Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
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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.