McKINNEY, Dec. 2 – It is a bleak day for Charles Watson, a Copeville young man who traded a “square” life of his farm community and North Texas State for the excitement of a “hippie family” life in California.

Today is Watson’s birthday, December 2 he is 24 years old.

Today he is back home but he is spending his birthday in the Collin county jail charged with participating in one of the most notorious murders of a decade – Last August five people were found dead in a California home – Actress Sharon Tate was one of the victims. The peculiar circumstances of the crime had baffled authorities for months, but two weeks ago a group of hippies were tied to the crime by an informer. Young Watson was a member of the group.

Charles’ early life was uneventful. As a big six-foot-two youngster, he was naturally active in high school athletics. After graduating from high school he enrolled in North Texas state which he attended for three years. His major was business administration. Then something happened that caused him to drop out of school. He went to California where he attended school for a short time, but became involved in the hippie fad that was currently the “thing” in California schools.

The group with which he became identified had been involved in various petty crimes around the West Coast area, but the climax was the alleged involvement in the famous Tate murder.

I interviewed Charles Watson in his cell at the Collin county jail late Monday evening.

Watson did not seem concerned about his confinement.

When I asked: “What do you think the Los Angeles officers have against you?”

He said: “I haven’t the slightest idea.”

Watson was not reluctant to talk about his life. He told about his home in Copeville, just south of Farmersville. He had attended grade school in the Copeville community and high school at Farmersville. He didn’t say why he dropped out of North Texas State but after going to California he enrolled in California State College, but dropped out before completing a semester.

While in California he had a car accident which he said prevented him from working, so he came back home in October for a short time, then he went back to California for a few days. He returned to Copeville in November. He said he had been living with his mother and dad. His father owns and operates a grocery and market in Copeville.

One of his life-long acquaintances said: “He was a fine boy and has a fine family. In fact, he taught a Sunday school class at one time.”

Watson and his family are long-time residents of the Copeville community and active in community and church affairs.

When I left young Watson at the jail, he did not seem concerned about his being in jail. His attitude throughout my conversation indicated no signs of tension or nervousness.

While at the jail I met Sgt. Michael Nielson and Sgt. Philip Sartuche of the Los Angeles police department. They had brought warrants calling for Watson’s transfer to California to face a murder indictment.

Bill Boyd, a former district attorney for Collin County, has been retained by Watson’s father to represent his son. Attorney Boyd said that he has not decided about permitting young Watson to waive extradition until more details are learned about the evidence linking him to the alleged crimes.

By COL. TOM EMERSON