

Charles Manson was denied parole Wednesday, the 11th time since 1978 that the cult leader was ordered to continue serving life sentences for a murderous rampage in 1969.

Manson, 72, did not attend or send a representative to the proceeding before the Board of Parole Hearings at Corcoran State Prison.

It's scary that h's actually been eligible for parole all these years. Denying his parole has been the obvious choice, but those in the criminal justice system have not always done the obvious -- or rational -- thing.