The Manson Family Murders

In the summer of 1969, the United States was shocked by a series of brutal murders that were committed by a group of young people who were later identified as members of the Manson Family. The group was led by a charismatic cult leader named Charles Manson, who had convinced his followers that he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and that they were on a mission to start a race war that he called "Helter Skelter." The Manson Family murders, which took place in Los Angeles, California, were some of the most notorious and disturbing crimes in American history.

Background of Charles Manson

Charles Manson was born on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His mother was an unmarried teenager who was unable to care for him, so he was sent to live with various relatives and in juvenile detention centers throughout his childhood. Manson had a troubled upbringing and was frequently in trouble with the law. By the time he was in his mid-20s, he had spent most of his life in prison.

Manson was released from prison in 1967 and moved to San Francisco, where he began to gather a group of followers who were attracted to his magnetic personality and his message of peace, love, and harmony. He called his group "The Family" and they lived together in a commune-like setting, with Manson as their leader.

Manson's Philosophy

Manson's philosophy was a mixture of various spiritual and philosophical beliefs, including Scientology, Satanism, and the teachings of the Beatles. He believed that he was a messiah figure who was destined to lead his followers through a revolution that would bring about a new era of peace and harmony.

Manson believed that there was going to be a race war between blacks and whites, which he called "Helter Skelter." He believed that the blacks would win the war, but that his followers would emerge as the new leaders of the world. He also believed that the Beatles were sending him coded messages in their music, which he interpreted as a sign that they were on his side.

The Murders

On the night of August 8, 1969, Manson ordered four of his followers to go to the house at 10050 Cielo Drive in Los Angeles, where the actress Sharon Tate and her friends were staying. The four followers, Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, Linda Kasabian, and Patricia Krenwinkel, broke into the house and brutally murdered Tate and four others who were present at the time. Tate, who was eight months pregnant, begged for her life before being stabbed to death.

The following night, Manson ordered his followers to go to the home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, where they murdered the couple in a similar manner. Manson and his followers wrote "Helter Skelter" and other messages in blood on the walls of the house.

The Manson Family was arrested and charged with the murders in December 1969. Manson was initially charged with conspiracy to commit murder, but his charges were later changed to first-degree murder after it was determined that he had played a direct role in the killings.

The Trial

The Manson Family trial was one of the most sensational trials in American history. Manson and his followers were charged with seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder. The trial lasted for over nine months and was marked by numerous disruptions and outbursts by Manson and his followers.

During the trial, it was revealed that Manson had ordered the murders as part of his plan to start a race war. Manson believed that the murders would be blamed on African Americans and that this would lead to an all-out war between blacks and whites. Manson thought that his followers would emerge from the chaos as the new leaders of the world.

Manson's defense team argued that he was not directly involved in the murders and that his followers had acted on their own. However, the prosecution presented evidence that Manson had been intimately involved in the planning and execution of the murders.

The trial ended on January 25, 1971, when Manson and three of his followers, Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, and Patricia Krenwinkel, were found guilty of all charges. Manson was sentenced to death, while the other three were sentenced to life in prison.

Aftermath

Manson's death sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972 when the California Supreme Court abolished the death penalty. Manson spent the rest of his life in prison, where he continued to be a notorious figure. He died on November 19, 2017, at the age of 83.

The Manson Family murders had a profound impact on American society. They highlighted the dangers of cults and the charismatic leaders who can manipulate vulnerable individuals into committing heinous acts. The murders also brought attention to the issues of race relations and the tensions that existed in American society in the 1960s.

Conclusion

The Manson Family murders were a dark and disturbing chapter in American history. The brutal killings of Sharon Tate and her friends and the LaBianca couple shocked the nation and brought attention to the dangers of cults and the charismatic leaders who lead them.

Charles Manson's twisted philosophy and his belief in a coming race war that he called "Helter Skelter" led to the deaths of innocent people and had a lasting impact on American society. While Manson and his followers are now gone, their crimes and the lessons learned from them will continue to be studied and remembered for years to come.