Taming the Beast: Charles Manson's Life Behind Bars

by Edward George

  Prison is a frame of thought. I’m out of that. I don’t want out of your prison unless I can go with my brothers and sisters. If I have the whole world and not my Family, I would have nothing. I’m not broken. I’m not beaten. My own Holy Revolution against pollution is still in full swing. I am my own government. Even if Reagan is trying to ride on my life. I am my own court and judge, my own world, my own God, in my own rebirth movement started behind the judge’s chambers in 1943. God is in me and I’m in God and we both have a spirit of justice for the world.

  You can try to kill me a million times more but you cannot kill soul. Truth was, is, and will always be. You have beaten me, broken my neck, knocked my teeth out. You’ve drugged me for years, dragging me up and down prison hallways, laying my head on every chopping block you’ve got in this state, chained me, burned me, but you cannot defeat me. All you can do is destroy yourselves with your own judgments.

  All that cannot get under me and in God’s will will not live over me but for a short time and that will grow to be a thousand hells, for you not only gave me your heads in truth by Dying, but have made me Christ four times in the world thought, Satan four times, Abraxas four times. But over that I already was the 666 for 17 years in government prisons and am still brother in that chamber of thought with knives in darkness. My 666 Beast is running free outside, in one will, with permission to do anything except to destroy water, air, trees, or wildlife, or the people with the marks of the Father on them. My armies move in ways beyond your programmed book brains in a Holy War to redeem life on Earth. For ATWA they move in all things, everywhere, coming from all you don’t know, from all you can’t or won’t try to understand.

  There are many people who have already made a lot of sacrifices in order to turn the world around, to redeem their own ATWA. So, the people who lie and have lied will suffer the sufferings of a lot of people who gave. Reborn Christians who are real in their rebirth don’t need to find God’s words in books. The people who want life on Earth are with me in the will of life and working beyond money. The others can go to their deaths however and wherever they find it. The same God I speak of is all gods in ONE GOD. One world. One court. One government. One order. One mind. Or continue with the madness you have judged for yourselves to live in forever. The time has ended and will catch up to each person’s thought as it does.

  Before 1969, for over twenty years, I suffered your prison cross. I give that to live, because I didn’t know the difference. I forgive and it is in my will to forget. But for the last fifteen years, there is no forgiveness. The IPCR is the green field with a red bull. Until you all accept one God, one government, one order, there will be no order. One religion, or no religion. Religion is God’s biggest problem. “Just as a circle embraces all that is within it, so does the Godhead embrace all. No one has the power to divide this circle, to surpass it, or to limit it.” To do so will be your destruction.

  Note for the record. In the all that was said about me, it was not me saying it, and if you see a false prophet, it is only a reflection of your judgments, for in truth, it is motions, not words, that speak for the Manson family. We each have our own worlds and judgments. I have no judgments outside of what you all have set for yourselves. I’m content wherever I am. Whatever you do or say does not touch my inner circle. I have peace within myself Peace of mind.

  Charles Manson

  PS. The U.S. started the Second World War.

  APPENDIX III

  CHARLES MANSON’S 1992 PAROLE HEARING

  SUBSEQUENT PAROLE CONSIDERATION HEARING STATE OF CALIFORNIA BOARD OF PRISON TERMS in the Matter of the Life Term Parole Consideration Hearing of:

  CHARLES MANSON

  CDC NUMBER B-33920

  CALIFORNIA STATE PRISON

  CORCORAN, CALIFORNIA

  TUESDAY

  APRIL 21, 1992

  1332 HOURS

  MEMBERS PRESENT

  Ron Koenig, Board Commissioner, Presiding

  Joseph Aceto, Board Commissioner

  Cleo Brown, Deputy Board Commissioner

  ALSO PRESENT

  Charles Manson, Inmate

  Stephen Kay, Deputy District Attorney County of Los Angeles

  PROCEEDINGS

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: These hearings are being taped, Mr. Manson, so if you would answer up so that it will be recorded, please.

  This is a subsequent parole consideration hearing for Charles Manson, B-33920. Received California Department of Corrections on April the 22nd, 1971, pursuant to Penal Code Section 1168 for violation of Section 187; California Penal Code, first-degree murder, counts one through seven and 182.1/187, conspiracy to commit murder, count eight, stayed; Los Angeles County case number A-252156.

  On February the 2nd, 1977, this sentence was changed being case number A-252156 from death to life pursuant to Court of Appeal. The prisoner was additionally received on December the 13th, 1971, for violation of P.C. 187, first-degree murder, concurrent with prior term, Los Angeles County case number 8267861, count one.

  Counts two and three of case number A-267861 for violation of P.C. 182.1/187/211 and 187, conspiracy to commit murder and robbery and first-degree murder were stayed.

  The controlling minimum eligible parole date is December—was December 13, 1978.

  Today’s date is April the 22nd, 1971 [sic]. The time is now 1332 hours and we are at the Corcoran State Prison.

  For purposes—participants in today’s hearing are Commissioners Koenig and Aceto and Deputy Commissioner Brown. Representing—the prisoner has declined an attorney, a state-represented attorney or an attorney of his own. Representing the people of the County of Los Angeles is Stephen Kay. We also have several members of the news media attending the hearing today and the CNPR and assistant CNPR, and we have an observer in the room.

  For purposes of identification we’re going to go around the room, state our first name, last name, and why we are here. I want only participants in the hearing to participate in this.

  I am Ron Koenig. I’ll start and I’ll go to my right. Mr. Manson, when we come to you would you also give your C.D.C. number? Okay.

  I am Ron Koenig, K-O-E-N-I-G. and I’m Commissioner for the Board of Prison Terms.

  BOARD COMMISSIONER ACETO: Good afternoon. Joe Aceto, A-C-E-T-O. Commissioner, Board of Prison Terms.

  DEPUTY BOARD COMMISSIONER BROWN: Cleo Brown, B-R-O-W-N. Deputy Commissioner, Board of Prison Terms.

  MR. KAY: Okay. I’m Stephen Kay, Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Mr. Manson?

  INMATE MANSON: Charles Manson, inmate, B-33920.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Would you spell your last name please?

  INMATE MANSON: M-A-N-S-U-N.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Thank you. Today, Mr. Manson, the panel from the Board of Prison Terms that you see before you will once again consider your suitability for parole. Certain things we have to go through, so let me go through this, if you will please.

  INMATE MANSON: Uh-huh.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: And we have a procedure that we follow. If you follow that it will make it much easier on all of us.

  The—you’ve had nine prior hearings. Let me explain the process so you know what’s going on. The hearing is basically broken down into three areas. The first area is the instant offense and I’ll incorporate that instant offense.

  And then I’ll give you—and read the instant offense—and then I’ll give you the opportunity to make corrections or additions to the instant offense. Then I’ll talk about your prior criminality—

  INMATE MANSON: I don’t understand instant defense.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Instant. That’s the offense that you’re in here for, the murders—

  INMATE MANSON: Instant?

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Yes.

  INMATE MANSON: Offense?

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Yes. O
ffenses that you’re in here for. We’ll then go to your social factors and your prior criminality and then we’ll go to the second part of the hearing which is your postconviction factors and your psychiatric evaluation. That will be handled by Deputy Commissioner Brown on my far right.

  The third area of the hearing are your parole plans and Commissioner Aceto will handle your parole plans.

  From there we go to questions by any one of the Commissioners regarding any part of the hearing, and then questions by the District Attorney. The District Attorney will pose the questions to the panel and when you answer his questions would you please answer the panel.

  Do you understand what’s going on here so far?

  INMATE MANSON: Yes. I have a couple questions.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: All right. It’s all right. Let me finish and then you can ask. We’ll then go to closing statements. The first closing statement will be by the District Attorney and then you’ll have the opportunity for the final closing statement. We will then recess. We’ll make a decision and call you back. Everybody will clear the room when we recess, make a decision. We’ll call you back and we’ll read into the record that decision.

  There are certain rights you are afforded, Mr. Manson. You were notified of the hearing. I saw where you were notified; however, you refused to sign the notification. Also, you had an opportunity to review your central file and I don’t know whether you did or not. Did you review your central file?

  INMATE MANSON: I’ve been checking this thing out that I’m sent here.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Okay. All right, good. You also have a right to appeal the decision within ninety days of receiving that decision.

  You have a right to an impartial panel, Mr. Manson. Do you have any problems with the three representatives from the Board of Prison Terms you see before you today?

  INMATE MANSON: No, not at all.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Thank you. You’ll receive a tentative written decision today. The decision will be effective in approximately sixty days after the Board of Prison Terms’ review process has taken place.

  You are not required, Mr. Manson, to discuss the matter with the panel if you do not wish to. But you must keep in mind that the Board of Prison Terms’ panel accepts as true the Court findings in the case, the fact that you are guilty of these murders. Are you going to talk to the panel today and answer questions?

  INMATE MANSON: Yes. Yes, sir.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Would you raise your right hand as best as possible. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you give today will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

  INMATE MANSON: Yes, sir.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Thank you. Okay, at this time I’m going to incorporate the instant offense from the decision held on December the 1st, 1982, pages two through six.

  INMATE MANSON: I don’t have that.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Okay. I’m going to read it to you so you can—if you would listen to—and then I’ll give you opportunity to make corrections or additions to the instant offense.

  INMATE MANSON: I’m a little nervous.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Okay. Just settle down because it’s very informal and we want you to relax as we go through this. Are you still—you’re nervous?

  INMATE MANSON: Yes. Yes, yes, very. I’ve been a long time sitting in that cell—

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Well, we have a lot of people who—

  INMATE MANSON: I’m not used to people that much.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Okay. Let me read the instant offense. If you’ll listen please—

  DEPUTY BOARD COMMISSIONER BROWN: Mr. Chairman? Mr. Chairman?

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Yes.

  DEPUTY BOARD COMMISSIONER BROWN: We need to make a correction. The date is the—April 21.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Excuse me, the date today is April the 21st, 1992. Thank you.

  Shortly before midnight on August—I’m reading from the second—third page—second page of the Board report dated 12/01/82. Shortly before midnight on August 8, 1969, the prisoner informed his crime partners that now is the time for Helter Skelter. The crime partners were directed to accompany Charles Watson to carry out the orders given by the prisoner. The crime partners at the time were Linda Cabastian—

  UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Kasabian.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Kasabian, Susan Atkins, and Patricia Krenwinkel. As the crime partners were in the car getting ready to leave the area, the prisoner informed them, “You girls know what I mean,” something to which he instructed them to leave a sign. Crime partner Watson drove directly to 10050 Selio—Selio [phonetic spelling] Drive, where he stopped the car. Linda Kasabian held three knives and one gun during the trip. Watson then cut the overhead telephone wires at the scene and parked the vehicle.

  INMATE MANSON: Excuse me. Where we getting this from?

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: This is from the Board report dated 12/01/82. Do you have a copy of that?

  INMATE MANSON: No, I don’t. Who—whose signature’s on the end of that?

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: This is a Board report. This is the hearing that was held at that particular time—

  INMATE MANSON: Uh-huh.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG:—and this was the reading of the instant offense at that particular time.

  INMATE MANSON: That sounds like a book.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Well, if you’ll listen and then you can make corrections.

  INMATE MANSON: Yes. Okay.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Okay?

  INMATE MANSON: Yes.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: All right. Crime partner Atkins and Krenwinkel had been in the backseat with Linda Kasabian, the passenger in the right front seat. Watson then carried some [inaudible] over the hill and to the outer premises of 10050 Selio Drive.

  The vehicle containing victim Stephen Parent [phonetic spelling] approached the gate opening into the street. Watson stopped him at gunpoint and Parent stated, “Please don’t hurt me, I won’t say anything.” Watson shot Parent five times and turned off the ignition of his car.

  All of the crime partners then proceeded to the house, where Watson cut a window screen Linda Kasabian acted as a lookout while another female crime partner entered the residence through an open window and admitted the other crime partners.

  Within the residence the prisoner’s crime partners, without provocation, logic, or reason murdered Abigail Anne Folger by inflicting a total of 28 multiple stab wounds on her body. Victim Wachezski—excuse me—victim-

  MR. KAY: Voitek [phonetic spelling].

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Voitek, count two, was killed by multiple stab wounds. A gunshot wound to his left back and multiple forced trauma of blunt nature to the head. Victim Sharon Tate Polanski was killed with multiple stab wounds. Victim Jay Sebring was killed by multiple stab wounds.

  On August the 10th, 1969, the prisoner drove his crime partners to a location near the residence of victims Leo and Rosemary LaBanca—LaBianca. The prisoner entered the LaBianca home alone at gunpoint and tied up the victims.

  He impressed them with the statement that they would not be harmed and that a robbery was taking place. He then returned to the vehicle containing his crime partners and then directed them to enter that residence and kill the occupants. He informed them not to notify the victims that they would be killed.

  Crime partners Charles Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, Leslie Van Houten then entered the residence and the prisoner drove away horn the scene. The crime partners entered the residence and in a callous manner killed Leo LaBianca by inflicting multiple stab wounds to his neck and abdomen. Rosemary LaBianca was killed by multiple stab wounds which were inflicted to the neck and trunk.

  The crime partner
s carved the wood war—the word war on Leo LaBianca’s stomach with the use of a carving fork. At both of the above murder scenes, the prisoner’s crime partners used blood of their victims to write the words.

  Under case number A-267861, the prisoner was received into the institution on December 13, 1971, for violation of first-degree murder concurrent with prior term. The pistol, knives, and swords were used in the following crimes which the prisoner committed with crime partners Bira Alstea—how do you pronounce that?

  MR. KAY: Beausoleil.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Beausoleil, and Atkins and Grogan and Davis. The prisoner directed the crime partners to go to the home of victim Gary Allen Highman—

  MR. KAY: Hinman.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG:—and have him sign over his property. The crime partners followed the prisoner’s directions and on July 26, 1969, they contacted the prisoner from the Hinman residence. Prisoner and Davis then went to the Hinman home and the prisoner struck Hinman with a sword severing a part of the right ear and causing a laceration to the left side of his face from his ear to his mouth. The prisoner and Davis then drove away from the crime scene in Hinman’s automobile.

  On July 27, 1969, after suffering three days of torturous treatment, Hinman was killed by a stab wound through the heart which was inflicted by Beausoleil.

  When Hinman was found in the Topanga Canyon home on July 31, 1969, he had been stabbed through the heart in addition to suffering a stab wound in the chest, a gash on the top of his head, a gash behind the right ear, and a laceration on the left side of his face which cut his ear and cheek.

  This concludes the reading of the instant offense. Do you have any additions or corrections, Mr. Manson, to the—

  INMATE MANSON: I’d like to know who signed that, who put their name on it.

  PRESIDING BOARD COMMISSIONER KOENIG: Nobody put their name on it. This was a hearing conducted in 1982. Your hearing was conducted at that particular time and that’s the reading of the instant offense as taken from the probation officers report at the time of the trial that you had. Do you have any corrections or additions to that?