Charles Manson Up for Parole
Charles 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 during two August nights in 1969. Prosecutors said that Manson and his followers were trying to incite a race war that he believed was prophesized in the Beatles’ song “Helter Skelter.”
Twice the the last few years, guards at Corcoran State Prison found phones in the notorious killer’s possession. Manson called people in California, New Jersey and Florida with an LG flip phone found under his prison bunk in March 2009, The Times reported in 2011. A second cellphone was found a year later. Thirty days were added to his sentence for the first offense, officials said.
Earlier, a homemade weapon was found in his possession.
A parole board will consider whether Manson should be released from prison on Wednesday, though the chances of that happening are pretty slim. The board has rejected parole for Manson 11 times before.
Manson, now 77, refused to participate in his last parole hearing, in 2007, describing himself as a “prisoner of the political system.” He also declined to participate in any psychological evaluations that were part of that process.
Manson Murder Victims
Most famous victim, Sharon Tate
Manson before court hearing
A line of spectators hoping for courtroom seats
Manson followers Susan Atkins, left, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten head into a morning court session in 1970. When Manson carved an "X" into his forehead during the trial, his "family" members followed suit.
Courtroom
Via the LA Times.
