When the connection was finally made
between the Family and the Tate/LaBiance
murders, Manson and several other
members of the Family had already been
arrested for auto theft. No suspicion was
placed upon the Family until member
Susan Atkins’ cell-mate informed the LAPD
that Atkins had boasted in great detail
about the murders. She also stated other
people the Family planned on killing.
Once the connection had been made, police matched
fingerprints to various members of the Manson Family. Acting on a
newspaper publishing of Atkin’s “confession,” the local ABC
television crew located and recovered bloody clothing discarded by
the members involved in the Tate murders.
The trial began on June 15, 1970. Manson, as well as a few
other selected members of the family, were charged with seven
counts of murder, as well as one of conspiracy. On the first day of
the trial, Manson entered the courtroom with a bloody swastika
carved into his forehead. Within the next few days, the other
members of the Family had duplicated the mark.
The prosecution’s main motive was Manson’s concept of
“Helter Skelter.” Family member Linda Kasabian became the main
witness against Manson, making a deal as she didn’t participate in
any of the murders. She testified to the jury the details of the
killings, as well as Manson’s unnatural control over the Family. She
tied in Mason to the murders themselves by simply recalling Manson
announcing “now is the time for Helter Skelter” before sending the
members off to perform the killings.
The trial was filled with
disruptions, causing it to be
drawn out for nine and a half
months. Manson was repeatedly
banned from the courtroom for
his countless outbursts. His
attorney, Irving Kanarek, was held
in contempt three times. By the
third day, he had made over 200
objections. Family members
gathered outside of the
courtroom, legally carrying
hunting knives in plain view.
Manson himself testified,
and was the only defendant
to do so. During his
testimony, the jury was
removed. His testimony
lasted well over an hour,
refusing to take blame for
any of the actions taken.
“The music is telling the
youth to rise up against the
establishment.”
“Why blame it on me? O
didn’t write the music.”
“My father is the jailhouse.
My father is your system. . . I
am only what you made me. I
am only a reflection of you.”
“I have killed no one and I have
ordered no one to be killed. I may
have implied on several different
occasions to several different
people that I may have been Jesus
Christ, but I haven't decided yet
what I am or who I am.”
“These children that come at you
with knives. they are your children.
You taught them. I didn't teach
them. I just tried to help them
stand up. . . . ”
The jury found Manson guilty of all
counts on January 25, 1971. Other
Family members tried to intervene
by claiming it was their idea, but
the jury bought none of it.
During the penalty faze, Manson
shaved his head and trimmed his
beard, claiming: "I am the Devil, and
the Devil always has a bald head.“ The
female members of the family then
preceded to shave their own heads. On
March 29, 1971, Manson was
sentenced to death by gas. This was
reduced to life in prison when
California dropped the death penalty
that year.
Manson is currently held at
Corcoran State Prison. He is often kept
in isolation, because of threats as well
as attempts on his life. In his time in
prison he has been beaten, poisoned,
raped, and set on fire. Charles Manson
is currently 76.
Song: Honey Pie
Lyric: Oh, honey pie, my position is tragic/ Come and show me the magic/
Of your Hollywood song
Manson: The Beatles know Jesus (Manson) is back on earth, and they want
him to write a song to set of Helter Skelter.
Song: Blackbird
Lyric: Blackbird singing in the dead of night/ Take these broken wings and
learn to fly/ All your life/ You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Manson: Black people will arise and overthrow whites. The Beatles are
trying to tell the black people to rise.
Paul McCartney later admitted that the intended meaning of the song was
in fact about racial struggle.
Song: Helter Skelter
Lyric: Look out... Helter Skelter... She's coming down fast... Yes she is.
Manson: Helter Slelter is imminent. The Family mist prepare.
Revolution 9 was the most significant song according to Manson. The
song has no lyrics, and is a collage of audio clips over eight minutes
long. Most of what is heard in the song that can be put to words has
not been interpreted. Manson heard oinking of pigs (who he believed
represented industry and the white man’s world), gunfire, as well as the
repeated use of the word “rise.” He also believed that the title was a
reference to the corresponding book/chapter in the Bible, and he often
included passages from it in his teachings. Manson also believed he
heard the Beatles whispering “Charlie, Charlie, send us a telegram.”
This prompted Manson to attempt to contact the Beatles on multiple
occasions.
Works Cited
Charles Manson Trial: 1970-71
http://law.jrank.org/pages/3206/Charles-Manson-Trial-1970-71.html
The Bizarre Case of Mass Murderer Charles Manson, Chester D. Campbell
http://lifeloom.com/II2Campbell.htm
Charles Manson and the Tate and LaBianca Murders, Charles Montaldo
http://crime.about.com/od/murder/p/charliemanson3.htm
Testimony of Charles Manson
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/manson/mansontestimonym.html