Vanessa Richardson

It seemed like everyone was paying attention to the Manson trial. The trial was so captivating, it even caught the attention of President Richard Nixon. He was so invested, he made comments about it during a speech on August 3, 1970.

Oh yeah, no doubt. It certainly seemed like everyone wanted to weigh in on the Manson trial. which was why the judge had the jury sequestered, so they wouldn't be influenced by any more media coverage or presidential speeches. There was a lot to consider, especially given the nature of the charges against Charles.

Oh yeah, no doubt. It certainly seemed like everyone wanted to weigh in on the Manson trial. which was why the judge had the jury sequestered, so they wouldn't be influenced by any more media coverage or presidential speeches. There was a lot to consider, especially given the nature of the charges against Charles.

Oh yeah, no doubt. It certainly seemed like everyone wanted to weigh in on the Manson trial. which was why the judge had the jury sequestered, so they wouldn't be influenced by any more media coverage or presidential speeches. There was a lot to consider, especially given the nature of the charges against Charles.

Along with conspiracy to commit murder, he was charged with the murders themselves, which was hard to prove when he didn't lay a hand on any of the victims. And his followers were definitely willing to take the fall for him. In fact, three of them weren't allowed to testify for that very reason. Their lawyers likely didn't want them to take all the blame while Charles got away scot-free.

Along with conspiracy to commit murder, he was charged with the murders themselves, which was hard to prove when he didn't lay a hand on any of the victims. And his followers were definitely willing to take the fall for him. In fact, three of them weren't allowed to testify for that very reason. Their lawyers likely didn't want them to take all the blame while Charles got away scot-free.

Along with conspiracy to commit murder, he was charged with the murders themselves, which was hard to prove when he didn't lay a hand on any of the victims. And his followers were definitely willing to take the fall for him. In fact, three of them weren't allowed to testify for that very reason. Their lawyers likely didn't want them to take all the blame while Charles got away scot-free.

In the end, the jury didn't either. When they reached their verdict on January 25th, 1971, Charles was found guilty, along with the three followers who'd committed the murders on his behalf. But Charles wasn't ready to give up, not by a long shot. There was still a lot at stake. The trial was now in the penalty phase, which meant guilt and innocence were no longer in question.

In the end, the jury didn't either. When they reached their verdict on January 25th, 1971, Charles was found guilty, along with the three followers who'd committed the murders on his behalf. But Charles wasn't ready to give up, not by a long shot. There was still a lot at stake. The trial was now in the penalty phase, which meant guilt and innocence were no longer in question.

In the end, the jury didn't either. When they reached their verdict on January 25th, 1971, Charles was found guilty, along with the three followers who'd committed the murders on his behalf. But Charles wasn't ready to give up, not by a long shot. There was still a lot at stake. The trial was now in the penalty phase, which meant guilt and innocence were no longer in question.

It was time to determine punishment. And the defendants were facing the death penalty. Charles and his followers were all free to plead their cases for a lesser sentence. It was a pivotal moment, the last chance for the Manson family to turn on their leader. If they argued that he'd brainwashed them or made them do it, they might be able to save their lives.

It was time to determine punishment. And the defendants were facing the death penalty. Charles and his followers were all free to plead their cases for a lesser sentence. It was a pivotal moment, the last chance for the Manson family to turn on their leader. If they argued that he'd brainwashed them or made them do it, they might be able to save their lives.

It was time to determine punishment. And the defendants were facing the death penalty. Charles and his followers were all free to plead their cases for a lesser sentence. It was a pivotal moment, the last chance for the Manson family to turn on their leader. If they argued that he'd brainwashed them or made them do it, they might be able to save their lives.

Instead, they did exactly what Charles wanted, and chose to sacrifice themselves. And it wasn't just Charles' co-defendants speaking up for him, either. At least eight members of the Manson family who weren't involved in the murders came to his defense. They all claimed he had nothing to do with the murders.

Instead, they did exactly what Charles wanted, and chose to sacrifice themselves. And it wasn't just Charles' co-defendants speaking up for him, either. At least eight members of the Manson family who weren't involved in the murders came to his defense. They all claimed he had nothing to do with the murders.

Instead, they did exactly what Charles wanted, and chose to sacrifice themselves. And it wasn't just Charles' co-defendants speaking up for him, either. At least eight members of the Manson family who weren't involved in the murders came to his defense. They all claimed he had nothing to do with the murders.

And in the end, their devotion didn't really matter. The jury had already determined that Charles was guilty, and nothing they heard from Charles' followers changed their minds. When they were sent to deliberate on March 26, 1971, it only took them a few hours to come to a decision. All the defendants were sentenced to death. Even with Charles behind bars, the world didn't forget about him.

And in the end, their devotion didn't really matter. The jury had already determined that Charles was guilty, and nothing they heard from Charles' followers changed their minds. When they were sent to deliberate on March 26, 1971, it only took them a few hours to come to a decision. All the defendants were sentenced to death. Even with Charles behind bars, the world didn't forget about him.

And in the end, their devotion didn't really matter. The jury had already determined that Charles was guilty, and nothing they heard from Charles' followers changed their minds. When they were sent to deliberate on March 26, 1971, it only took them a few hours to come to a decision. All the defendants were sentenced to death. Even with Charles behind bars, the world didn't forget about him.

He received hundreds of letters a day. They contained all sorts of messages. Admiration and love, but also death threats. For someone on death row, that wasn't exactly something to worry about. But about a year later, on February 18, 1972, the state of California abolished the death penalty, and Charles' situation suddenly changed.