November 20, 2025 • 24 mins
Reid Carter covers the trial that shocked America. December 1969: Susan Atkins confessed to cellmate—described stabbing Sharon Tate, tasting her blood. August 1970: Trial began with Manson carving X into forehead—"I have X'd myself from your world." His three female followers carved matching X's. Girls giggled during testimony, sang Manson's songs, disrupted proceedings daily. President Nixon declared Manson guilty mid-trial—judge nearly declared mistrial. January 25, 1971: All four convicted of first-degree murder. March 29: Death sentences. California abolished death penalty 1972—sentences commuted to life. Manson died in prison 2017. Followers remain incarcerated, denied parole repeatedly.
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Join our new FB groups page here. Take the poll!
Join the Celebrity Trials community on social media! We're building a passionate group of true crime enthusiasts who love diving deep into the most shocking cases in America.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram by searching "Celebrity Trials Podcast" on either platform.
You'll get exclusive behind-the-scenes content, breaking news updates on cases we're covering, and early alerts when new episodes drop. Our social media is where Reid Carter's hottest takes live, including reactions that don't make it into the show.
But more importantly, it's where YOU come in. Share your theories, debate the verdicts, and connect with fellow listeners who are just as obsessed with justice as you are. Did the jury get it right? What questions do you still have? Your comments and insights often shape future episodes.
We cover the trials that matter, but our community makes the conversation unforgettable. Come for Reid's signature cynical commentary, stay for the incredible discussions with thousands of true crime fans who get it.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Kalaroga Shark Media. Good morning, I'm reed Carter November twentieth,
twenty twenty five. January twenty fifth, nineteen seventy one, Los
Angeles County Superior Court. The jury foreman stood, read the verdict.
(00:26):
We the jury find the defendant Charles Manson guilty of
murder in the first degree of Abigail Anne Folger guilty
of murder in the first degree of Voischiek Fraikowsky guilty
of murder in the first degree of Stephen Earl Parent,
guilty of murder in the first degree of j Sebring,
(00:46):
guilty of murder in the first degree of Sharon Marie
Polanski Tate guilty of murder in the first degree of
Leno A. Labyanka guilty of murder in the first degree
of Rosemary Labyanka. Seven counts, seven guilty verdicts. Charles Manson
convicted of orchestrating the murders, even though he never physically
(01:08):
killed anyone himself. His three female followers, Susan Atkins, Patricia Crenwinkle,
Leslie Van Houghton, also guilty on all counts. Tex Watson
tried separately, also convicted. All four received death sentences. Would
have been executed in California's gas Chamber, but in nineteen
seventy two, California Supreme Court abolished the death penalty, sentences
(01:33):
automatically commuted to life in prison. Charles Manson died in
prison November nineteenth, twenty seventeen, eighty three years old, natural causes,
fifty years after the murders. Never showed remorse, never apologized,
spent his final decades giving interviews blaming society, claiming he
was innocent. His followers remain in prison. Susan Atkins died
(01:58):
in two thousand and nine. Rishach Crenwinkle still incarcerated at
California Institution for Women. Leslie Van Houghton released on parole
in twenty twenty three after fifty three years. Tex Watson
denied parole eighteen times. The trial lasted seven months, longest
murder trial in California history at the time. The most bizarre.
(02:19):
Manson carved an ex into his forehead. His followers carved
matching xes. They sang, giggled, disrupted court, made a mockery
of justice, but the jury saw through the performance, convicted
them all, gave them death, later commuted to life. I'm
red Carter. This is Celebrity Trials, Day two, The trial
(02:43):
that America couldn't stop watching. August ninth, nineteen sixty nine,
five murders at ten thousan fifty Colo Drive. August tenth,
two murders at three three zero one Waverley Drive. APD
immediately knew the cases were connected. Blood messages, same brutality,
(03:05):
same methods, but no suspects, no leads, nothing. The Tait
case made international headlines. Sharon Tate, beautiful actress, pregnant, married
to Roman Polanski, murdered in her own home. Hollywood panicked,
Star's hired security, bought guns, installed alarm systems. Nobody felt safe.
(03:27):
Theories circulated drug deal gone wrong, Sharon's ex boyfriend, Jay
Sebring had celebrity clients, may be involved in drugs, mob hit.
Roman Polanski made controversial films, maybe made enemies, satanic ritual.
The blood messages, the brutality looked occult related. LAPD pursued
(03:48):
every angle, investigated, Sharon's friends, Roman's enemies, Jay's business associates,
Voischik's connections. Found nothing connecting to the murders. Dead ends everywhere. Meanwhile,
the LaBianca case got less attention. No celebrities involved, just
a couple in Los Felise, but detectives noticed helter Skelter
(04:10):
written in blood, misspelling unusual phrase, same as song from
the Beatles White album released the previous year. Two separate
LAPD divisions investigated didn't share information well, didn't realize immediately
how connected the cases were, classic law enforcement communication failure.
(04:30):
The break came from inside prison. Susan Atkins had been
arrested on unrelated charges in October nineteen sixty nine auto theft.
Sitting in sybil Brand Institute for Women awaiting trial, shared
a cell with Virginia Graham. Susan liked to talk. Bragged,
told Virginia about the family, about spawn Ranch, about Charles
(04:52):
Manson being Jesus Christ reincarnated, about murders she'd committed. Virginia
didn't believe her. At first, thought Susan was delusional, making
things up for attention, but Susan kept talking, gave specific
details details only someone present would know. Susan described the
Tate murders, said she'd held Sharon Tate down, stabbed her
(05:15):
sixteen times, described Sharon begging for her baby's life. Susan
told Virginia she said, please let me have my baby.
I don't want to die. And I looked at her
and I said, look, bitch, I don't care. If you're
going to have a baby, you had better be ready.
You're going to die, and I don't feel anything about it.
Susan also said she tasted Sharon Tate's blood, that it
(05:38):
was warm and sticky and nice, that she wrote pig
on the door using Sharon's blood. Virginia Graham was horrified.
This wasn't fantasy, this was confession, she told the authorities. Simultaneously,
Another inmate, Ronnie Howard, also heard Susan's confessions told police
(05:58):
the same stories, consistent details multiple witnesses. LAPD finally had
a lead. December nineteen sixty nine, grand jury convened. Susan
Atkins testified, described everything the planning, the murders, Charles Manson's orders,
who participated, how they did it, where they dumped evidence,
(06:20):
arrest warrants issued, LAPD rated spawn Ranch, arrested, Charles Manson,
Tex Watson, Patricia Crenwinkle, Leslie van Houghten, Linda Kasabian, and
several other family members. Tex Watson fled to Texas fought
extradition for nine months. Eventually returned to California for trial.
(06:41):
Tried separately from the others. Linda Kasabian, the getaway driver
who didn't actually kill anyone, made a deal immunity in
exchange for testimony. She'd testify against Manson and the others
tell the jury exactly what happened. Susan Atkins initially planned
a teen testify for the prosecution two, but changed her
(07:03):
mind decided to stay loyal to Charlie. Her grand jury
testimony would be used instead, but the defense fought to
exclude it. Eventually, Susan didn't testify at trial at all.
The trial was set for June nineteen seventy venue Los
Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charles Older, presiding prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi,
(07:27):
ambitious deputy district attorney who'd spent months building an airtight case.
Defense attorneys for each defendant, media from around the world.
Jury selection took months. Nobody in Los Angeles hadn't heard
about the case. Finding impartial jurors was nearly impossible. Eventually,
twelve were seated, seven men, five women, ages ranging from
(07:51):
twenty five to seventy three. June fifteenth, nineteen seventy, trial began,
opening statements scheduled. Charles Manson had other plans. He stood
up in court started reading a statement. Judge Older told
him to sit down. Manson kept reading louder, accusing the
court of railroading him, of denying his rights of staging
(08:13):
a show trial. Judge Older ordered bailiffs to remove him.
Manson resisted, screamed. His three female followers, Susan Patricia Leslie,
stood up started chanting, singing Manson's songs. Bailiffs removed them too.
This set the tone for the next seven months, chaos, disruptions, outbursts.
(08:34):
The trial became a circus, and Charles Manson was the ringleader.
But first he had a message for America, something that
would become iconic, something that defined how the world saw him.
June sixteenth, nineteen seventy, second day of trial, Manson walked
into court. The courtroom gasped. He'd carved an ex into
(08:56):
his forehead between his eyebrows, fresh wound, still bleeding, made
it himself with a razor. Outside court, Manson told reporters
what it meant. I have exed myself from your world.
The next day, Susan Atkins appeared with an ex carved
in her forehead, then Patricia Crenwinkle, then Leslie Van Houghten.
(09:18):
All three had matching exes carved to show solidarity with Charlie,
to show they'd rejected society, to show they were one.
The jury was shielded from seeing the exes. Initially, Judge
Older worried it would prejudice them, but eventually they saw
saw Manson and his followers marked branded united in their
contempt for the legal system. The trial proceeded. Prosecutor Vincent
(09:42):
Bugliosi presented evidence, crime scene photos, blood samples, fingerprints, forensic
evidence linking the defendants to the murders, physical proof they'd
been at Ciello Drive and Waverley Drive. Linda Kessebian testified
for eighteen days, described everything the planning, the drive to
Cielo Drive, watching from outside as her friends murdered five
(10:05):
people the next night at the Labyankas Manson's orders, his
control over the family, his helter skelter theory. The defense
tried to destroy Linda's credibility, called her a drug addict,
a liar, a woman who'd abandoned her children, but Linda
held firm answered every question, described the murders in detail,
(10:28):
never wavered. Other witnesses testified, forensic experts, medical examiners, lap
D detectives, members of the family who'd left, all building
the case that Charles Manson ordered these murders, that Tex, Susan, Patricia,
and Leslie carried them out, that seven people died because
of them. The defense argued Manson didn't kill anyone personally,
(10:52):
wasn't even at Coello Drive, only entered the Labyanka house briefly,
didn't kill the Labyankas himself. How could he be guilty
of murder if he didn't physically commit the acts. Bugliosi
argued conspiracy. Under California law, anyone who conspires to commit
murder is equally guilty. Doesn't matter if they pull the trigger,
(11:14):
if they order the killing, they're murderers. Charles Manson ordered
these killings. Therefore, Charles Manson was a murderer. The jury
would decide, We'll be right back with the courtroom chaos.
President Nixon declaring Manson guilty mid trial, the verdict and
the death sentences that became life sentences. The Manson trial
(11:48):
wasn't just about evidence. It was about control. Charles Manson
spent seven months trying to control the courtroom, control the narrative,
control his followers, control the outcome. He failed, but the
attempt was spectacular. Daily disruptions, Manson would stand without permission,
shout at the judge, call him a puppet, a tool
(12:10):
of the establishment, say the trial was a sham. Judge
Older would order him removed. Bailiffs would drag him out. Susan, Patricia,
and Leslie would stand start singing, chanting, making noise until
they too were removed. Outside the courthouse, more family members gathered.
Squeaky from Manson's most devoted follower, who wasn't charged, led them.
(12:33):
They sat on the sidewalk, carved exes into their foreheads,
sang Manson's songs, held vigils, tried to intimidate witnesses and jurors.
At one point, they brought a sword to court, threatened
violence If Manson was convicted. Security was increased, metal detectors installed,
but the family kept coming every single day, a permanent
(12:55):
presence inside court. The female defendants acted like it was
performance art. They giggled during testimony about murders, laughed when
prosecutors described how Sharon Tate begged for her baby's life,
made jokes, treated it like entertainment. Judge Older threatened them
with contempt, warned they'd be removed permanently if they didn't stop.
(13:16):
They didn't care, kept disrupting. Eventually all three were banned
from attending portions of their own trial watched via closed
circuit TV from holding cells. Manson tried to fire his attorney,
wanted to represent himself. Judge Older denied the request, initially
said Manson wasn't qualified. Manson argued he had a right
(13:38):
to defend himself. Eventually, Judge Older relented allowed Manson to
act as his own attorney, but with court appointed counsel
as backup. Big mistake. Manson used it as a platform
cross examined witnesses with bizarre questions. Asked Linda Kasabian about spirituality,
about love, about whether society was more evil than and individuals.
(14:01):
Nothing about the actual murders, Just philosophy, rambling, manipulation attempts.
July nineteen seventy, Manson decided he wanted to testify. His
attorneys advised against it, said he'd incriminate himself. Manson insisted.
Judge Older allowed it, but not in front of the
(14:21):
jury first, Manson would testify outside their presence. Judge would
determine if it was relevant, then decide if jury could
hear it. Manson testified for hours, rambled, talked about his childhood, prison,
society's failures, how the system created him, how he was
a product of everything wrong with America. Said he didn't
(14:41):
order anyone to kill, said his followers acted on their own,
misunderstood his words, misunderstood helter skelter. These children did what
they believed was right. Manson said, I didn't tell them
to kill anyone. I told them to do what was necessary.
They decided what that meant. Classic psychopath deflection, taking credit
(15:03):
for the family's devotion while denying responsibility for their actions.
Having it both ways. Judge Older ruled most of Manson's
testimony was irrelevant, self serving, not admissible. The jury wouldn't
hear most of it. Manson was furious, screamed at the judge,
said the trial was rigged, that he was being silenced,
(15:26):
removed from court again. August third, nineteen seventy, President Richard
Nixon made a statement to reporters, said Charles Manson was guilty.
Here was a man who was guilty directly or indirectly
of eight murders. Eight murders Nixon counted Charonate's unborn baby.
But more importantly, the president had just declared the defendant
(15:48):
guilty before the jury reached a verdict. Before deliberations mid trial.
The next day, Manson walked into court holding a newspaper
front page headline Manson guilty. Nixon declares, held it up
for the jury to see, made sure everyone saw it,
trying to force a mistrial. Judge Older was furious, questioned
(16:12):
each juror individually, asked if they'd seen the headline, if
it influenced them. All twelve said no, they'd avoided media
coverage as instructed, hadn't seen Nixon's statement, could still be impartial.
Judge Older continued the trial, but he was livid President
Nixon had nearly destroyed the case, nearly forced a mistrial.
(16:33):
After seven months of proceedings, unprecedented presidential interference. Closing arguments
began November nineteen seventy. Vincent Bugliosi spoke for eight hours
over multiple days, methodically laid out the evidence, the timeline,
the witness testimony, the physical proof, the conspiracy, the motive,
(16:54):
helter skelter Bugliosi explained Manson's theory, how he believed the
Beadles were sending him messages through their songs, how he
thought a race war was coming, how he decided to
trigger it himself, how he sent his followers to commit
murders designed to look like black militants did it, how
it all failed, How seven people died for nothing. Charles
(17:15):
Manson is the most dangerous man who ever walked the
face of the earth, Bogliosi told the jury. He ordered
these murders. He's as guilty as if he plunged the
knife himself, more guilty because he corrupted these young people,
turned them into killers, destroyed their humanity. Seven people are
(17:37):
dead because of Charles Manson. The defense argued Manson was
being scapegoated, that Tex Watson was the real killer, that Susan,
Patricia and Leslie made their own choices, that Manson was
just a hippie cult leader whose followers took things too far,
that he didn't order specific murders, that his words were misinterpreted,
(17:58):
but the evidence was over whelming. Linda Kasabian's testimony, forensic proof,
the conspiracy, the planning, the aftermath all pointed to Manson.
Orchestrating everything. January fifteenth, nineteen seventy one, the case went
to the jury, twelve people deciding the fate of four defendants,
(18:19):
seven murder charges each. For nine days, the jury deliberated,
reviewed evidence, debated, discussed. The verdict had to be unanimous,
all twelve agreeing on every count for every defendant. January
twenty fifth, nineteen seventy one, the jury returned guilty on
all counts all four defendants, twenty eight guilty verdicts total.
(18:42):
Charles Manson showed no emotion, just stared straight ahead. His
three female followers smiled, giggled like it was a joke,
like they just won something. The penalty phase began immediately.
Under California law, the same jury that convicted would decide
punishment life in prison or death in the gas chamber.
(19:03):
Prosecution presented aggravating factors, the brutality, the multiple victims, the
lack of remorse, the danger the defendants posed to society
asked for death. Defense presented mitigating factors, difficult childhoods, drug addiction,
Manson's manipulation youth. Susan was twenty three, Patricia was twenty three,
(19:24):
Lesley was twenty one when the murders occurred. Asked for life.
March twenty ninth, nineteen seventy one, the jury recommended death.
All four defendants, Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Crenwinkle, Leslie
van Houghten death in the gas chamber. Judge Older formally
sentenced them April nineteenth, nineteen seventy one. It is the
(19:45):
judgment and sentence of this court that you shall suffer
the death penalty. This penalty is to be inflicted within
the walls of the State Prison at San Quentin in
the manner prescribed by law at such time as the
warden shall direct. Manson smiled, said, you people have no
authority over me. You can take my life, but you
can't touch my soul. You can kill me, but I'll
(20:07):
always be here. His followers sang chanted, celebrated like they'd won,
like death was victory. They were transferred to San Quentin
State Prison death row, awaiting execution. Charles Manson in the
men's section, Susan, Patricia, and Leslie in the women's section,
separated for the first time in years, but they'd never
(20:29):
be executed. February eighteenth, nineteen seventy two, California, Supreme Court
ruled the death penalty unconstitutional. People versus Anderson, all death
(20:51):
sentences in California automatically commuted to life in prison. Charles Manson,
Susan Atkins, Patricia Crenwinkle, Leslie Van Houghton, Tex Watson, convicted
separately in October nineteen seventy one, also sentenced to death,
all now serving life. Manson was furious. He wanted to die,
wanted to be executed, become a martyr, die famous. Instead,
(21:16):
he'd rotten, prison, forgotten, ignored that was worse than death
for someone who craved attention. Over time, Manson changed his
forehead X into a swastika, made himself look more evil,
more shocking, trying to stay relevant, stay famous. It worked.
He remained one of America's most recognizable criminals until his death.
(21:39):
His followers also changed. Susan Atkins found religion, became a
born again Christian, married, wrote books, asked for forgiveness, denied
parole thirteen times. Died in prison September two thousand and
nine brain cancer, aged sixty one. Spent forty years incarcerated.
(21:59):
Patricia cr v Winkle also found religion, expressed remorse, apologized
to victim's families accepted responsibility. Denied parole fifteen times. Still
incarcerated at age seventy seven California Institution for Women, oldest
woman in California prison system, will likely die there. Leslie
(22:21):
Van Houghton, youngest member convicted of LaBianca murders only, was
granted parole in twenty twenty three after fifty three years,
released at age seventy three. Multiple governors had blocked previous
parole grants. Finally released by Governor Gavin Newsom after courts
ruled she deserved freedom. Tex Watson denied parole eighteen times,
(22:43):
most recent hearing in October twenty twenty one. Next eligible
in twenty twenty six. Also found religion, became ordained minister, married,
had four children through conjugal visits before California ended the program.
Still claims he's reformed, Still denied parole, will likely die
(23:04):
in prison. Make it make sense? Four people murdered seven
strangers to start a race war based on Beatles lyrics,
got death sentences commuted to life. Two dead, one released
after fifty three years. Two still imprisoned, all because they
followed Charles Manson. That's day two of our Manson family series.
(23:26):
The trial that lasted seven months, the exes carved into foreheads,
the courtroom chaos, the guilty verdicts, the death sentences commuted
to life. Charles Manson died November nineteenth, twenty seventeen, eighty
three years old, natural causes. Never showed remorse, never apologized,
spent fifty years in prison, giving interviews, writing letters claiming innocence.
(23:50):
Susan Atkins dead in two thousand and nine, Patricia Crenwinkle
still imprisoned. Leslie Van Houghten released in twenty twenty three.
Tex Watson did the nighted parole eighteen times. Tomorrow the
final day, the aftermath. How the Manson murders changed America,
the end of the nineteen sixties, the victims' families fifty
(24:11):
six years later, and Charles Manson's legacy. The cult leader
who became more famous than the Beatles he worshiped. I'm reed, Carter,
this is celebrity trials.
Kalaroga Shark Media. Good morning, I'm reed Carter November twentieth,
twenty twenty five. January twenty fifth, nineteen seventy one, Los
Angeles County Superior Court. The jury foreman stood, read the verdict.
(00:26):
We the jury find the defendant Charles Manson guilty of
murder in the first degree of Abigail Anne Folger guilty
of murder in the first degree of Voischiek Fraikowsky guilty
of murder in the first degree of Stephen Earl Parent,
guilty of murder in the first degree of j Sebring,
(00:46):
guilty of murder in the first degree of Sharon Marie
Polanski Tate guilty of murder in the first degree of
Leno A. Labyanka guilty of murder in the first degree
of Rosemary Labyanka. Seven counts, seven guilty verdicts. Charles Manson
convicted of orchestrating the murders, even though he never physically
(01:08):
killed anyone himself. His three female followers, Susan Atkins, Patricia Crenwinkle,
Leslie Van Houghton, also guilty on all counts. Tex Watson
tried separately, also convicted. All four received death sentences. Would
have been executed in California's gas Chamber, but in nineteen
seventy two, California Supreme Court abolished the death penalty, sentences
(01:33):
automatically commuted to life in prison. Charles Manson died in
prison November nineteenth, twenty seventeen, eighty three years old, natural causes,
fifty years after the murders. Never showed remorse, never apologized,
spent his final decades giving interviews blaming society, claiming he
was innocent. His followers remain in prison. Susan Atkins died
(01:58):
in two thousand and nine. Rishach Crenwinkle still incarcerated at
California Institution for Women. Leslie Van Houghton released on parole
in twenty twenty three after fifty three years. Tex Watson
denied parole eighteen times. The trial lasted seven months, longest
murder trial in California history at the time. The most bizarre.
(02:19):
Manson carved an ex into his forehead. His followers carved
matching xes. They sang, giggled, disrupted court, made a mockery
of justice, but the jury saw through the performance, convicted
them all, gave them death, later commuted to life. I'm
red Carter. This is Celebrity Trials, Day two, The trial
(02:43):
that America couldn't stop watching. August ninth, nineteen sixty nine,
five murders at ten thousan fifty Colo Drive. August tenth,
two murders at three three zero one Waverley Drive. APD
immediately knew the cases were connected. Blood messages, same brutality,
(03:05):
same methods, but no suspects, no leads, nothing. The Tait
case made international headlines. Sharon Tate, beautiful actress, pregnant, married
to Roman Polanski, murdered in her own home. Hollywood panicked,
Star's hired security, bought guns, installed alarm systems. Nobody felt safe.
(03:27):
Theories circulated drug deal gone wrong, Sharon's ex boyfriend, Jay
Sebring had celebrity clients, may be involved in drugs, mob hit.
Roman Polanski made controversial films, maybe made enemies, satanic ritual.
The blood messages, the brutality looked occult related. LAPD pursued
(03:48):
every angle, investigated, Sharon's friends, Roman's enemies, Jay's business associates,
Voischik's connections. Found nothing connecting to the murders. Dead ends everywhere. Meanwhile,
the LaBianca case got less attention. No celebrities involved, just
a couple in Los Felise, but detectives noticed helter Skelter
(04:10):
written in blood, misspelling unusual phrase, same as song from
the Beatles White album released the previous year. Two separate
LAPD divisions investigated didn't share information well, didn't realize immediately
how connected the cases were, classic law enforcement communication failure.
(04:30):
The break came from inside prison. Susan Atkins had been
arrested on unrelated charges in October nineteen sixty nine auto theft.
Sitting in sybil Brand Institute for Women awaiting trial, shared
a cell with Virginia Graham. Susan liked to talk. Bragged,
told Virginia about the family, about spawn Ranch, about Charles
(04:52):
Manson being Jesus Christ reincarnated, about murders she'd committed. Virginia
didn't believe her. At first, thought Susan was delusional, making
things up for attention, but Susan kept talking, gave specific
details details only someone present would know. Susan described the
Tate murders, said she'd held Sharon Tate down, stabbed her
(05:15):
sixteen times, described Sharon begging for her baby's life. Susan
told Virginia she said, please let me have my baby.
I don't want to die. And I looked at her
and I said, look, bitch, I don't care. If you're
going to have a baby, you had better be ready.
You're going to die, and I don't feel anything about it.
Susan also said she tasted Sharon Tate's blood, that it
(05:38):
was warm and sticky and nice, that she wrote pig
on the door using Sharon's blood. Virginia Graham was horrified.
This wasn't fantasy, this was confession, she told the authorities. Simultaneously,
Another inmate, Ronnie Howard, also heard Susan's confessions told police
(05:58):
the same stories, consistent details multiple witnesses. LAPD finally had
a lead. December nineteen sixty nine, grand jury convened. Susan
Atkins testified, described everything the planning, the murders, Charles Manson's orders,
who participated, how they did it, where they dumped evidence,
(06:20):
arrest warrants issued, LAPD rated spawn Ranch, arrested, Charles Manson,
Tex Watson, Patricia Crenwinkle, Leslie van Houghten, Linda Kasabian, and
several other family members. Tex Watson fled to Texas fought
extradition for nine months. Eventually returned to California for trial.
(06:41):
Tried separately from the others. Linda Kasabian, the getaway driver
who didn't actually kill anyone, made a deal immunity in
exchange for testimony. She'd testify against Manson and the others
tell the jury exactly what happened. Susan Atkins initially planned
a teen testify for the prosecution two, but changed her
(07:03):
mind decided to stay loyal to Charlie. Her grand jury
testimony would be used instead, but the defense fought to
exclude it. Eventually, Susan didn't testify at trial at all.
The trial was set for June nineteen seventy venue Los
Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charles Older, presiding prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi,
(07:27):
ambitious deputy district attorney who'd spent months building an airtight case.
Defense attorneys for each defendant, media from around the world.
Jury selection took months. Nobody in Los Angeles hadn't heard
about the case. Finding impartial jurors was nearly impossible. Eventually,
twelve were seated, seven men, five women, ages ranging from
(07:51):
twenty five to seventy three. June fifteenth, nineteen seventy, trial began,
opening statements scheduled. Charles Manson had other plans. He stood
up in court started reading a statement. Judge Older told
him to sit down. Manson kept reading louder, accusing the
court of railroading him, of denying his rights of staging
(08:13):
a show trial. Judge Older ordered bailiffs to remove him.
Manson resisted, screamed. His three female followers, Susan Patricia Leslie,
stood up started chanting, singing Manson's songs. Bailiffs removed them too.
This set the tone for the next seven months, chaos, disruptions, outbursts.
(08:34):
The trial became a circus, and Charles Manson was the ringleader.
But first he had a message for America, something that
would become iconic, something that defined how the world saw him.
June sixteenth, nineteen seventy, second day of trial, Manson walked
into court. The courtroom gasped. He'd carved an ex into
(08:56):
his forehead between his eyebrows, fresh wound, still bleeding, made
it himself with a razor. Outside court, Manson told reporters
what it meant. I have exed myself from your world.
The next day, Susan Atkins appeared with an ex carved
in her forehead, then Patricia Crenwinkle, then Leslie Van Houghten.
(09:18):
All three had matching exes carved to show solidarity with Charlie,
to show they'd rejected society, to show they were one.
The jury was shielded from seeing the exes. Initially, Judge
Older worried it would prejudice them, but eventually they saw
saw Manson and his followers marked branded united in their
contempt for the legal system. The trial proceeded. Prosecutor Vincent
(09:42):
Bugliosi presented evidence, crime scene photos, blood samples, fingerprints, forensic
evidence linking the defendants to the murders, physical proof they'd
been at Ciello Drive and Waverley Drive. Linda Kessebian testified
for eighteen days, described everything the planning, the drive to
Cielo Drive, watching from outside as her friends murdered five
(10:05):
people the next night at the Labyankas Manson's orders, his
control over the family, his helter skelter theory. The defense
tried to destroy Linda's credibility, called her a drug addict,
a liar, a woman who'd abandoned her children, but Linda
held firm answered every question, described the murders in detail,
(10:28):
never wavered. Other witnesses testified, forensic experts, medical examiners, lap
D detectives, members of the family who'd left, all building
the case that Charles Manson ordered these murders, that Tex, Susan, Patricia,
and Leslie carried them out, that seven people died because
of them. The defense argued Manson didn't kill anyone personally,
(10:52):
wasn't even at Coello Drive, only entered the Labyanka house briefly,
didn't kill the Labyankas himself. How could he be guilty
of murder if he didn't physically commit the acts. Bugliosi
argued conspiracy. Under California law, anyone who conspires to commit
murder is equally guilty. Doesn't matter if they pull the trigger,
(11:14):
if they order the killing, they're murderers. Charles Manson ordered
these killings. Therefore, Charles Manson was a murderer. The jury
would decide, We'll be right back with the courtroom chaos.
President Nixon declaring Manson guilty mid trial, the verdict and
the death sentences that became life sentences. The Manson trial
(11:48):
wasn't just about evidence. It was about control. Charles Manson
spent seven months trying to control the courtroom, control the narrative,
control his followers, control the outcome. He failed, but the
attempt was spectacular. Daily disruptions, Manson would stand without permission,
shout at the judge, call him a puppet, a tool
(12:10):
of the establishment, say the trial was a sham. Judge
Older would order him removed. Bailiffs would drag him out. Susan, Patricia,
and Leslie would stand start singing, chanting, making noise until
they too were removed. Outside the courthouse, more family members gathered.
Squeaky from Manson's most devoted follower, who wasn't charged, led them.
(12:33):
They sat on the sidewalk, carved exes into their foreheads,
sang Manson's songs, held vigils, tried to intimidate witnesses and jurors.
At one point, they brought a sword to court, threatened
violence If Manson was convicted. Security was increased, metal detectors installed,
but the family kept coming every single day, a permanent
(12:55):
presence inside court. The female defendants acted like it was
performance art. They giggled during testimony about murders, laughed when
prosecutors described how Sharon Tate begged for her baby's life,
made jokes, treated it like entertainment. Judge Older threatened them
with contempt, warned they'd be removed permanently if they didn't stop.
(13:16):
They didn't care, kept disrupting. Eventually all three were banned
from attending portions of their own trial watched via closed
circuit TV from holding cells. Manson tried to fire his attorney,
wanted to represent himself. Judge Older denied the request, initially
said Manson wasn't qualified. Manson argued he had a right
(13:38):
to defend himself. Eventually, Judge Older relented allowed Manson to
act as his own attorney, but with court appointed counsel
as backup. Big mistake. Manson used it as a platform
cross examined witnesses with bizarre questions. Asked Linda Kasabian about spirituality,
about love, about whether society was more evil than and individuals.
(14:01):
Nothing about the actual murders, Just philosophy, rambling, manipulation attempts.
July nineteen seventy, Manson decided he wanted to testify. His
attorneys advised against it, said he'd incriminate himself. Manson insisted.
Judge Older allowed it, but not in front of the
(14:21):
jury first, Manson would testify outside their presence. Judge would
determine if it was relevant, then decide if jury could
hear it. Manson testified for hours, rambled, talked about his childhood, prison,
society's failures, how the system created him, how he was
a product of everything wrong with America. Said he didn't
(14:41):
order anyone to kill, said his followers acted on their own,
misunderstood his words, misunderstood helter skelter. These children did what
they believed was right. Manson said, I didn't tell them
to kill anyone. I told them to do what was necessary.
They decided what that meant. Classic psychopath deflection, taking credit
(15:03):
for the family's devotion while denying responsibility for their actions.
Having it both ways. Judge Older ruled most of Manson's
testimony was irrelevant, self serving, not admissible. The jury wouldn't
hear most of it. Manson was furious, screamed at the judge,
said the trial was rigged, that he was being silenced,
(15:26):
removed from court again. August third, nineteen seventy, President Richard
Nixon made a statement to reporters, said Charles Manson was guilty.
Here was a man who was guilty directly or indirectly
of eight murders. Eight murders Nixon counted Charonate's unborn baby.
But more importantly, the president had just declared the defendant
(15:48):
guilty before the jury reached a verdict. Before deliberations mid trial.
The next day, Manson walked into court holding a newspaper
front page headline Manson guilty. Nixon declares, held it up
for the jury to see, made sure everyone saw it,
trying to force a mistrial. Judge Older was furious, questioned
(16:12):
each juror individually, asked if they'd seen the headline, if
it influenced them. All twelve said no, they'd avoided media
coverage as instructed, hadn't seen Nixon's statement, could still be impartial.
Judge Older continued the trial, but he was livid President
Nixon had nearly destroyed the case, nearly forced a mistrial.
(16:33):
After seven months of proceedings, unprecedented presidential interference. Closing arguments
began November nineteen seventy. Vincent Bugliosi spoke for eight hours
over multiple days, methodically laid out the evidence, the timeline,
the witness testimony, the physical proof, the conspiracy, the motive,
(16:54):
helter skelter Bugliosi explained Manson's theory, how he believed the
Beadles were sending him messages through their songs, how he
thought a race war was coming, how he decided to
trigger it himself, how he sent his followers to commit
murders designed to look like black militants did it, how
it all failed, How seven people died for nothing. Charles
(17:15):
Manson is the most dangerous man who ever walked the
face of the earth, Bogliosi told the jury. He ordered
these murders. He's as guilty as if he plunged the
knife himself, more guilty because he corrupted these young people,
turned them into killers, destroyed their humanity. Seven people are
(17:37):
dead because of Charles Manson. The defense argued Manson was
being scapegoated, that Tex Watson was the real killer, that Susan,
Patricia and Leslie made their own choices, that Manson was
just a hippie cult leader whose followers took things too far,
that he didn't order specific murders, that his words were misinterpreted,
(17:58):
but the evidence was over whelming. Linda Kasabian's testimony, forensic proof,
the conspiracy, the planning, the aftermath all pointed to Manson.
Orchestrating everything. January fifteenth, nineteen seventy one, the case went
to the jury, twelve people deciding the fate of four defendants,
(18:19):
seven murder charges each. For nine days, the jury deliberated,
reviewed evidence, debated, discussed. The verdict had to be unanimous,
all twelve agreeing on every count for every defendant. January
twenty fifth, nineteen seventy one, the jury returned guilty on
all counts all four defendants, twenty eight guilty verdicts total.
(18:42):
Charles Manson showed no emotion, just stared straight ahead. His
three female followers smiled, giggled like it was a joke,
like they just won something. The penalty phase began immediately.
Under California law, the same jury that convicted would decide
punishment life in prison or death in the gas chamber.
(19:03):
Prosecution presented aggravating factors, the brutality, the multiple victims, the
lack of remorse, the danger the defendants posed to society
asked for death. Defense presented mitigating factors, difficult childhoods, drug addiction,
Manson's manipulation youth. Susan was twenty three, Patricia was twenty three,
(19:24):
Lesley was twenty one when the murders occurred. Asked for life.
March twenty ninth, nineteen seventy one, the jury recommended death.
All four defendants, Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Crenwinkle, Leslie
van Houghten death in the gas chamber. Judge Older formally
sentenced them April nineteenth, nineteen seventy one. It is the
(19:45):
judgment and sentence of this court that you shall suffer
the death penalty. This penalty is to be inflicted within
the walls of the State Prison at San Quentin in
the manner prescribed by law at such time as the
warden shall direct. Manson smiled, said, you people have no
authority over me. You can take my life, but you
can't touch my soul. You can kill me, but I'll
(20:07):
always be here. His followers sang chanted, celebrated like they'd won,
like death was victory. They were transferred to San Quentin
State Prison death row, awaiting execution. Charles Manson in the
men's section, Susan, Patricia, and Leslie in the women's section,
separated for the first time in years, but they'd never
(20:29):
be executed. February eighteenth, nineteen seventy two, California, Supreme Court
ruled the death penalty unconstitutional. People versus Anderson, all death
(20:51):
sentences in California automatically commuted to life in prison. Charles Manson,
Susan Atkins, Patricia Crenwinkle, Leslie Van Houghton, Tex Watson, convicted
separately in October nineteen seventy one, also sentenced to death,
all now serving life. Manson was furious. He wanted to die,
wanted to be executed, become a martyr, die famous. Instead,
(21:16):
he'd rotten, prison, forgotten, ignored that was worse than death
for someone who craved attention. Over time, Manson changed his
forehead X into a swastika, made himself look more evil,
more shocking, trying to stay relevant, stay famous. It worked.
He remained one of America's most recognizable criminals until his death.
(21:39):
His followers also changed. Susan Atkins found religion, became a
born again Christian, married, wrote books, asked for forgiveness, denied
parole thirteen times. Died in prison September two thousand and
nine brain cancer, aged sixty one. Spent forty years incarcerated.
(21:59):
Patricia cr v Winkle also found religion, expressed remorse, apologized
to victim's families accepted responsibility. Denied parole fifteen times. Still
incarcerated at age seventy seven California Institution for Women, oldest
woman in California prison system, will likely die there. Leslie
(22:21):
Van Houghton, youngest member convicted of LaBianca murders only, was
granted parole in twenty twenty three after fifty three years,
released at age seventy three. Multiple governors had blocked previous
parole grants. Finally released by Governor Gavin Newsom after courts
ruled she deserved freedom. Tex Watson denied parole eighteen times,
(22:43):
most recent hearing in October twenty twenty one. Next eligible
in twenty twenty six. Also found religion, became ordained minister, married,
had four children through conjugal visits before California ended the program.
Still claims he's reformed, Still denied parole, will likely die
(23:04):
in prison. Make it make sense? Four people murdered seven
strangers to start a race war based on Beatles lyrics,
got death sentences commuted to life. Two dead, one released
after fifty three years. Two still imprisoned, all because they
followed Charles Manson. That's day two of our Manson family series.
(23:26):
The trial that lasted seven months, the exes carved into foreheads,
the courtroom chaos, the guilty verdicts, the death sentences commuted
to life. Charles Manson died November nineteenth, twenty seventeen, eighty
three years old, natural causes. Never showed remorse, never apologized,
spent fifty years in prison, giving interviews, writing letters claiming innocence.
(23:50):
Susan Atkins dead in two thousand and nine, Patricia Crenwinkle
still imprisoned. Leslie Van Houghten released in twenty twenty three.
Tex Watson did the nighted parole eighteen times. Tomorrow the
final day, the aftermath. How the Manson murders changed America,
the end of the nineteen sixties, the victims' families fifty
(24:11):
six years later, and Charles Manson's legacy. The cult leader
who became more famous than the Beatles he worshiped. I'm reed, Carter,
this is celebrity trials.
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