First Manson recording in 15 years offered

NEW YORK, March 20 (UPI) -- Convicted U.S. killer Charles Manson says in his first released recording in 15 years that a true human being feels compassion for incarcerated animals.

Manson, who was convicted for his part in the deaths of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others, speaks about his love for nature and animals in a recording to be broadcast Monday by "Inside Edition," the TV series said in a news release Friday.

"It's all about the air and the Earth and the water and the trees," Manson said in the recording.

"What kind of human being are you if you don't have compassion for the animals in the zoo?"

Manson, 74, has spent nearly 40 years in prison for orchestrating the 1969 slayings of Tate and four others at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif. Manson did not take part in the murders, leaving the actual acts to be committed by four followers. The next night, those four disciples plus two more killed grocery store owner Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary.

Manson, whose death sentence for the crimes was converted to a life prison term, is eligible for parole in 2010.