• Manson Fights Courtroom Bailiffs

Manson Fights Courtroom Bailiffs

LOS ANGELES, Jun. 12 – Charles Manson fought with three bailiffs trying to force him into his seat in a courtroom today, then was led shouting out of court along with three others charged with murder-conspiracy in the slayings of actress Sharon Tate and six others.

The commotion started when Manson and three young women defendants stood up in court, their arms outstretched at their sides and heads bowed. The judges ordered them to sit down, but they ignored him.

Superior Court Judge Charles Older then ordered bailiffs to put the four in their seats.

Manson tried to fight off the bailiffs, but one grabbed his wrist, another hung onto his long, shaggy hair and a third tried to handcuff him.

The women Susan Atkins, 21, Leslie Van Houten, 20, and Patricia Krenwinkel, 22 — sat down, then jumped up again.

“You might as well kill us all.” shouted Miss Atkins. “We can’t get a fair trial.”

As they were led out Miss Krenwinkel raised her arms and addressed newsmen seated in the jury section.

“We gave our lives once before. Don’t you know who we are? You put us on the cross once before. Why don’t you do it again?”

After their removal the defendants’ attorneys objected that their conduct was not disruptive, but the judge told them, “They physically resisted the bailiffs and they refused to comply with the order to be seated.”

Dep. Dist. Atty. Aaron Stovitz said, “Today I believe the defendants’ conduct was disruptive.”

Prosecution and defense attorneys had objected Thursday to removal of the defendants from the courtroom when they turned their backs on the judge. Previously, there was no attempt to physically force them back in their seats.

The defendants were in court for various pre-trial motions. The trial itself is scheduled to begin Monday.

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