No wedding bells for Charles Manson and 26-year-old devotee

FRESNO, Calif. -- The marriage license of mass murderer Charles Manson and a 26-year-old devotee who believes in his innocence is set to expire without a wedding taking place, prison officials said Monday.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Jeffrey Callison said weekend visiting for inmates passed without Manson getting married.

Afton Elaine Burton and the 80-year-old Manson obtained a 90-day marriage license late last year. It expires Thursday, making this past weekend the couple's final opportunity to hold a wedding inside a visiting room at California State Prison, Corcoran. If the wedding is to happen, the couple must register for a new Kings County marriage license.

Burton, who goes by the name "Star" and says she loves Manson, left her home halfway across the country and has spent the last nine years living near the Central California prison. Manson was convicted of killing seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate, the wife of director Roman Polanski.

Burton, who maintains websites espousing Manson's innocence, has not responded to recent requests seeking comment on the relationship. Shortly after obtaining the license, she told The Associated Press the nuptials were imminent: "Y'all can know that it's true," she said in November. "It's going to happen."

James McGrath, a New York City photo agency editor, said that he maintains contact with Burton and that she intends to obtain another 90-day license and go ahead with the marriage.

Manson became notorious in 1969 as the leader of a "family" of young killers. Manson follower Susan Atkins died of cancer behind bars, but Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel remain imprisoned. So do Charles "Tex" Watson, Bruce Davis and Robert Beausoleil, who is expected to have a parole hearing Feb. 19. Manson is eligible for parole next in 2027.