Vanessa Richardson

By the time Charles Manson was 32, he'd spent half his life in a correctional facility, from abusive reform schools to federal prisons. He used that time to become an expert manipulator, using psychological techniques, religion, and his natural charisma to bend people to his will.

By the time Charles Manson was 32, he'd spent half his life in a correctional facility, from abusive reform schools to federal prisons. He used that time to become an expert manipulator, using psychological techniques, religion, and his natural charisma to bend people to his will.

After being released from prison in March 1967, Charles headed for the San Francisco Bay Area, where he started building the cult known as the Manson family. Surrounded by the love and devotion of his followers, he was showered with the attention he'd always wanted. But that wasn't enough for Charles.

After being released from prison in March 1967, Charles headed for the San Francisco Bay Area, where he started building the cult known as the Manson family. Surrounded by the love and devotion of his followers, he was showered with the attention he'd always wanted. But that wasn't enough for Charles.

After being released from prison in March 1967, Charles headed for the San Francisco Bay Area, where he started building the cult known as the Manson family. Surrounded by the love and devotion of his followers, he was showered with the attention he'd always wanted. But that wasn't enough for Charles.

He had big dreams of becoming a famous musician, and that wasn't going to happen in the Bay, so in November 1967, he and a handful of followers bought an old bus and drove it down to LA.

He had big dreams of becoming a famous musician, and that wasn't going to happen in the Bay, so in November 1967, he and a handful of followers bought an old bus and drove it down to LA.

He had big dreams of becoming a famous musician, and that wasn't going to happen in the Bay, so in November 1967, he and a handful of followers bought an old bus and drove it down to LA.

Well, unfortunately for Charles, no amount of self-belief could make up for his lack of musical talent. Even with the backing of his friend, Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson, nobody was willing to give Charles a record deal, including an influential producer named Terry Melcher. His move to L.A. wasn't a total bust, though.

Well, unfortunately for Charles, no amount of self-belief could make up for his lack of musical talent. Even with the backing of his friend, Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson, nobody was willing to give Charles a record deal, including an influential producer named Terry Melcher. His move to L.A. wasn't a total bust, though.

Well, unfortunately for Charles, no amount of self-belief could make up for his lack of musical talent. Even with the backing of his friend, Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson, nobody was willing to give Charles a record deal, including an influential producer named Terry Melcher. His move to L.A. wasn't a total bust, though.

Within a year of getting to L.A., the family had grown to about three dozen people. To keep the group together, Charles moved them to an old Western movie set outside the city called Spahn Ranch in the fall of 1968. The days were filled with ranch working in the morning, LSD trips in the afternoon, and group sex at night. But it wasn't all fun and games.

Within a year of getting to L.A., the family had grown to about three dozen people. To keep the group together, Charles moved them to an old Western movie set outside the city called Spahn Ranch in the fall of 1968. The days were filled with ranch working in the morning, LSD trips in the afternoon, and group sex at night. But it wasn't all fun and games.

Within a year of getting to L.A., the family had grown to about three dozen people. To keep the group together, Charles moved them to an old Western movie set outside the city called Spahn Ranch in the fall of 1968. The days were filled with ranch working in the morning, LSD trips in the afternoon, and group sex at night. But it wasn't all fun and games.

Charles used these activities to remind everyone that he was their undisputed leader, selecting work assignments, overseeing the drug trips, and choosing who slept with who. But throughout it all, he continued to preach the same New Age philosophy that he'd developed in San Francisco. And as winter approached, Charles added something new into the mix.

Charles used these activities to remind everyone that he was their undisputed leader, selecting work assignments, overseeing the drug trips, and choosing who slept with who. But throughout it all, he continued to preach the same New Age philosophy that he'd developed in San Francisco. And as winter approached, Charles added something new into the mix.

Charles used these activities to remind everyone that he was their undisputed leader, selecting work assignments, overseeing the drug trips, and choosing who slept with who. But throughout it all, he continued to preach the same New Age philosophy that he'd developed in San Francisco. And as winter approached, Charles added something new into the mix.

He'd recently become obsessed with The Beatles' latest record, known as The White Album. He was fixated on one track in particular, Helter Skelter. Charles was convinced the song foretold an apocalyptic revolution triggered by a massive race war. Of course, he had a plan to keep his family safe from the violence.

He'd recently become obsessed with The Beatles' latest record, known as The White Album. He was fixated on one track in particular, Helter Skelter. Charles was convinced the song foretold an apocalyptic revolution triggered by a massive race war. Of course, he had a plan to keep his family safe from the violence.

He'd recently become obsessed with The Beatles' latest record, known as The White Album. He was fixated on one track in particular, Helter Skelter. Charles was convinced the song foretold an apocalyptic revolution triggered by a massive race war. Of course, he had a plan to keep his family safe from the violence.