He's not exactly what you'd call an eligible bachelor, but 80-year-old, incarcerated mass murderer Charles Manson has been granted a marriage license. The lucky lady? Twenty-six year old Afton Elaine Burton who has spent the past nine years trying to exonerate her beloved.
Manson was jailed in 1970 after being convicted of the notorious murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others. But Burton, who runs a fan site for her husband-to-be, insists she loves the convicted felon and can't wait to be married to him.
The license, which was issued on Friday, Nov. 7, is valid for 90 days, meaning they have until early February to tie the knot, although no date has yet been set.
Burton, who goes by the name Star, was happy to confirm news of her unconventional engagement.
"Y'all can know that it's true," she told the AP in an interview. "It's going to happen. I love him, I'm with him.”
One positive: there’s no need to worry about the convicted murderer procreating once he's legally wed. As a life prisoner with no parole date, Manson is not entitled to conjugal visits. Not that this fact concerns Burton. The future bride insists her main focus is on clearing her sweetheart’s name, and being married will make that easier.
"There's certain things next of kin can do," she said without elaborating.
Victim Tate's sister, Debra, who acts as a spokeswoman for the families of Manson's victims, was scathing of the impending nuptials.
"I think it's insane," she said. "What would any young woman in her right mind want with an 80-year-old man? The devil is alive and well," she added.
Burton said prison weddings are held on the first Saturday of each month and she expects to say her vows in an inmate visiting room at the jail. The happy couple will be entitled to invite 10 non-inmate guests to the joyous occasion.
