My daughter is not brainwashed, says mother of Manson bride Fiancee claims Charles Manson innocent Afton Elaine Burton, the 26-year-old fiancee of Charles Manson who goes by the name "Star," claims Manson did not commit the mass murders he is imprisoned for. Charles Manson's future mother-in-law will not be attending his prison wedding but said she did not believe her daughter had been brainwashed by the mass-murderer. Manson, 80, has been granted a licence to marry Afton Burton, 26, who has been campaigning for his release. Melissa Burton, 48, who is still in touch with her daughter, said she grew up in a "good Christian home" with her Baptist family in Illinois. Charles Manson and Star. Photo: Mansondirect.com Mrs Burton declined to comment on her daughter's choice of husband but she will not attend the wedding, buy a gift or meet him. She told The Daily Telegraph: "She had a very stable upbringing, a very normal life. She was raised in a Christian household. She plays the piano and is very musically gifted. I can't say enough good about her, she's a sweet, kind, loving person. I don't believe she has been brainwashed. She's a very bright person and she has never done anything she hasn't thought through thoroughly. Mrs Burton said she was shocked when she heard about the wedding plans but had decided to let her daughter make her own choices. She said: "She's a grown woman, I can't dictate what she does." Manson has been in jail for more than four decades since being convicted of the murders of seven people including the actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant when she died. He has been denied parole a dozen times and is not eligible again until 2027. Miss Burton, who uses the name Star, moved from Illinois to Corcoran, California, where Manson is imprisoned in a remote jail, at the age of 19. The couple will be allowed 10 guests at the wedding but none of Miss Burton's family are attending. They will be allowed to hold hands and kiss at the ceremony but will not be allowed conjugal visits.