• Takes Prosecution Helm in Tate Case

Takes Prosecution Helm in Tate Case

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14 – A swift reshuffling of the state’s team in the Sharon Tate murder trial has brought two new prosecutors to court and shifted most of the job to a youthful deputy district attorney who has been with the case from the start.

Vincent T. Bugliosi, the dapper prosecutor who delivered the state’s dramatic opening statement, took the helm this week when the district attorney suddenly removed from the case veteran prosecutor Aaron H. Stovitz.

Stovitz reportedly was pulled off the case because of his statements to the news media. Since then, Bugliosi has nervously reminded reporters: “You can’t quote me on anything.”

Charles M. Manson, leader of a hippie-style “family,” is on trial with three women followers, charged with murder-conspiracy in the slayings of the beautiful actress and six others. The state has called some 40 witnesses so far in efforts to link the defendants with the crimes.

Bugliosi’s switch to chief prosecutor means he must deliver the state’s summation and handle the bulk of witness questioning — at least until his two new assistants catch up on the trial. One of them says his only contact with the case has been “what I’ve seen on television.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Donald H. Musich and Stephen R. Kay had no previous involvement in the case when they were named to fill Stovitz’ vacancy. Both have begun reading up on more than 10,000 pages of transcripts recorded since the three-month old trial opened.

Musich, 34, has been a county prosecutor for seven years mostly in the criminal trials division. Kay, 27, on the district attorney’s staff for two years recently prosecuted his first murder case, getting the death penalty for Ronald Fouquet convicted of murdering his 5-year-old son.

The new chief prosecutor, Bugliosi, 35, has demonstrated a flair for dramatic courtroom rhetoric. In his opening statement, he assailed Manson as a “megalomaniac” and outlined a bizarre motive for the slayings: that Manson, inspired by a Beatles record, sought to touch off a race war.

Testimony has pointed up Bugliosi’s diligence in investigating the case. Police officers testified that the prosecutor joined detectives in searching for evidence, and witnesses said Bugliosi visited them often.

The state’s star witness, Linda Kasabian, said Bugliosi even took her out of jail for a Chinese dinner once.

Bugliosi, a native of Hibbing Minn., and a graduate of UCLA law School, became known locally for his prosecution of two major cases.

He won 20 convictions in the complicated trial of 24 students accused of kidnapping and assault in the takeover of an administration building at San Fernando Valley State College last year.

The prosecutor also scores murder convictions in the trial of Paul Perveler, and his girl friend, Christina Cromwell, charged with killing her two husbands for insurance money.

Soon after those cases, Bugliosi was tapped by television producer Jack Webb to act as technical director on a projected television series, “The D.A.” The star of the show, actor Bob Conrad, is a frequent spectator at the Tate trial, modeling his character after Bugliosi — Ivy League suits and all.

Early in the case, Bugliosi said he was concerned about the prosecution’s image in the highly publicized Tate trial.

“Historically,” he said then, “the spotlight in a case such as this has always been on the defense. There are many misconceptions about prosecutors. They are seen as nebulous figures who represent the state and are interested only in convictions.

“We are interested in securing justice, not just convictions.” he said then of the Tate case. “If convictions are justice, then swell, we want convictions.”

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2 Responses to Takes Prosecution Helm in Tate Case

  1. DiDi says:

    good article. would like more posted here. thx

  2. Lee says:

    Thank God, Mr. Bugliosi was the chief prosecutor in this horrible case so he could put those animals away for life!!

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