Charles Manson After Vincent Buglioi obtained a conviction against Charles Manson, Manson was quoted as saying to the prosecutor: "You beat a man with a whip and he likes the whip." If there is any explanation for why Manson became the monster that he did, it would most likely be found in his childhood. Manson was beaten down from an early age and never seemed to recover. Born "No Name Maddox," Manson was born illegitimately and never knew his father. He later took the name "Manson" from one of his mother's husbands. It does not appear that Manson knew his mother very well either. His mother served time herself for armed robbery. Manson spent his childhood with various relatives and occasionally lived with his mother and her boyfriends in run-down hotels. At the age of twelve, Manson ran away. He was soon caught burglarizing stores. He was then sent to Father Flanagan's Boy's Town. He was there only four days when he left in a stolen car. At the age of thirteen, Manson was arrested for armed robbery.

Manson was 35 when he was put on trial for the Tate-LaBianca murders. At that time he had spent approximately seventeen years in jails or juvenile detention facilities, almost half of his life. He was married and divorced twice and has two known children and quite possibly more. He has boasted of committing over 35 murders. At the time of the trial, Manson had a lengthy prior criminal record that included convictions for burglay, assault, mail theft, attempted escape, homosexual rape, forgery, grand theft auto and various parole violations. A pyschiatric analysis reported that he was emotionally unstable, assaultive, dangerous and bisexual. He suffered from rejection reaction and pyschic trauma. It is not clear exactly when Manson started his "Family" at Spawn Ranch. It was the 1960's and communes were not uncommon, however, Manson's was clearly different. For Manson, the Family satisfied his sexual lust for young women and his addiction for drugs. In addition, the Family provided Manson with the control he longed for and allowed him to create a ring of criminal activity. Manson used drugs, the Beatles, the bible, fear and his own personal persuasion to create an allegiance amoung the Family. Manson was quoted as saying that Hitler was a "tuned in guy." Manson, it appears, was attempting to create a Hitler-like persona with the Family as his followers.

At the trial, Manson venemently opposed having an attorney represent him, instead prefering to represent himself. However, his request was denied. Judge Charles Older said it would be a travesty of justice to allow Manson to represent himself in a matter so serioes. Throughout the trial Manson tested the patience of Judge Older. Manson one day held up a newspaper in the jury's view with the headline "Manson Guility, Says Nixon." He would frequently shout out his complaints about how the trial was proceeding. Manson once even lunged at the judge, coming within feet of him. His presence throughout the trial over his female co-defendants was clear. They would do as Charley said. When he shaved his head, they shaved his head. When he marked a swastica on his forehead, they did the same. Eventually, Judge Older had had enough and barred the defendants from the courtroom. Manson was the only defendant to take the stand on his own behalf. It was a rambling monologue that at times was almost sympathetic and at other times indicitive of the violennt man he was. He talked about how he had "stayed stupid" and "stayed a child" and how he could not read or write. He called the Family "my people" and said that they were people that "you didn't want."

Finally, Manson stated that "I'm what you made me." As he left the stand he told the female co-defendants that they did not have testify. In the end, the jury believed that Manson had been the ringleader who plotted and helped commit the Tate-LaBianca murders. Manson was found guilty of one count of conspiring to commit murder and seven counts of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death. However, in 1972, the California Supreme Court held that the death penalty was to be abolished in the state. Manson's death sentence was then reduced to life. Manson is currently incarcerated at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City, California. The prison boasts of housing "the worst of the worst" of California prisoners. 60 Minutes has called it the "toughest maximum security prison in the country." Manson was moved to Pelican Bay State Prison in August, 1997 from the California State Prison in Corcoran. However, it s believed Manson was trafficking drugs there as well as posing a discipline problem.

Charles Manson has had three parole violation hearings since being convicted. Each time he has been denied parole. In 1997, at the most recent hearing, the parole board concluded that Manson still posed an unreasonable risk and danger to society and a threat to public safety if he were released. Manson responded: That's cool. What I'd like for you to do in your own minds personally, everybody that has a personal mind of their own, could possibly consider that the longer you let this little conviction stand, and this little Helter Skelter scheme of the DA to give his particular reality over into the play, that's going to be the reality that they're perpetuating. That's not the reality that I'm perpetuating. That's not the reality that I'm perpetuating. I'm not saying that I wasn't involved. I'm saying that I did not break man's law. Consider that in the judgment that you have for yourselves. Good day. Thank you. Manson's next parole hearing is scheduled for the year 2002. When asked what he would do if paroled, he responded that he would just "go poof." Manson can be reached at the following address: Charles Manson, B-33920 B2 119L P.O. Box 7500 5905 Lake Earl Drive Crescent City, California 95532

Vincent Bugliosi In his eight-year career with the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, Vincent Bugliosi tried almost one thousand felony and misdemeanor cases. Of his 106 felony jury trials, he lost only one. Undoubtedly, his most infamous case was the Charles Manson trial, which of course he won. Bugliosi went on to write the bestseller book Helter Skelter, based on the Manson trial. Bugliosi received his law degree in 1964 from the UCLA law school, where he was president of his graduating class. Upon graduating, he went to work as an assistant prosecutor in the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. He quickly earned a reputation as a work alcoholic and a tough as nails prosecutor. He even had a television character patterned after him. "

The D.A." starring Robert Conrad portrayed a tough, serious prosecutor who saw to it that justice was served. It is perhaps Bugliosi more than anyone else who knew Charles Manson the best. Bugliosi, personally doing much of the investigation work, visited Spawn Ranch and spoke to many of it's residents. He spent hours talking to the Manson Family, trying to understand how once innocent young people had been transformed into vicious murderers. Bugliosi had one overriding goal during the Manson trial, to get a conviction on Manson. It was a difficult task, Manson was not actually present during the first killing spree. Yet Bugliosi was convinced that Manson was the person behind it and he believed he could prove it. To do so Bugliosi spent two years examining and reexamining evidence, talking to countless witnesses, cutting deals when necessary and whatever else was needed to ensure that the Manson spent the rest of his life behind bars.

Bugliosi succeeded. After almost a year of having to sit in the same room with Manson, he finally got the satisfaction of seeing him led away in handcuffs for good. Soon after the Manson trial, Bugliosi left the Los Angeles District Attorney's office and went into private practice. In addition to writing Helter Skelter, Bugliosi has written several fiction legal thrillers. Most recently he was seen providing commentary on the O.J. Simpson trial. Bugliosi was blunt in his criticism for the prosecution in the trial and went on to write a book entitled outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Got Away With Murder.

The Victims It is the identity of the victims that makes the Charles Manson trial all that much more fascinating and eerie at the same time. Fascinating because of who they were--famous, beautiful and wealthy. And eerie because of who they were not--they were not acquaintances of the Manson family, they were not involved in some slimy, underworld business, they were not even the specific targets of Manson and his followers. The victims were all innocent persons who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. And that is what makes the story so tragic.

Sharon Tate, 26, was young, beautiful, and about to give birth to her first child. It is her death that initially filled the headlines and kept the public mesmerized. Tate had gained some publicity in her roles as an actress, the most well-known being The Valley of the Dolls. However, it was her marriage with film director Roman Polanski that really got her recognized. Tate was pregnant with Polanski's child when she was murdered. They had just recently moved into the house at 10050 Cielo Drive, what would be the scene of the first killing spree. She called the house her "love nest" unaware that it would end so tragically there. She was reported to have begged for the life of her child as she was being stabbed to death by Susan Atkins. Atkins also later stated that it was her plan to cut the fetus out of Tate's stomach, however she did not. Tate died as a result of sixteen stab wounds, five of which were in and of themselves fatal. It was Tate's blood that was used to spell out "PIG" on the front door.

Abigail Folger and Voytek Frykowski were good friends of Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski. The two lovers had spent time at Tate's house and at Sharon's request had agreed to stay until Roman Polanski returned the following week. Abigail Folger's was the heiress of the Folger's (coffee) fortune. Abigail, 25, had been introduced to the Polanski's and Sebring through Frykowski. When she and Frykowski moved to Los Angeles from New York, she initially spent much of her time doing volunteer social work in the Watts, Paciama, and other ghetto areas. Friends say she later quit after growing depressed at how mounting the problems were, feeling like her contribution meant nothing. Friends also say she was unhappy with the way her relationship with Frykowski was going, in particular their increased use of drugs, which had long passed the experimental phase. In their examination, coroner's discovered a large amount of drugs in Folger's system. However, their report concluded that despite the drugs' effects, there was no doubt that Folger's was fully aware of what was happening to her that fatal night. Her body was discovered on the lawn where her once white nightgown appeared to be red. She was stabbed twenty-eight times. Frykowski, 32, had a reputation for being a playboy. Polanski would later tell reporters that Voytek was a man of "little talent but immense charm. According to police reports he had no visible means of support and essentially lived off Folger's fortune. He was a heavy drug user, abusing LSD, marijuana, hashish, cocaine and mescaline in large amounts. He was constantly hosting parties in Hollywood where drugs were prevalent. Police believed Voytek fought the hardest for his life. His body was found on the lawn as if he had been fleeing in an attempt to escape. He was shot twice, hit over the head with a blunt object thirteen times and stabbed fifty-one times.

Jay Sebring, 35, was an internationally known men's hairstylist. His clients included Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. He led the stereotypical fast Hollywood lifestyle. He drove expensive sports cars, gave lavish parties at his Benedict Canyon mansion and his said to have had Levi's jean jackets custom made. He had once been engaged to Sharon Tate. In their investigation, police discovered a darker side to Sebring. He would often dated five or six different women a week. Often he would take them to his home where he would tie the women up with a sash cord, would whip them, then have sexual relations with them. This information after the murders led to rumors that there had been a sadomasochistic orgy occurring at the Tate residence on the night of the murders. However, police deny that Sebring's odd sexual preferences was ever a cause for the murders. Sebring's cause of death was reported as "exsanguination," meaning the victim literally bled to death. Sebring, his body found next to Tate's was stabbed seven times and shot once.

Steven Earl Parent was the epitome of someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Only eighteen, Parent was working two jobs and saving for college. He had come to the Tate residence to see his friend William Garretson, a grounds keeper at the residence. It is believed that Parent was the first person killed. Parent was found in his Rambler with one defensive stab wound and four gunshot wounds which led to his death.

Leno LaBianca and Rosemary LaBianca were Manson's victims on the second night of his killing spree. Leno, 44, was the owner of a chain of grocery stores. He was sitting on the couch reading his newspaper when the killers entered. Rosemary, 38, had finally found success and happiness after a series of dead end jobs and bad marriages. She had recently opened her own dress shop and business was thriving. She was in her bedroom when she heard her husband's screams. News of the Tate murders had been particularly disturbing to Rosemary who, a few weeks earlier, had confided to a friend that she suspected someone had been coming in their house while they were away. Despite the similarities in the two killing sprees, the police did not initially think the two crimes were related. Police initially considered the possibility that the LaBianca murders were Mafia related or the result of Leno's gambling debts. At the LaBianca's "death to pigs" was found written in blood as well as the infamous phase "helter skelter." The word "war" had been carved in Leno LaBianca's stomach. Leno died in the same house in which he was born. He had purchased the house from his mother years earlier. Leno died as a result of twelve stab wounds. He also had fourteen puncture wounds from a fork that had been jabbed into him. Rosemary died as a result of forty-one stab wounds. Evidence showed that she was stabbed long after she was dead.

Charlie's Angels Susan Atkins, also known as "Sexy Sadie" was 21 years olds when she took part in the Tate-LiBianca murders. A member of the "Family," she was a lover of Manson's and admitted that she would steal and kill for him. Atkins is most notorious for being the person who killed Sharon Tate. Atkins testified that even though Tate was begging for her life and the life of her unborn child, Atkins continued to viciously stab the young actress to death. Atkins was going to cut the fetus from Tate's stomach, but later said she didn't have the courage to do it. In jail on an unrelated charge, it was Atkins who bragged to her cellmates about what she and the others had done. Atkins initially struck a deal with the prosecution that in return for her truthful testimony, she would not receive the death penalty for her part in the murders. Atkins testified at the grand jury proceeding, which led to indictments against the others, including Manson. However, Atkins later backed out of the deal and refused to testify for the prosecution at the trial. It was then that the prosecution turned to Linda Kasabien and struck a deal with her for her testimony. Atkins later sold her story to the newspapers. Atkins was convicted of one count of conspiracy to murder and seven counts of first-degree murder. She recieved the death penalty, but her sentence was later reduced to life. Today, Susan Atkins claims to be a born-again Christian. In 1977, with the help of bob Slosser, she wrote Child of Satan, Child of God. She runs a ministry from inside the prison were she is housed. She says she has come to terms with what she did and accepts responsibility for her actions. She says there is no chance of future criminal conduct on her part and claims that she is a "victim of justice." However, the parole board feels differently. In June, 1996, she was denied parole. Her next parole hearing will be in the year 2000.

Leslie Van Houten, was 22 when she took part in the LaBianca murders. Van Houten was not present at the crime scene at the Tate residence. While being questioned by the police, it was Van Houten that provided some of the crucial information. She inadvertantly linked Manson in particular to both killing sprees. Van Houten was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiring to commit murder. She was sentenced to death, but her sentence was later reduced to life. In 1978, Van Houten was granted a new trial based on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel at her original trial. Awaiting her second trial she bonded out. In that brief period of freedom she worked as a secretary for an attorney. The freedom would not last long however, as she was convicted again in her second trial and again received a sentence of life. She currently is incarcerated at the California Institute for Women. In April, 1996, she was denied parole. Along with Atkins, Van Houten has come to terms with the heinous acts she committed. However, she claims that brainwashing, LSD, and mind control by Charles Manson are to blame in large part.

Patricia Krenwinkle, also known as "Big Patty," was only 20 years old when she participated in the Tate-LaBianca murders. Krenwinkle was most notorious for her part in Leno LaBianca's death. She was the one who jabbed forks in his stomach and "watched them wiggle." She was also responsible for carving the word "war" in his stomach. For her part in the murders she was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to murder. Like the others, she recieved a sentence of death which was later reduced to life. Of all the defendants, Krenwinkle has been the most quiet since her conviction. Unlike Van Houten and Atkins, it is reported that Krenwrinkle has yet to come to terms with what happened on those two night in August, 1969. Some say that Krenwinkle, unlike the others, still possesses great feelings of guilt about her part in the murders and has yet to forgive herself. Like the others, her parole has continually been denied. In the early 1990's, the television show "Turning Point" did an interview with Van Houten and Atkins. However, Krenwinkle refused to participate.

Linda Kasabian, was 20 years old at the time of the Tate-LaBianca murders. She testified that she did not actually take part in any of the murders. Her role was limited in standing guard and waiting in the car. Because of her lack of participation in the killings and her remorse, Bugliosi was happy to strike a deal with her. In exchange for her testimony, Kasabian recieved complete immunity. Kasabian teestified that she went to Spawn Ranch initially because she had been told that at the ranch there was a "beautiful man they had all been waiting for." Like the others, Kasabian believed Manson was Jesus Christ. Kasabian's testimony at the trial was continually attacked as not credible because she had used LSD a large number of times. The defense tried to say that she could not depict fantasy from fact. However, there is no doubt that her testimony was the vital to Manson's conviction as well as the other co-defendants. It was through Kasabian that the strange story of Helter Skelter and Manson's plan emerged. Kasabian has remeained quite since the trial. She appears to have gotten on with her life. The days of Manson and her time at Spawn Ranch remain in the past. She has married and has children and appears to lead a normal life.