Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders Read online

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  Helter Skelter

  BOOKS BY CURT GENTRY

  Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders. Co-author, Vincent Bugliosi

  Second in Command. Co-author, Edward R. Murphy, Jr., executive officer U.S.S. Pueblo

  Operation Overflight. Co-author, U-2 spy pilot Francis Gary Powers

  The Last Days of the Late Great State of California

  The Killer Mountains: A Search for the Legendary Lost Dutchman Mine

  A Kind of Loving. Co-author, Toni Lee Scott

  Frame-Up: The Incredible Case of Tom Mooney and Warren Billings

  The Vulnerable Americans

  John M. Browning, American Gunmaker. Co-author, J. Browning

  The Madams of San Francisco

  Jade: Stone of Heaven. Co-author, Richard Gump

  The Dolphin Guide to San Francisco and the

  Bay Area—Present and Past

  Helter Skelter

  THE TRUE STORY OF THE MANSON MURDERS

  Vincent Bugliosi

  PROSECUTOR OF THE TATE-LABIANCA TRIALS

  WITH CURT GENTRY

  W. W. NORTON & COMPANY

  NEW YORK LONDON

  The excerpts from the Beatles’ songs “Baby, You’re a Rich Man,” “Blackbird,” “Cry Baby Cry,” “Helter Skelter,” “I Will,” “Honey Pie,” “Revolution,” and “Sexy Sadie,” words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, are copyright © 1968 Sony/ATV Tunes LLC. (Renewed) All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN37203. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. “The context surrounding these lyrics is strictly conjecture.”

  Copyright © 1974 by Curt Gentry and Vincent Bugliosi

  Afterword © 1994 by Vincent Bugliosi

  All rights reserved.

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

  Bugliosi, Vincent.

  Helter skelter: the true story of the Manson murders / Vincent Bugliosi, with Curt Gentry.—/with a new afterword by Vincent Bugliosi.

  p. cm.

  Simultaneously published in Canada.

  1. Murder—California—Case studies. 2. Manson, Charles, 1934–.

  I. Gentry, Curt, 1931–. II. Title.

  HV6533.C2B83 1994

  364.'523'0979493—dc20

  94-20957

  ISBN: 978-0-393-07236-5

  W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

  500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10110

  www.wwnorton.com

  W. W. Norton & Company Ltd.

  Castle House, 75/76 Wells Street, London W1T 3QT

  To Gail and Blanche

  CONTENTS

  Illustrations

  Cast of Characters

  PART 1: THE MURDERS

  August 9–October 14, 1969

  PART 2: THE KILLERS

  October 15–November 17, 1969

  PART 3: THE INVESTIGATION—PHASE TWO

  November 18–December 31, 1969

  PART 4: THE SEARCH FOR THE MOTIVE:

  The Bible, the Beatles, and Helter Skelter January–February 1970

  PART 5: “DON’T YOU KNOW WHO YOU’RE CRUCIFYING?”

  March–June 14, 1970

  PART 6: THE TRIAL

  June 15–November 19, 1970

  PART 7: MURDER IN THE WIND

  November 19, 1970–January 25, 1971

  PART 8: FIRES IN YOUR CITIES

  January 26–April 19, 1971

  Epilogue: A Shared Madness

  Afterword

  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 vig
il 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 Colli
ns, 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.