Author Archives: cielodrive.com
Tate Trial Witness ‘Threatened’
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 – A key state witness at the Tate murder trial has admitted that police raised the prospect she might face the gas chamber or life in prison if she did not tell them all she knew […]
Says Cult Girl Told of Stabbing
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 – Slender, pig-tailed Leslie Van Houten smiled and doodled as a crucial witness at the Sharon Tate murder trial linked her directly to the slayings for the first time. On the stand, pretty Dianne Lake, 17, […]
Committed Accused Tate Slayer Was Texas Town Hero in ’64
McKINNEY, Tex., Nov. 1 – There he stood on the jailhouse steps, his darkness-accustomed eyes blinking at the bright sunlight he hadn’t seen in months. This was Charles Watson, football hero, basketball hero, track star, “most versatile student” of 1964. […]
Manson’s Pal Watson Ruled Insane
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31 – Charles (Tex) Watson, the Manson “family” member charged with the actual murder of the seven Tate-LaBianca victims, Friday was adjudged insane and rushed to Atascadero State Hospital in an attempt to save his life. Two […]
Doctors Say Manson Witness ‘Competent’
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 – Two psychiatrists said Thursday that in their opinions, a key prosecution witness is competent to testify in the Tate-LaBianca murder trial. Drs. Blake Skrdla and Earl C. Deering testified that they think Diane Lake, 17, […]
Manson Becomes Irritated as Hearing Held About Witness
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 – A hearing into the competency of the final prosecution witness in the Tate LaBianca murder case continued today with the chief defendant, cult leader Charles Manson, becoming more irritated and outspoken. As one of two […]
Manson Attorneys Claim Witness Psychotic, Incapable of Testifying
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 – A hearing was scheduled today in the Tate-LaBianca murder trial to determine whether the last prosecution, witness — a former Manson “family” member now in Patton State Hospital — is capable of taking the witness […]
3 of Susan Atkins’ Letters, Implicating Her In Killings, Read To Jury
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 – Three letters from defendant Susan Atkins deeply implicating her in the Sharon Tate murders were read to the jury yesterday while the young woman bent low over a scratch pad and etched out a picture. […]
Ex-Manson Disciple Describes LSD Trips ‘Guided’ by Charlie
Paul Watkins, 20, a good looking youth with a way with women, had been Manson’s chief procurer of young girls. Often he acted as Manson’s second in command. While on his trips to and from the Barker Ranch in Inyo […]
Tate Defense Wants Beatle to Be Witness
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28 – The defense wants John Lennon of the Beatles to testify in the Sharon Tate murder trial on whether one of the group’s song could have inspired Charles Manson to violence. But, in London, a spokesman […]
Manson Told Him to Die, Youth Says
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27 – A former member of Charles Manson’s hippie clan said today he once tried to starve himself to death after Manson ordered him to die. Brooks Poston, 21, in his second day on the stand at […]
Susan’s Letters Barred in Court
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26 – Letters implicating a defendant in the Tate-LaBianca murder trial were barred from evidence today pending results of a defense appeal for a higher court ruling on admissibility. The letters, written by “Manson family” member Susan […]
Manson Admits 5 or 6 Visits to Tate Home
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24 – Charles Manson admitted from the witness stand of the Tate-LaBianca murder trial Friday that he had visited the estate where actress Sharon Tate and four others were murdered. He estimated he had been “at” the […]
Manson Admits Visiting Tate Home ‘5 or 6 Times’
UNBEARDED MANSON: Charles Manson appears in court minus his beard. It was the second time since his arrest that he has shaved off his beard. LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24 – A prosecution witness Friday “bordered on” giving hippie cultist Charles […]
Melcher: Manson’s No Singer
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23 – Terry Melcher, movie producer son of actress Doris Day, testified in the Tate-LaBianca murder trial today that he wasn’t impressed with the musical talent of hippie leader Charles Manson but was “very impressed with his […]
Manson Visited Tate Residence, Witness Reveals
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 – Charles Manson visited Sharon Tate’s rented estate less than five months before she and four others were murdered there, the owner of the property testified Wednesday at the Tate-LaBianca trial. Rudy Altobelli, who then lived […]
Deserters Returned to L.B.; Face Murder Try Charges
LONG BEACH, Oct. 22 – Two Marine deserters, identified as “kissin’ kin” of the Manson “family,” will be arraigned in Long Beach Municipal Court today on seven felony counts each, including two of attempted murder. The pair brought back from […]
Another Ex-Cellmate Says Susan Confessed to Killings
Roseanne Walker, a former cellmate of Susan Atkins said she became friendly with Miss Atkins and at one point heard the girl confess to the Tate LaBianca murders. LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 – Hippie cultist Charles Manson appeared in court […]
Manson at Tate Home in March ’69, Trial Told
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 21 – Hippie leader Charles Manson was at the Tate murder house five months before the tragedy, a witness said in Los Angeles today. Rudolph Altobelli, owner of the Benedict Canyon home and who lived in a […]
Manson Scouted Home of ‘Beachboy’ Witness Says
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20 – Hippie cult chieftain Charles Manson scouted the home of “Beachboy” entertainer Dennis Wilson the night he was “looking for” a murder victim, and ended up at the home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, a witness […]
