Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Charles Manson

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Charles Manson.

Charles Manson was an American cult leader and criminal who led the Manson Family in the late 1960s. His followers committed a series of murders in July and August 1969, most notably the murder of actress Sharon Tate. Though Manson didn't directly order the killings, he was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in 1971 due to his influence and ideology. The Manson Family's crimes remain a notorious part of American criminal history.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

August 1, 1939: Arrest of Kathleen and Luther Maddox

On August 1, 1939, Kathleen and Luther Elbert Maddox were arrested for assault and robbery, and sentenced to five and ten years of imprisonment, respectively.

1948: Manson commits first documented crime

In 1948, Charles Manson committed his first documented crime by robbing a grocery store in Indianapolis.

February 1951: Manson escapes Indiana Boys School

In February 1951, Manson escaped from the Indiana Boys School with two other boys and robbed filling stations while attempting to drive to California in stolen cars.

March 1956: Manson Arrested in Indianapolis

In March 1956, Charles Manson was arrested in Indianapolis for failing to appear at a Los Angeles hearing on an identical charge filed in Florida.

September 1959: Manson pleads guilty to check forgery

In September 1959, Charles Manson pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to cash a forged U.S. Treasury check.

April 1960: Indictment for violation of the Mann Act

In April 1960, Charles Manson was indicted for violation of the Mann Act after he disappeared in violation of his probation.

1965: Parent killed at Cielo Drive

Headlights approached the group from within the property, and Watson ordered the women to lie in the bushes. He stepped out and ordered the approaching driver, Parent, to halt. Watson leveled a .22 caliber revolver at Parent, who begged him not to hurt him, claiming that he would not say anything. Watson lunged at Parent with a knife, giving him a defensive slash wound on the palm of his hand that severed tendons and tore the boy's watch off his wrist, then shot him four times in the chest and abdomen, killing him in the front seat of his white 1965 AMC Ambassador coupe. Watson ordered the women to help push the car up the driveway.

July 31, 1967: Manson arrested for obstructing arrest

On July 31, 1967, Manson was arrested for attempting to prevent the arrest of one of his followers, Ruth Ann Moorehouse. The charge was reduced, and he received three additional years of probation.

1967: Manson moves to Berkeley and is transferred to new probation officer

In 1967, less than a month after his release, Manson moved to Berkeley and was transferred to the supervision of Roger Smith, a federal probation officer. Smith worked at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic.

March 22, 1968: Matthew Roberts Birth

On March 22, 1968, Matthew Roberts was born. His biological mother, a former member of the Manson Family, claimed she was raped by Manson and left the group to give birth, later putting Roberts up for adoption.

April 1968: Manson attracts followers through drug use and unconventional practices

By the end of his stay in the Haight in April 1968, Manson had attracted twenty or so followers through the use of LSD and unconventional sexual practices, under the supervision of Roger Smith at the HAFMC.

July 1968: Manson avoids prosecution after bus crash

In July 1968, Manson avoided prosecution after he and the family were arrested when their bus crashed; Manson and his family were found sleeping naked by police. He was again arrested and released on a drug charge a few days later.

1968: The Beatles' eponymous album

In 1968, the Beatles released their eponymous album, which Manson interpreted to guide his actions.

1968: Manson adopts term "Helter Skelter"

In late-1968, Manson adopted the term "Helter Skelter", taken from a song on the Beatles' recently released White Album, to refer to the upcoming apocalyptic race war he envisioned.

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1968: Manson frequents Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic

Until the spring of 1968, Manson and his family frequented the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic, where Roger Smith and David Smith were studying the effects of drugs on the counterculture movement. Manson and his followers became subjects of their research.

July 1, 1969: Manson shoots Bernard Crowe

On July 1, 1969, Manson shot Bernard "Lotsapoppa" Crowe at Manson's Hollywood apartment after Crowe threatened everyone at Spahn Ranch. Manson believed he had killed Crowe.

July 1969: Hinman held hostage and murdered

In late July 1969, Manson sent Atkins, Brunner, and Beausoleil to Gary Hinman's home to get his assets. They held Hinman hostage for two days. Manson arrived with a sword and slashed Hinman, after which Beausoleil stabbed Hinman to death, allegedly on Manson's instruction.

July 25, 1969: Death of Gary Hinman

On July 25, 1969, Musician Gary Hinman dies which leads to Manson's conviction of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County Court for the July 25, 1969, death of musician Gary Hinman.

August 6, 1969: Beausoleil arrested for Hinman murder

On August 6, 1969, Beausoleil was arrested after being caught driving Hinman's car. Police found the murder weapon in the tire well.

August 8, 1969: Watson takes Atkins, Krenwinkel and Kasabian to Cielo Drive

On the night of August 8, 1969, Tex Watson took Atkins, Krenwinkel, and Linda Kasabian to 10050 Cielo Drive, instructed by Manson to "totally destroy" everyone in it.

August 9, 1969: Tate Murders Became National News

On August 9, 1969, the Tate murders became national news after the Polanskis' housekeeper, Winifred Chapman, arrived for work and discovered the crime scene.

August 11, 1969: Garretson Released as Tate Suspect

On August 11, 1969, Garretson, held briefly as a suspect in the Tate case, was released after a polygraph examination indicated he had not been involved in the crimes.

August 12, 1969: LAPD Rules Out Connection Between Tate and LaBianca Homicides

On August 12, 1969, the LAPD told the press it had ruled out any connection between the Tate and LaBianca homicides.

August 1969: Death of Donald Shea

In August 1969, Donald Shea died, leading to Manson's conviction of first-degree murder.

August 1969: Manson Family Murders

In August 1969, the Manson Family committed a series of at least nine murders at four locations.

August 26, 1969: Donald Jerome "Shorty" Shea murdered

On August 26, 1969, Donald Jerome "Shorty" Shea was murdered on Manson's orders by Bruce Davis, Tex Watson, and Steve Grogan at the Spahn Ranch. They stabbed and brutally tortured him to death.

September 1, 1969: Revolver Used in Murders Found

On September 1, 1969, the .22-caliber Hi Standard "Buntline Special" revolver used by Watson in the murders was found and given to the police by Steven Weiss, a 10-year-old boy living near the Tate residence.

December 1, 1969: Arrest Warrants Issued in Tate Case

On December 1, 1969, the LAPD announced arrest warrants for Watson, Krenwinkel, and Kasabian in the Tate case; their involvement in the LaBianca murders was also noted.

June 15, 1970: Manson Trial Begins

On June 15, 1970, the trial against Manson, Atkins, Krenwinkel, and Kasabian began for seven counts of murder and one of conspiracy.

June 1970: Manson Cover Story in Rolling Stone

In June 1970, Rolling Stone featured Charles Manson as their cover story, further amplifying his notoriety following the Tate murders.

January 25, 1971: Guilty Verdicts Against Defendants

On January 25, 1971, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Manson, Atkins, Krenwinkel and Van Houten on each of the twenty-seven counts against them.

March 29, 1971: Jury Returns Death Verdicts

On March 29, 1971, the jury returned verdicts of death against Manson, Atkins, Krenwinkel, and Van Houten on all counts.

April 19, 1971: Sentenced to Death

On April 19, 1971, Judge Older sentenced Manson, Atkins, Krenwinkel, and Van Houten to death.

April 22, 1971: Manson Admitted to State Prison

On April 22, 1971, Manson was admitted to state prison for seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the Tate-LaBianca murders.

December 13, 1971: Manson Convicted for Hinman's Murder

On December 13, 1971, Manson was convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County Court for the July 25, 1969, death of musician Gary Hinman.

1971: Manson's Murder Conviction

In 1971, Charles Manson was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people, including Sharon Tate. The prosecution argued his ideology was an overt act of conspiracy.

1972: Death Penalty Ruled Unconstitutional

In 1972, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state's death penalty statutes was unconstitutional, Manson was re-sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.

September 5, 1975: Fromme Attempts to Assassinate President Ford

On September 5, 1975, Squeaky Fromme attempted to assassinate U.S. President Gerald Ford in Sacramento.

February 2, 1977: Death Sentence Modified to Life

On February 2, 1977, Manson's initial death sentence was modified to life imprisonment.

November 16, 1978: First Parole Hearing

On November 16, 1978, Manson's first parole hearing took place at California Medical Facility in Vacaville, where his petition was rejected.

September 25, 1984: Manson Set on Fire by Inmate

On September 25, 1984, Manson was imprisoned in the California Medical Facility at Vacaville when inmate Jan Holmstrom poured paint thinner on him and set him on fire, causing second and third degree burns.

December 1987: Fromme Escapes Prison

In December 1987, Fromme, serving a life sentence for the assassination attempt, escaped briefly from Federal Prison Camp, Alderson in West Virginia.

1987: Krenwinkel comments on trial script

In a 1987 documentary, Krenwinkel stated, "The entire proceedings were scripted—by Charlie." indicating Manson's influence over the trial.

March 27, 1997: Manson Refuses Parole Hearings

After his parole hearing on March 27, 1997, Charles Manson refused to attend any subsequent parole hearings due to the panel's assessment of his controlling behavior, mental health issues, and the danger he posed if released.

June 1997: Disciplinary Committee Finds Manson Trafficking Drugs

In June 1997, a prison disciplinary committee found that Manson had been trafficking drugs. He was moved from Corcoran State Prison to Pelican Bay State Prison a month later.

2009: Manson Caught with Cell Phone and Matthew Roberts Claims

In 2009, Charles Manson was caught with a cell phone while incarcerated, contacting individuals across multiple states and British Columbia. Also in 2009, Matthew Roberts claimed to potentially be Manson's son, with Roberts' biological mother stating she was raped by Manson in 1967 and gave birth to Roberts in 1968.

April 11, 2012: Manson Denied Parole and Reconsideration Date Set

On April 11, 2012, Charles Manson was denied release at his twelfth parole hearing, which he did not attend. It was determined that Manson would not be reconsidered for parole for another fifteen years, not before 2027.

2016: Love recalls Wilson's story about Manson

Writing in his 2016 memoir, Mike Love recalled Dennis Wilson saying he had witnessed Manson shooting a black man "in half" with an M16 rifle and hiding the body inside a well.

2027: Manson's Potential Parole Reconsideration

In 2027, Charles Manson was scheduled for a potential parole reconsideration, at which time he would have been 92 years old, following the denial of his parole in 2012.