• Manson Plotted Routes Of Murder, Lawyer Says

Manson Plotted Routes Of Murder, Lawyer Says

LOS ANGELES, Mar. 10 — Charles Manson not only sent killers to the Sharon Tate home but also told them to go next door and kill the people there, a lawyer testified yesterday at the Tate-LaBianca murder trial.

Richard Caballero, who at one time represented defendant Susan Atkins, said the young woman told him of Manson’s domination of the “family” although she herself said on the witness stand Manson had nothing to do with the seven slayings.

Under questioning by Deputy Dist. Atty. Vincent Bugliosi, Caballero said Miss Atkins told him Manson picked the Tate home because he wanted to “instill fear” in Terry Melcher, son of actress Doris Day. Melcher had declined to record Manson’s original songs.

“Did she tell you that Manson told them to go into the home of the people next door and murder them too?” Bugliosi asked.

“Yes, she said they were instructed to go into the next door neighbor’s home and do the same thing,” Caballero said.

The attorney did not elaborate on why they failed to do so.

Caballero one of the last witnesses in the penalty phase of the trial, said Miss Atkins told him: “I never questioned what Charlie said — I just did it.” At that point, Manson interrupted the questioning.

“Your honor, is it proper for two district attorneys to be questioning each other in my behalf?” he said.

Caballero some years ago was in the district attorney’s office himself. He had been in private practice since that time. Miss Atkins fired him as her lawyer shortly after he made a “deal” with the district attorney to have her testify before a grand jury in return for the state dropping a demand for the death penalty.

Judge Charles H. Older admonished Manson to be quiet or he would be removed from the courtroom.

“This is going to reflect back on you pretty bad,” Manson said.

Caballero said Miss Atkins told him Manson went along to the home of Leno LaBianca and his wife the next night and went inside, tied them up and came back out again.

“Last time you blew it,” Manson was quoted as saying. “Don’t panic the people so at least they can go in peace.”

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