Charles Manson

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Charles Manson (November 12, 1934 – November 19, 2017) was an American criminal and cult leader. In the late 1960s, he formed what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune based in California. Manson's followers committed a series of nine murders at four locations in July and August 1969. The most notorious of these was the Tate-LaBianca murders, perpetrated by his followers on his instructions. Manson was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people, including the film actress Sharon Tate. Although he did not personally commit any of the murders, his leadership and influence over his followers were found to be the driving force behind the killings.

Early Life

Charles Milles Manson was born to an unmarried 16-year-old named Kathleen Maddox in Cincinnati, Ohio. Manson never knew his biological father. His mother was often absent, and Manson spent much of his childhood in the homes of relatives or in reform schools. Early in his life, Manson exhibited signs of antisocial behavior and was involved in petty crimes.

Formation of the Manson Family

In the late 1960s, Manson attracted a small but devoted group of followers from among San Francisco's Hippie movement. He preached a philosophy that combined elements of the Bible with those of Scientology and the teachings of the Book of Revelation, claiming that a race war named Helter Skelter, after the Beatles' song, was imminent. Manson and his followers moved to Spahn Ranch, near Los Angeles, which became their base.

The Murders

In August 1969, Manson directed his followers to commit a series of brutal murders, with the aim of starting the prophesied race war. On the night of August 8-9, four of Manson's followers brutally murdered Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and four others at her home. The following night, Manson's followers murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in their home. These murders shocked the nation and were characterized by their extreme brutality.

Trial and Imprisonment

Manson and several of his followers were arrested in late 1969. In 1971, Manson was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1972 when the California Supreme Court invalidated the state's death penalty statutes. Manson spent the rest of his life in prison, where he continued to be a figure of public fascination. He died in 2017 of natural causes.

Legacy

Charles Manson remains one of the most notorious criminals in American history. His ability to manipulate his followers and incite them to commit murder has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries. The Manson Family murders marked the end of the 1960s counterculture era, exposing the dark underbelly of a movement that preached peace and love.