Vanessa Richardson

Gary swore he didn't have any money to give them, and that made Bobby angry. But even after he beat Gary to a pulp, he swore he didn't have the kind of money they were after. When Charles found out, he told the group to keep working on Gary until he gave everything up. For almost three days, Bobby Beausoleil beat Gary within an inch of his life. Eventually, Charles told Bobby to kill him.

However Charles felt at that moment, by killing Gary, he realized they had an opportunity to get more than money out of the situation. It was the perfect moment to begin helter-skelter. Remember, Charles was convinced the apocalypse would start with a massive race war. After Gary Hinman was dead, he had Bobby draw a paw print on the wall with Gary's blood, along with the words, Political Piggy.

However Charles felt at that moment, by killing Gary, he realized they had an opportunity to get more than money out of the situation. It was the perfect moment to begin helter-skelter. Remember, Charles was convinced the apocalypse would start with a massive race war. After Gary Hinman was dead, he had Bobby draw a paw print on the wall with Gary's blood, along with the words, Political Piggy.

However Charles felt at that moment, by killing Gary, he realized they had an opportunity to get more than money out of the situation. It was the perfect moment to begin helter-skelter. Remember, Charles was convinced the apocalypse would start with a massive race war. After Gary Hinman was dead, he had Bobby draw a paw print on the wall with Gary's blood, along with the words, Political Piggy.

It was the symbol of the Black Panthers. Charles hoped it would seem like the Black Panthers viciously murdered an innocent white man, and then the uprising would start. Gary's body was discovered three days later on July 31st. But the race war didn't materialize. Charles' plan was falling apart. A few days later, Bobby was pulled over while driving Gary Hinman's stolen car.

It was the symbol of the Black Panthers. Charles hoped it would seem like the Black Panthers viciously murdered an innocent white man, and then the uprising would start. Gary's body was discovered three days later on July 31st. But the race war didn't materialize. Charles' plan was falling apart. A few days later, Bobby was pulled over while driving Gary Hinman's stolen car.

It was the symbol of the Black Panthers. Charles hoped it would seem like the Black Panthers viciously murdered an innocent white man, and then the uprising would start. Gary's body was discovered three days later on July 31st. But the race war didn't materialize. Charles' plan was falling apart. A few days later, Bobby was pulled over while driving Gary Hinman's stolen car.

The police searched it and found a bloody knife in the wheel well. And Bobby matched a fingerprint they'd pulled from the crime scene. He tried to make some excuses, but the cops weren't buying it. Bobby was arrested and charged with murder. When Charles found out, he knew time was of the essence.

The police searched it and found a bloody knife in the wheel well. And Bobby matched a fingerprint they'd pulled from the crime scene. He tried to make some excuses, but the cops weren't buying it. Bobby was arrested and charged with murder. When Charles found out, he knew time was of the essence.

The police searched it and found a bloody knife in the wheel well. And Bobby matched a fingerprint they'd pulled from the crime scene. He tried to make some excuses, but the cops weren't buying it. Bobby was arrested and charged with murder. When Charles found out, he knew time was of the essence.

Bobby wasn't a patient guy, and if Charles couldn't get him out of trouble, there was a good chance he would talk. To get the heat off of Bobby, Charles decided they would do some copycat killings to make it seem like the real killer was still out there. And Charles had the perfect target in mind. Terry Melcher's old house on Cielo Drive.

Bobby wasn't a patient guy, and if Charles couldn't get him out of trouble, there was a good chance he would talk. To get the heat off of Bobby, Charles decided they would do some copycat killings to make it seem like the real killer was still out there. And Charles had the perfect target in mind. Terry Melcher's old house on Cielo Drive.

Bobby wasn't a patient guy, and if Charles couldn't get him out of trouble, there was a good chance he would talk. To get the heat off of Bobby, Charles decided they would do some copycat killings to make it seem like the real killer was still out there. And Charles had the perfect target in mind. Terry Melcher's old house on Cielo Drive.

Now, there's some disagreement over why Charles chose Cielo Drive as the target. Some people think it was a way to get back at Terry Melcher for refusing to give him a record deal. But others have pointed out that Charles likely knew Terry wasn't living there by that point. So maybe he chose it just because it was a house he knew.

Now, there's some disagreement over why Charles chose Cielo Drive as the target. Some people think it was a way to get back at Terry Melcher for refusing to give him a record deal. But others have pointed out that Charles likely knew Terry wasn't living there by that point. So maybe he chose it just because it was a house he knew.

Now, there's some disagreement over why Charles chose Cielo Drive as the target. Some people think it was a way to get back at Terry Melcher for refusing to give him a record deal. But others have pointed out that Charles likely knew Terry wasn't living there by that point. So maybe he chose it just because it was a house he knew.

It was secure, hidden behind a gate, so there was little chance of getting caught in the act or anyone escaping. Either way, whoever was in that house would have a lot of money for them to take to Death Valley. For Charles, that was as good of a reason as any. On August 9, 1969, Charles put a follower named Tex Watson in charge of the operation.

It was secure, hidden behind a gate, so there was little chance of getting caught in the act or anyone escaping. Either way, whoever was in that house would have a lot of money for them to take to Death Valley. For Charles, that was as good of a reason as any. On August 9, 1969, Charles put a follower named Tex Watson in charge of the operation.

It was secure, hidden behind a gate, so there was little chance of getting caught in the act or anyone escaping. Either way, whoever was in that house would have a lot of money for them to take to Death Valley. For Charles, that was as good of a reason as any. On August 9, 1969, Charles put a follower named Tex Watson in charge of the operation.

He was joined by Susan Atkins, who'd been a part of the Gary Hinman murder, along with Patricia Krenwinkel and Linda Kasabian. All were fiercely loyal to Charles, and willing to kill in his name.