Many people were shocked to read that Charles Manson was finally being released from prison on parole. The article making the claim turned out to be a hoax, but managed to trick and even scare many people.

The hoax article was published on the Empire News website. The website is a satirical website, but many people thought the article was actual news and mistook it as the truth.

The article reads,

“One of the most famous killers in the American prison system will soon be walking free. On Tuesday Charles Manson, who is now 79 years old, was granted parole by the California Board of Parole and authorized by California Governor Jerry Brown. According to California Board of Parole Hearings Commissioner John Peck, prison overcrowding forced the prison board to re-evaluate prisoners that are elderly or those with serious illnesses. In February a panel of federal judges ordered California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) two more years to reduce chronic prison overcrowding that has cost the state billions of dollars.”

It goes on to offer more details about the Manson murders and his numerous attempts at parole. The article was shared on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, where readers also expressed their fear and disbelief.

Is this legit? Charles Manson Granted Parole | Empire News http://t.co/gbmP1hx5lB

— Benghazi Taylor_NY (@NYPolJunkie) June 7, 2014

Charles Manson granted parole? I don't wanna be free anymore. Anyone wanna rob a bank?

— Hoeology Professor (@Rhyme0fReason) June 7, 2014

If Charles Manson really got granted parole I'm moving out the country fam. Hell nah

— Carlos (@Carloscumsfirst) June 6, 2014

Charles Manson was granted parole. sleep tight.

— Colby Belshe (@colbylb) June 5, 2014

You have got to be kidding me! #charlesmanson http://t.co/VS60dJeb0I

— SusanKnowles (@SusanKnowles) June 5, 2014

Eventually, the world caught on to the fact that the article was a hoax. Manson was last denied parole in 2012. He is currently 79 years old and is serving time at a prison in California.

He was convicted in 1969 for seven murders following his “Helter Skelter” killings by the ‘Manson Family’ and Manson himself.

He has been denied parole 12 times and will likely die in prison, a fate he seems to be content with. He recently told a prison psychologist,

“I’m special. I’m not like the average inmate. I have spent my life in prison. I have put five people in the grave. I am a very dangerous man.”

Did you fall for the Charles Manson parole hoax?

Image via Wikimedia Commons