Helter Skelter Read online

  Helter Skelter

  Vincent Bugliosi

  Curt Gentry

  Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial, Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider’s position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the twentieth century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Here is the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime.

  Both Helter Skelter and Vincent Bugliosi’s subsequent Till Death Us Do Part won Edgar Allan Poe Awards for best true-crime book of the year.

  The story behind the Manson killings explains how Charles Manson was able to make his “family” murder for him, chronicles the investigation and court trial that brought him to justice, and provides a new afterword that looks at where the killers are today. Reprint.

  Vincent Bugliosi

  Prosecutor of the Tate-Labianca Trials

  with Curt Gentry

  HELTER SKELTER

  The True Story of the Manson Murders

  To Gail and Blanche

  ILLUSTRATIONS

  THE MURDERS Following page 142

  Map of Los Angeles and vicinity

  Map of Death Valley and vicinity

  Aerial view of 10050 Cielo Drive

  Entrance to Tate residence

  Scale diagram of Tate residence

  Steven Earl Parent

  Driveway leading to Tate residence

  Abigail Folger and Voytek Frykowski

  Walkway in front of Tate residence

  Lettering on front door of Tate residence

  Living room of Tate residence

  Jay Sebring

  Sharon Tate

  Loft over living room of Tate residence

  Knife found in chair of Tate living room

  Folger-Frykowski bedroom at Tate residence

  Sharon Tate’s bedroom

  Door leading to swimming pool at Tate residence

  Guest house behind Tate residence

  Aerial view of LaBianca residence

  Lettering on walls of LaBianca residence

  Living room of LaBianca residence

  Bedroom of LaBianca residence

  Leno LaBianca

  Rosemary LaBianca

  Lettering on wall of Hinman residence

  Gary Hinman

  Donald “Shorty” Shea

  John Philip Haught, aka Zero

  Ronald Hughes

  THE MANSON FAMILY ALBUM

  Charles Milles Manson

  Manson at time of Spahn raid, August 1969

  Manson at time of Barker raid, October 1969

  Life cover photograph of Manson

  Charles “Tex” Watson

  Susan Denise Atkins, aka Sadie Mae Glutz

  Leslie Van Houten

  Patricia Krenwinkel, aka Katie

  Robert “Bobby” Beausoleil

  Mary Theresa Brunner

  Steven Grogan, aka Clem

  Bruce McGregor Davis

  Lynette Fromme, aka Squeaky

  Sandra Good, aka Sandy

  Nancy Pitman, aka Brenda McCann

  Catherine Gillies

  Ruth Ann Moorehouse, aka Ouisch

  Catherine Share, aka Gypsy

  FROM SPAHN’S MOVIE RANCH TO DEATH VALLEY Following page 340

  Aerial view and main buildings of Spahn Ranch

  George Spahn with Gypsy

  Danny DeCarlo, Charles Manson, Robert Reinhard, and Juan Flynn at time of Spahn raid

  Raid on Spahn Ranch

  Submachine gun seized during Spahn raid

  Straight Satans’ sword in special scabbard on Manson’s dune buggy

  Terrain leading to Barker Ranch

  Barker Ranch

  Manson girls arrested during Barker raid

  Cabinet under bathroom sink at Barker Ranch

  Manuscript of song lyric by Manson seized during Barker raid

  THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

  Fingerprints found at Tate residence

  Clothing discarded by Tate killers

  Gun used by Watson in Tate killings

  Gun flyer sent out by LAPD

  “Helter Skelter” door found at Spahn Ranch

  THE PEOPLE VS. CHARLES MANSON

  Prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi

  Ronnie Howard

  Linda Kasabian

  Juan Flynn during interview with Bugliosi

  Paul Crockett, Paul Watkins, and Brooks Poston

  Kitty Lutesinger

  Al Springer

  Danny DeCarlo

  Dianne Lake, aka Snake

  Barbara Hoyt

  Stephanie Schram

  Charles Manson

  Press coverage of Manson trial

  Underground press coverage of trial

  Manson’s application for a credit card during trial

  A Manson doodle

  Caricature of Bugliosi by Susan Atkins and Leslie Van Houten

  Prosecutor Bugliosi

  Irving Kanarek

  Charles “Tex” Watson

  Sandy, Ouisch, Cathy, and Mary in vigil outside Hall of Justice during trial

  Squeaky, Sandy, Ouisch, and Cathy with X’s on foreheads

  Crystal, Mary, and Kitty with shaved heads after verdicts

  Charles Manson on way to San Quentin after conviction

  The Manson Family children Page 460

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT (LAPD) Tate Case Detectives:

  Helder, Robert J., Lieutenant, Supervisor of Investigations. Headed Tate investigation.

  Buckles, Jess, Sergeant.

  Calkins, Robert, Sergeant.

  McGann, Michael J., Sergeant.

  Assisted in Tate Investigation:

  Boen, Jerrome, Latent Prints Section, SID.

  Burbridge, Robert, Officer.

  Burdick, A. H., Lieutenant. Polygraph examiner, SID.

  Clements, Wendell. Civilian fingerprint expert.

  Deemer, Earl, Lieutenant.

  DeRosa, Jerry Joe, Officer.

  Dorman, D. E., Officer.

  Galindo, Danny, Sergeant. Also assisted in LaBianca investigation.

  Girt, D. L. Latent Prints Section, SID.

  Granado, Joe. Forensic chemist, SID. Also assisted in LaBianca investigation.

  Henderson, Ed, Sergeant.

  Kamadoi, Gene, Sergeant.

  Lee, William, Sergeant. Ballistics expert, SID.

  Madlock, Robert C., Lieutenant.

  Varney, Dudley, Sergeant.

  Whisenhunt, William T., Officer.

  Wolfer, DeWayne. Criminalist, SID.

  LaBianca Case Detectives:

  LePage, Paul, Lieutenant. Headed LaBianca investigation.

  Broda, Gary, Sergeant.

  Gutierrez, Manuel “Chick,” Sergeant.

  Nielsen, Michael, Sergeant.

  Patchett, Frank, Sergeant.

  Sartuchi, Philip, Sergeant.

  Assisted in LaBianca Investigation:

  Claborn, J., Sergeant. Latent Prints Section, SID.

  Cline, Edward L., Sergeant.

  Dolan, Harold, Sergeant. Latent Prints Section, SID.

  Rodriquez, W. C., Officer.

  Toney, J. C., Officer.

  LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE (LASO) Assigned to the Hinman Investigation:

  Guenther, Charles, Sergeant.

  Whiteley, Paul, Sergeant.

  LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

  Bugliosi, Vincent T., Deputy District Attorney. Prosecuted the Tate-LaBianca killers.

  Kay, Steven, and Musich, Donald, Deputy District Attorneys. Brought in to assist
Bugliosi after Stovitz was taken off the case.

  Stovitz, Aaron, head of the Trials Division. Co-prosecutor of Manson and the three female defendants until taken off the case shortly after the start of the trial.

  INYO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

  Fowles, Frank, Inyo County District Attorney.

  Gardiner, Jack, Investigator.

  Gibbens, Buck, Deputy District Attorney.

  DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

  Ball, Joseph. Interviewed Charles Manson and found him competent to represent himself.

  Barnett, Donald. Leslie Van Houten’s first attorney was replaced by Marvin Part.

  Boyd, Bill. Charles Watson’s Texas attorney.

  Bubrick, Sam. With Maxwell Keith, defended Charles “Tex” Watson.

  Caballero, Richard. Susan Atkins’ attorney from November 1969 to March 1970.

  Fitzgerald, Paul. First Charles Manson’s lawyer, he later quit the Public Defender’s Office to represent Patricia Krenwinkel.

  Fleischman, Gary. Linda Kasabian’s attorney.

  Hollopeter, Charles. Charles Manson’s attorney for a very brief period.

  Hughes, Ronald. Once Charles Manson’s “hippie lawyer,” he later defended Leslie Van Houten, up until the time he was murdered by the Family.

  Kanarek, Irving. Replaced Ronald Hughes as Charles Manson’s lawyer.

  Keith, Maxwell. Assigned by the Court to represent Leslie Van Houten after the disappearance of Ronald Hughes; also, with Sam Bubrick, defended Charles “Tex” Watson.

  Part, Marvin. Leslie Van Houten’s attorney for a brief period; was replaced by Ira Reiner.

  Reiner, Ira. Replaced Marvin Part as Leslie Van Houten’s attorney; was replaced by Ronald Hughes.

  Salter, Leon. Robert “Bobby” Beausoleil’s attorney.

  Shinn, Daye. Replaced Richard Caballero as Susan Atkins’ attorney.

  MANSON FAMILY MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES

  Manson, Charles Milles, aka Jesus Christ, God, Soul, the Devil, Charles Willis Manson. Leader of the Family and mass murderer.

  Alonzo, Maria, aka Crystal. Released after the murder of Lauren Willett, she was later arrested in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap a foreign diplomat.

  Atkins, Susan Denise, aka Sadie Mae Glutz, Sexy Sadie, Sharon King, Donna Kay Powell. Involved in the Hinman, Tate, and LaBianca murders.

  Bailey, Edward Arthur. Associated with the Family. May have seen Manson kill a man in Death Valley.

  Bailey, Ella Jo, aka Yellerstone. Left Family after learning of the Hinman murder.

  Bailey, Lawrence Edward, aka Larry Jones. Present when Tate killers left Spahn Ranch; involved in the Hawthorne shootout.

  Baldwin, Linda. Alias used by Family member Madaline Joan Cottage.

  Bartell, Susan Phyllis, aka Country Sue. Present when Zero allegedly “committed suicide while playing Russian roulette.”

  Beausoleil, Robert Kenneth “Bobby,” aka Cupid, Jasper, Cherub, Robert Lee Hardy, Jason Lee Daniels. Involved in the Hinman murder.

  Big Patty. Alias used by Family member Patricia Krenwinkel.

  Brown, Kenneth Richard, aka Scott Bell Davis. Associated with the Family; friend of Zero.

  Brunner, Mary Theresa, aka Marioche, Och, Mother Mary, Mary Manson, Linda Dee Moser, Christine Marie Euchts. First girl to join the Manson Family; had a son by Manson; involved in the Hinman murder and the Hawthorne shootout.

  Capistrano. Alias used by Family member Catherine Gillies.

  Clem. Alias used by Family member Steve Grogan.

  Como, Kenneth, aka Jesse James. Escaped convict; associated with Manson Family; involved in Hawthorne shootout.

  Cooper, Priscilla. Pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in the murder of Lauren Willett.

  Cooper, Sherry Ann, aka Simi Valley Sherri. Fled Barker Ranch with Barbara Hoyt.

  Cottage, Madaline Joan, aka Little Patty, Linda Baldwin. Present when Zero died.

  Country Sue. Alias used by Family member Susan Bartell.

  Craig, James. State prison escapee; associated with Manson Family; pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in the murders of both James and Lauren Willett.

  Cravens, Larry. Family member.

  Crystal. Alias used by Family member Maria Alonzo.

  Cupid. Alias used by Family member Robert “Bobby” Beausoleil.

  Davis, Bruce McGregor, aka Bruce McMillan. Involved in the Hinman and Shea murders; present when Zero died; suspect in three other deaths.

  DeCarlo, Daniel Thomas, aka Donkey Dan, Daniel Romeo, Richard Allen Smith. Straight Satan motorcycle gang member; associated with the Family; later became a reluctant, but important, prosecution witness.

  Donkey Dan. Name given to Daniel DeCarlo by Manson Family girls.

  Flynn, John Leo “Juan.” Spahn ranch hand; associated with the Family; testified to an extremely incriminating admission by Manson.

  Fromme, Lynette Alice, aka Squeaky, Elizabeth Elaine Williamson. One of the earliest Manson Family members; became the Family’s ex-officio leader after Manson was arrested.

  Gillies, Catherine Irene, aka Capistrano, Cappy, Catherine Myers, Patricia Anne Burke, Patti Sue Jardin. Family member; granddaughter

  of the owner of Myers Ranch; wanted to go along the night of the LaBianca murders but wasn’t needed; present when Zero died.

  Glutz, Sadie Mae. Alias used by Family member Susan Atkins.

  Good, Sandra Collins, aka Sandy. Married name Mrs. Joel Pugh. Family member.

  Goucher, William. Associated with the Manson Family; involved in the murder of James Willett.

  Grogan, Steven Dennis, aka Clem Tufts. Involved in the Hinman and Shea murders; was with the killers the night the LaBiancas were killed; involved in the attempted murder of prosecution witness Barbara Hoyt.

  Gypsy. Alias used by Family member Catherine Share.

  Haught, John Philip, aka Zero, Christopher Jesus. Officially “committed suicide while playing Russian roulette”; was probably murdered.

  Hinman, Gary. Befriended the Manson Family; was murdered by them.

  Hoyt, Barbara, aka Barbara Rosenburg. Fled the Family before the Barker Ranch raid; became prosecution witness; Family attempted to murder her with an LSD-laden hamburger.

  Jones, Larry. Alias used by Family member Lawrence Bailey.

  Kasabian, Linda Drouin. Accompanied the killers on the nights of the Tate and LaBianca murders; star witness for the prosecution.

  Katie. Alias used by Family member Patricia Krenwinkel.

  Knoll, George, aka 86 George. President Straight Satans motorcycle gang. Gave Manson the club sword which was later used in the Hinman slaying and taken along the night the LaBiancas were killed.

  Krenwinkel, Patricia Dianne, aka Katie, Marnie Reeves, Big Patty, Mary Ann Scott. Involved in the Tate and LaBianca murders.

  Lake, Dianne Elizabeth, aka Snake, Dianne Bluestein. Joined Manson at age 13; became a witness for the prosecution.

  Lane, Robert, aka Soupspoon. Arrested in Barker Ranch raid.

  Little Patty. Alias used by Family member Madaline Joan Cottage.

  Lovett, Charles Allen. Family member involved in the Hawthorne shootout.

  Lutesinger, Kitty. Robert “Bobby” Beausoleil’s girl friend; fled the Family, then returned to it.

  McCann, Brenda. Alias used by Family member Nancy Laura Pitman.

  Marioche. Alias used by Family member Mary Brunner.

  Minette, Manon. Alias used by Family member Catherine Share.

  Monfort, Michael. State prison escapee; associated with the Manson Family; involved in the murders of both James and Lauren Willett.

  Montgomery, Charles. Alias used by Family member Charles “Tex” Watson.

  Moorehouse, Dean. Father of Family member Ruth Ann Moorehouse; sometime Manson follower.

  Moorehouse, Ruth Ann, aka Ouisch, Rachel Susan Morse. Involved in the attempted murder of prosecution witness Barbara Hoyt.

  Ouisch. Alias used by Family member Ruth Ann Moor
ehouse.

  Pitman, Nancy Laura, aka Brenda McCann, Brindle, Cydette Perell. Pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in the murder of Lauren Willett.

  Poston, Brooks. Former Family member; supplied the prosecution with important evidence regarding Manson’s bizarre motive for the murders.

  Pugh, Joel. Husband of Family member Sandra Good. Though officially listed as a suicide, he is among the “possible” Manson Family murder victims.

  Rice, Dennis. Involved in the attempted murder of prosecution witness Barbara Hoyt; also involved in the Hawthorne shootout.

  Ross, Mark. Associated with the Family; Zero’s death occurred in his apartment while he was away.

  Sadie. Alias used by Family member Susan Atkins.

  Sankston, Leslie. Alias used by Family member Leslie Van Houten.

  Schram, Stephanie. Fled Barker Ranch with Kitty Lutesinger; testified for the prosecution that Manson was not with her on the nights of the Tate and LaBianca murders.

  Scott, Suzanne, aka Stephanie Rowe. Family member.

  Share, Catherine, aka Gypsy, Manon Minette. Participated in the “cleanup” following the Shea murder; involved in the Hawthorne shootout.

  Simi Valley Sherri. Alias used by Family member Sherry Ann Cooper.

  Sinclair, Collie, aka Beth Tracy. Family member arrested in Barker raid.

  Smith, Claudia Leigh, aka Sherry Andrews. Family member arrested in Barker raid.

  Snake. Alias used by Family member Dianne Lake.

  Springer, Alan LeRoy. Member Straight Satans motorcycle gang. Manson admitted the Tate murders to him but his statement could not be used as evidence.

  Squeaky. Alias used by Family member Lynette Fromme.

  T. J. the Terrible. Alias used by sometime Family member Thomas Walleman.

  Todd, Hugh Rocky, aka Randy Morglea. Family member arrested in Barker raid.

  True, Harold. Lived at 3267 Waverly Drive, the house next to the LaBianca residence; Manson and other Family members visited him there four or five times.

  Tufts, Clem. Alias used by Family member Steve Grogan.

  Vance, William Joseph “Bill.” Alias of ex-convict David Lee Hamic; associated with the Manson Family.