#TBT: News Footage From the Manson Murder Case

Brut America

Here's a look back at news footage from the Manson murder trial — including an interview with Susan Atkins's attorney. Atkins was the Manson family member who confessed to murdering Sharon Tate in 1969.

Transcript

00:00Is she a member of the commune that we've heard described by the chief of police of Los Angeles?

00:05Yes, she is.

00:06How long had she been with them?

00:08For about three years.

00:09Were they under any kind of narcotics?

00:13Well, there's been some evidence that some of them were involved in drugs.

00:17However, in her case, I can state that she was just totally dedicated to one man

00:22and did whatever he felt was right and whatever he said was wrong is exactly what she would do or follow.

00:28The roving band of hippies who lived for a time at a movie ranch about 25 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

00:35They later moved from that ranch to Death Valley.

00:38The group was broken up last October after sheriff's deputies investigated a series of thefts.

00:44When the deputies raided the camp, some of the women were nude and some wore only bikini bottoms.

00:49The men had shoulder-length hair and wore beads.

00:52Eight children were with the group and two infants were found to be suffering from malnutrition.

00:57Reporter Ken Grau visited their former home, Spahn Ranch, and talked with foreman Mike Armstrong and his wife Denise.

01:04Had you heard that these three might be involved with the Tate and LaBianca murders?

01:08Yes, sir.

01:10What were your reactions?

01:12I wasn't surprised.

01:14Any unusual things that they did while they were here?

01:17They were constantly taking dope and drinking wine and stealing cars and anything else you can think of.

01:24Do you personally feel that Charlie Watson could have had something to do with the Tate and LaBianca murders?

01:32Yes, I do.

01:36But I don't believe he did it himself. I believe he had somebody else do it.

01:40I'll tell you why.

01:42Because Charlie, on this one killing, he used another man's gun.

01:47And he forced this man, by using his gun, into a position where the man couldn't get out of it.

01:54I mean, just like Charlie would have you go to bed with one of his teenage girls.

01:58Get you loaded and have you go to bed with them, then you're obligated to him.

02:02And you gotta do as he says.

02:04Unless you're dead.

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