LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31 – A plot to rescue convicted killer Charles Manson through tunnels beneath the Los Angeles civic centre was revealed today.

Members of Manson’s self-styled Family and some ex-convicts they recruited were to stage a commando-style raid on the court of Superior Judge Raymond Choate, said Sheriff’s Deputies.

They were to link up with several Black Panthers now on trial in the Hall of Justice, seize hostages and flee to safety through a tunnel.

The tunnel system is closed but the Manson rescuers planned to break down a partition and emerge at a construction site – for a new criminal court – where cars would be waiting.

Female members of the Manson clan had become friendly with construction workers and obtained blueprints of the tunnels.

On August 21 five members of the Manson clan were captured after a shoot-out in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorn during the attempted theft of 140 guns.

At the time the District Attorney’s office hinted that the guns were to be used to free Manson.

Manson, and three of his girls, were sentenced in March to die in the gas chamber for their part in the Sharon Tate murders. They have appealed.