The true crime book, "Helter Skelter," was written by Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecutor who charged and convicted Charles Manson and four of his followers for the murders of Sharon Tate and her friends, as well as Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. These crimes happened on two consecutive nights and were known as the Tate-LaBianca murders.
For someone born after the Manson murders occurred, and living in a time where it seems nothing is shocking anymore, reading about the sheer depravity and viciousness of these crimes is still horrifying. The youth and susceptibility of the murderers, Manson's followers, was chilling. Their willingness to believe in and follow Manson, someone we think of today as so obviously mad, was disturbing. There were many times throughout the book where I shook my head and said, "These people were crazy!"
This is also a story that continues to raise its head from time to time, even more than 40 years later. Because their death sentences were reduced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, every couple years, one of the Manson Family comes up for parole, even Charles Manson himself is eligible.
Bruce Davis was recently recommended for parole by the California Parole Board. Davis was not one of the murderers at the Tate-Labianca crime scenes, but he did participate in related murders during the same timeframe. The final decision of parole rests with the California governor.
The trial of Charles Manson and three of his followers for the Tate-LaBianca murders was filled with unusual occurrences and mysteries.
One of the defense attorneys went missing in the middle of trial, and his body was later found wedged between two boulders in a place he often camped. Although never proven, it was rumored that the Manson Family killed him for disobeying Manson when it came to trial strategy.
Several prosecution witnesses were threatened, and at least two had family members attempt to kill them.
Manson charged the judge at one point in the proceedings, prompting the judge to begin carrying a gun under his robe. The three female defendants on trial with Manson often mimicked him and moved and spoke in unison.
The defense rested without calling any witnesses, to which the three female defendants objected, stating they wanted to testify and absolve Manson of any participation in planning the murders.
Manson carved an "X" on his forehead, and the next day, his three co-defendants had done the same.
These acts by Manson's three co-defendants served to support the prosecution's theory that Manson was the puppeteer behind all their crimes. Although he did not wield the deadly knives that took the lives of seven innocent people, Manson was responsible as the one who planned and ordered the killings.
There was at least one notable difference between the 1970-1971 trial described in Helter Skelter and the typical murder trial today. Author Bugliosi describes the discovery of a knife on a Manson Family member in the courtroom. Shortly afterward, metal detectors were erected outside the courtroom, through which anyone wanting to enter had to pass. Of course, today I don't know if there's a courthouse left in the country without permanent metal detectors at the front doors. There certainly are not any in L.A. Indeed, the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles has extra metal detectors and security through which any spectator has to pass on the ninth floor - where particularly notable or dangerous cases are tried.
The title of the book, Helter Skelter, was taken from the motive for the murders. Manson believed that a race war was imminent, and he told his followers that Blacks would win that war. However, they would not know how to lead, and would turn to him to lead the post-war world. (Manson and his Family would hide out during the war in a secret city beneath Death Valley.)
This is also a story that continues to raise its head from time to time, even more than 40 years later. Because their death sentences were reduced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, every couple years, one of the Manson Family comes up for parole, even Charles Manson himself is eligible.
Bruce Davis was recently recommended for parole by the California Parole Board. Davis was not one of the murderers at the Tate-Labianca crime scenes, but he did participate in related murders during the same timeframe. The final decision of parole rests with the California governor.
The trial of Charles Manson and three of his followers for the Tate-LaBianca murders was filled with unusual occurrences and mysteries.
One of the defense attorneys went missing in the middle of trial, and his body was later found wedged between two boulders in a place he often camped. Although never proven, it was rumored that the Manson Family killed him for disobeying Manson when it came to trial strategy.
Several prosecution witnesses were threatened, and at least two had family members attempt to kill them.
Manson charged the judge at one point in the proceedings, prompting the judge to begin carrying a gun under his robe. The three female defendants on trial with Manson often mimicked him and moved and spoke in unison.
The defense rested without calling any witnesses, to which the three female defendants objected, stating they wanted to testify and absolve Manson of any participation in planning the murders.
Manson carved an "X" on his forehead, and the next day, his three co-defendants had done the same.
These acts by Manson's three co-defendants served to support the prosecution's theory that Manson was the puppeteer behind all their crimes. Although he did not wield the deadly knives that took the lives of seven innocent people, Manson was responsible as the one who planned and ordered the killings.
There was at least one notable difference between the 1970-1971 trial described in Helter Skelter and the typical murder trial today. Author Bugliosi describes the discovery of a knife on a Manson Family member in the courtroom. Shortly afterward, metal detectors were erected outside the courtroom, through which anyone wanting to enter had to pass. Of course, today I don't know if there's a courthouse left in the country without permanent metal detectors at the front doors. There certainly are not any in L.A. Indeed, the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles has extra metal detectors and security through which any spectator has to pass on the ninth floor - where particularly notable or dangerous cases are tried.
The title of the book, Helter Skelter, was taken from the motive for the murders. Manson believed that a race war was imminent, and he told his followers that Blacks would win that war. However, they would not know how to lead, and would turn to him to lead the post-war world. (Manson and his Family would hide out during the war in a secret city beneath Death Valley.)
Manson believed The Beatles "White Album," which had recently been released in 1968, contained hidden messages telling people to begin the race war. The White Album contains a song titled "Helter Skelter."
When the war did not begin, Manson became impatient and told his followers they would have to show Black people how to do it. The prosecution's theory was that the Tate-LaBiance murders were intended to look like Black people had committed the crimes, which would start the race war.
The author/prosecutor Bugliosi exposes many fumbles by LAPD, particularly by the old guard within LAPD who were not open to new methods of police investigation and detection. The author's tone throughout the book is a little too self-important for my taste, but not enough to ruin the book.
The bottom line is that the Manson murders are to this day known as some of the most horrific and shocking in history, and with good reason. I highly recommend this book to any lover of true crime. (Click below to get your own copy.)
When the war did not begin, Manson became impatient and told his followers they would have to show Black people how to do it. The prosecution's theory was that the Tate-LaBiance murders were intended to look like Black people had committed the crimes, which would start the race war.
The author/prosecutor Bugliosi exposes many fumbles by LAPD, particularly by the old guard within LAPD who were not open to new methods of police investigation and detection. The author's tone throughout the book is a little too self-important for my taste, but not enough to ruin the book.
The bottom line is that the Manson murders are to this day known as some of the most horrific and shocking in history, and with good reason. I highly recommend this book to any lover of true crime. (Click below to get your own copy.)
Also check out the documentary "Manson," that was released shortly after the book, Helter Skelter, and has interviews with author Bugliosi, several Manson Family members, as well as Charles Manson himself.
Be sure to get your free eBook revealing the Top 7 Mistakes Made by Writers of Crime, Mystery, and Legal Drama.
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