• Charles Denton "Tex" Watson,  Charles Manson

    LAPD Probing into Twelve Unsolved Murders Linked to the Charles Manson Family

    Charles Manson Video: Charles Manson Parole Hearing   Parole Denied

    The 2011, aged 77 Charles Manson

    This revelation was mentioned back in May with the Charles “Tex” Watson’s attorney’s bankruptcy case.

    But, now the LAPD is pushing forward with the investigation.

    The Los Angeles Police Department disclosed Thursday that it has open investigations on a dozen unsolved homicides that occurred near places where the Manson family operated during its slew of murders four decades ago.

    The Police Department made the revelation amid a legal battle to obtain hours of audio tapes recorded in 1969 between Charles Manson follower Charles “Tex” Watson and his attorney. The LAPD has said detectives believe tapes could shed more light on the activities of Manson’s group.

    Watson has been fighting to limit the LAPD’s access to the tapes. This month, a federal judge in Texas granted an emergency order preventing the police from executing a search warrant at an office where the tapes are kept.

    LAPD officials did not disclose details of the cases and said the department is examining the murders because they occurred near known Manson hangouts around the city.

    “These cases have circumstances that are similar to some of the Manson killings,” Cmdr. Andy Smith said. “We are hoping that these Tex Watson tapes can provide us further clues on these cases… We are doing this for the families of these victims.”

    Manson and his followers were convicted of killing eight people in a notorious plot to incite a race war that he believed was prophesied in the Beatles song “Helter Skelter.”

    Here is a video report from KNBC, Channel 4, Los Angeles:

    [youtube]http://youtu.be/e7BbeiiPgGM[/youtube]

    The federal bankruptcy court should speedily consider Charles “Tex” Watson’s appeal and rule that the police have the ability to search the tapes.

    Justice demands nothing less.

  • Charles Manson

    New Evidence in Charles Manson Unsolved Murders?

    Perhaps and the bankruptcy hearing of Charles “Tex” Watson’s former attorneys is today.

    North Texas attorney Bill Boyd made a name for himself defending one of the Charles Manson family members in the murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others. The Collin County resident died in 2009 – but he’s back in the news in Los Angeles.

    L.A. police want audio recordings Boyd made of conversations with Manson family member Charles “Tex” Watson, to see if they will shed light on any unsolved slayings. A hearing on the police request is scheduled for Tuesday, according to media reports. Watson, of Copeville, Texas, orchestrated the 1969 Manson slayings. He is still in prison and the recordings came to light when he tried sell them to an author to help pay legal bills.

    Here is a video report from Channel 4 (NBC) in Los Angeles:

  • Charles Manson

    Video: Charles Manson Parole Hearing – Parole Denied

    The 2011, aged 77 Charles Manson

    No surprise that parole was denied.

    A prison panel denied parole Wednesday to mass murderer Charles Manson in his 12th and probably final bid for freedom.

    Manson, now a gray-bearded, 77-year-old, did not attend the hearing where the parole board ruled he had shown no efforts to rehabilitate himself and would not be eligible for parole for another 15 years.

    “This panel can find nothing good as far as suitability factors go,” said John Peck, a member of the panel that met at Corcoran State Prison in Central California.

    Also playing heavily into the board’s decision was something Manson had said recently to one of his prison psychologists that Peck read aloud.

    “‘I’m special. I’m not like the average inmate,”‘ Peck said. “‘I have spent my life in prison. I have put five people in the grave. I am a very dangerous man.”‘

    Peck then spoke for the record directly to Manson, who will receive a transcription of the proceedings: “This panel agrees with that statement.”

    The panel deliberated for 20 minutes before making its decision.

    Here is the video:

    There will probably be no more parole hearings for Charles Manson which is just fine with me and most Californans.

    Manson is lucky to be alive, as he really should have been executed decades ago, except for a legal loophole.

  • Charles Manson,  Vincent Bugliosi

    Video: Charles Manson Up for Parole – Bugliosi Says He Should Stay Behind Bars



    I don’t think a California parole board is going to release Charles Manson.

    When a two-member panel holds a California parole hearing for notorious murderer Charles Manson on Wednesday, he will be represented by state-appointed attorney DeJon R. Lewis, who will urge the state to put Manson in a mental hospital, Lewis told CNN.

    Manson, 77, and Lewis, 45, who was a small boy at the time of the “Manson family” killings in 1969, haven’t yet met. In fact, it is unclear whether Manson will attend the parole hearing, his attorney said.

    “He didn’t come to my interview either, so I have never met him,” Lewis said in an exclusive interview with CNN. “I went to go interview him last month. I asked the correction officers was he coming out of his cell, and they said nope. And I said OK, who’s the next inmate?”

    Former prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, who co-authored “Helter Skelter” and prosecuted Manson and members of his “family,” said he believed Manson won’t be paroled.

    “Look at his two co-defendants right now who are still alive,” he said of Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, who are still imprisoned on life sentences. “He orchestrated and was behind all the murders.

    “It’s preposterous on its face. Basically, it’s a nonissue and not going to happen,” Bugliosi said of the possibility of parole. “Manson knows this. He frequently hasn’t showed up at parole hearings.”

    No hospital for Manson – just let him rot there. He deserves nothing better.

    The video report:

  • Charles Manson

    Charles Manson Scheduled for Parole Hearing Next Week – Says He Won’t Attend

    The 2011, aged 77 Charles Manson

    An exercise in futility, because Charles Manson will die in prison.

    Charles Manson is not expected to attend his parole hearing next week, officials said.

    A parole board will consider Wednesday whether Manson should be released from Corcoran State Prison, though the chance of that happening is slim. The board has rejected parole for Manson 11 times.

    A prison spokeswoman told The Associated Press Thursday that Manson has informed local prison officials that he will not be at the hearing.

    Nonetheless, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said it would vigorously oppose Manson’s release. “We consistently (opposed parole) and will continue to do so,” said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman.

    You remember what Charles Manson and his followers did, right?

    Sharon Tate

    Manson and other members of his so-called family were convicted of killing actress Sharon Tate and six other people during a bloody rampage in the Los Angeles area in August 1969. Prosecutors said that Manson and his followers were trying to incite a race war that he believed was prophesied in the Beatles song “Helter Skelter.”

    Tate, the wife of director Roman Polanski, was 8 1/2 months pregnant when she was killed at the couple’s hilltop home in Benedict Canyon on Aug. 9, 1969. Polanski was out of the country working on a film. Besides Tate, four others were stabbed and shot to death, including Jay Sebring, 35; Voytek Frykowski, 32; Abigail Folger, 25, a coffee heiress; and Steven Parent, 18, a friend of Tate’s caretaker.The word “Pig” was written on the front door in blood.

    The next night, Manson rode with his cohorts to the Los Feliz home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, then left three of them to commit the murders.

    Manson was also convicted of the earlier murder of musician Gary Hinman in his Topanga Canyon home, and the slaying of former stuntman Donald “Shorty” Shea at the Spahn movie ranch in Chatsworth, where Manson had his commune.

    Manson initially was sentenced to death. A 1972 ruling by the California Supreme Court found the state’s death penalty law at the time unconstitutional and his death sentence was changed in 1977 to life in prison.

    Here is a photo of the Sharon Tate murder scene:

    Charlie Manson deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life as do the remaining members of his muderous “family.”

  • Charles Denton "Tex" Watson,  Charles Manson,  Leslie Van Houten

    Maxwell Keith – Attorney for Two of Charles Manson Family Has Died

    Maxwell Keith center
    Photo: Los Angeles Times

    Maxwell represented Charles “Tex” Watson and Leslie Van Houton.

    Maxwell S. Keith, the defense attorney for two members of the Manson family who went to prison for their roles in the grisly 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, died Tuesday of natural causes in the San Luis Obispo County town of Templeton, his family said. He was 87.

    Keith entered the sensational case in December 1970 when he was appointed by the court to replace the attorney for Leslie Van Houten, the former prom queen charged with murdering Leno and Rosemary LaBianca and conspiring to kill Sharon Tate and four others.

    He took over her defense just before closing arguments and had only a few weeks to review more than 18,000 pages of court documents. The trial ended in a hung jury. He remained Van Houten’s attorney during the retrial, which ended in 1978 with her conviction for first-degree murder.

    Keith also represented Charles “Tex” Watson, who in 1971 was convicted of first-degree murder for his involvement in the murders.

    In both cases, Keith argued that his clients had been brainwashed by Manson into committing the heinous crimes.

    He replaced attorney Ronald Hughes, who had disappeared during a rainstorm in Ventura County when the trial was nearing its end. Hughes’ body was found in a creek near his campsite several months later. No signs of foul play were found, but speculation abounded that he was killed after angering the cult leader with his vigorous defense of Van Houten.

    Keith targeted Manson as the mastermind of the crime rampage that resulted in the deaths of seven people, including Tate, the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski.

    But, none the less, despite his arguments both Watson and Van Houten were convicted and sentenced to death (a sentence which was later commuted to life in prison).

  • Charles Manson

    Charles Manson Murderabilia – The Business and Backlash

    To think that these folks correspond with these despicable criminals.

    Some might find it shocking, others despicable and insensitive. Sometimes it’s called true crime memorabilia or murderabilia, artifacts from some of the most vicious crimes ever committed. And you may be surprised or even disgusted by what’s for sale.

    Many of us are guilty of finding something fascinating about true crime stories. But would you collect the finger nail clippings of a serial killer? You can find anything from death art work to prison issued clothing on murderabilia web sites. Who sells this material? How is it gathered? And why is a Houston victim’s rights advocate trying to stop murder for sale.

    There are items like a self portrait of Charles Manson, a painting by Richard Ramirez, serial killer wall calendars, a letter from Atlanta child murderer Wayne Williams, serial killer wall clocks, a letter from Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, serial killer snow globes and a letter from Charles Manson.

    All of these items have something in common, they all commemorate infamous murders. And they’re all for sale. Andy Kahan says, “Crime victims are the only unwilling participants in the criminal justice system.”

    Kahan works for the city of Houston as a victim’s rights advocate. He says, “There’s absolutely nothing more nauseating and disgusting than to find out the person who murdered one of your loved ones now has items being hawked by third parties for pure profit.”

    Pretty despicable stuff.

    But, there are first amendment issues, which I think will be hard to overcome.

  • Charles Denton "Tex" Watson,  Charles Manson,  Leslie Van Houten,  Patricia Krenwinkel,  Sharon Tate,  Susan Atkins

    Updated With Video: Charles Manson Family Accomplice Charles Denton “Tex” Watson Denied Parole

    Charles Denton “Tex “Watson – Charlie Manson’s Right-Hand Man

    And, rightly so.

    Charles Denton “Tex” Watson, one of the chief participants in the Manson Family murders in the summer of 1969, will stay in prison at least another five years, the California Board of Parole Hearings announced Wednesday.

    Watson, 65, was denied parole for the 16th time, the board said, and will not be considered again until 2016.

    Watson, along with Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Linda Kasabian were convicted in 1971 of murder and sentenced to death for the killings of five people, including the eight-months pregnant movie actress Sharon Tate, on the night of August 9, 1969. They and their leader, Charles Manson, were convicted and sentenced for stabbing Leno and Rosemary La Bianca to death the night after the Tate killings.

    Sharon Tate

    “Tex” Watson who is known as Charlie Manson’s right-hand man physically committed the murders at the homes of Sharon Tate and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Susan Atkins was present with Watson at both murder scenes. Atkins died in prison in 2009.

    Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel also a Tate/La Bianca murder accomplice remains in prison and was denied parole earlier this year. Leslie Van Houten also remains in California prison.

    Linda Kasabian, who also was present at both murder scenes was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying against Manson and his family of followers.

    Watson was convicted in 1971 of seven counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.

    He will be considered for another parole review in five years, prison officials said.

    Family members of Watson’s murder victims attended the hearing on Wednesday at Mule Creek State Prison in rural Ione, California, where he is held on a sentence of life with the possibility of parole, said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

    Charles Denton “Tex” Watson should have been executed decades ago along with Charles Manson and the rest of his scumbag followers. It is only because of the California Supreme Court’s decision, People V. Anderson that outlawed the death penalty (for a time) that saved his sorry ass from the gas chamber.

    Like Susan Atkins, Watson should NEVER be released and should die in prison. Here is one of the murder scene photos (Sharon Tate lies in her own blood):

    Charles Manson’s next parole hearing may be coming up in 2012.

  • Charles Denton "Tex" Watson,  Charles Manson,  Leslie Van Houten,  Patricia Krenwinkel,  Sharon Tate,  Susan Atkins

    Charles Manson Family Accomplice Charles Denton “Tex” Watson Denied Parole

    Charles Denton “Tex “Watson – Charlie Manson’s Right-Hand Man

    And, rightly so.

    Charles Denton “Tex” Watson, one of the chief participants in the Manson Family murders in the summer of 1969, will stay in prison at least another five years, the California Board of Parole Hearings announced Wednesday.

    Watson, 65, was denied parole for the 16th time, the board said, and will not be considered again until 2016.

    Watson, along with Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Linda Kasabian were convicted in 1971 of murder and sentenced to death for the killings of five people, including the eight-months pregnant movie actress Sharon Tate, on the night of August 9, 1969. They and their leader, Charles Manson, were convicted and sentenced for stabbing Leno and Rosemary La Bianca to death the night after the Tate killings.

    Sharon Tate

    “Tex” Watson who is known as Charlie Manson’s right-hand man physically committed the murders at the homes of Sharon Tate and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Susan Atkins was present with Watson at both murder scenes. Atkins died in prison in 2009.

    Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel also a Tate/La Bianca murder accomplice remains in prison and was denied parole earlier this year. Leslie Van Houten also remains in California prison.

    Linda Kasabian, who also was present at both murder scenes was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying against Manson and his family of followers.

    Watson was convicted in 1971 of seven counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.

    He will be considered for another parole review in five years, prison officials said.

    Family members of Watson’s murder victims attended the hearing on Wednesday at Mule Creek State Prison in rural Ione, California, where he is held on a sentence of life with the possibility of parole, said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

    Charles Denton “Tex” Watson should have been executed decades ago along with Charles Manson and the rest of his scumbag followers. It is only because of the California Supreme Court’s decision, People V. Anderson that outlawed the death penalty (for a time) that saved his sorry ass from the gas chamber.

    Like Susan Atkins, Watson should NEVER be released and should die in prison. Here is one of the murder scene photos (Sharon Tate lies in her own blood):

    Charles Manson’s next parole hearing may be coming up in 2012.