I'M sure I cannot be the only person to feel a sense of unease at your inclusion of the convicted murderer and cult leader Charles Manson in your list of obituaries (The Herald, November 21), a decision which feels all the more incongruous when it is included alongside that of an admired and respected tennis champion [Jana Novotna]. While I do accept that Manson's death is a newsworthy story and is rightly featured as such in your newspaper (“Murderous cult leader Charles Manson dies in prison aged 83”, The Herald, November 21) I am less persuaded that the life of a narcissistic and attention-seeking psychopath is worthy of the obituary column, particularly when there are so many in life who contribute tirelessly to their communities with little acknowledgement or public recognition.

David Gray,

2 Caird Drive, Glasgow.