Essay, Research Paper: Charles Manson

Have you ever heard of a person named Charles Manson? If you have not, you have probably been living in a hole for most of your life. Manson Manson, and his followers, who are referred to as "The Family," committed some of the most gruesome murders of the 20th century. I am going to tell the story of these murders and tell why Manson is still so well known decades after the murders were committed.
Charles Manson was a brainwasher. He brought people into his twisted world and made them do the dirty work for him. Manson thought that he was God, and thought that he was everywhere(Jones1). He has referred to himself as God in many different interviews that he has taken. Since he was so overpowering to others, most people he came in contact with did whatever he said.
People remember Manson and his crimes because of his interpretations on certain things. Manson had a very odd interpretation of some Beatles songs. Many of these songs came off of the Beatles' White Album. In one Beatles song, "Helter Skelter," Manson believed that the Beatles were telling him that a race war was going to occur. In this war, blacks and whites would fight and the blacks would come out victorious(Influence1). He was also told that he would have to take over control after the war ended. He had one other interpretation, which was in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. In this chapter, he saw the same type of message about a racial war and the end of the world. He believed that he must kill a high-ranking person in order to start the final phase of the war that was talked about in several different books(Family1).
In order for Manson to carry out his mission, he had to recruit some people. After he was released from jail for some petty offenses, he moved to San Francisco and started preaching to people what he thought was going to happen. At times he had up to fifty followers, most of them being female. Many of these people said that it was amazing the kind of mind control he had over them. He and a few of his followers, now called The Family, moved into an old movie stage called the Spahn Ranch. They stayed there for free after Manson talked to the owner of the set, George Spahn. They made some deals so that Manson and his "family" could stay there.
At the Spahn Ranch, "the family" grew very close and they began to trust Manson with everything he said. Some of the most popular members of The Family who lived with Manson included; Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, Squeaky Fromme, and Tex Watson. All of the people there were hippies, so they experimented with many different things, such as drugs and communal sex while they stayed at the ranch.
On August 8, 1969, Manson decided that it was the day to move into action. He and a few members of his "family" raided the residence of Roman Polanski, a movie director. At his residence, the "Manson Family" killed five, including actress Sharon Tate, who was pregnant at the time, and Abigal Folger, the heiress to the Folger's Coffee company. The next night they killed Leo and Rosemary LaBianca. Because of the way that these murders were committed, many people still remember the gruesome details. Susan Atkins, one of the Manson members, killed Sharon Tate, drank her blood, and thought about cutting Sharon's baby out of her womb and bringing it to Manson. She said that he would have been very proud of her for doing that. This shows that he had total control over all of his member and that they worshiped him like a god (Five Dead1).
Manson felt as if he was not going to be caught for the crimes that his group had committed. Later that year, some of his followers were arrested for unrelated crimes. While Susan Atkins was in jail, she confessed to the murders. She also told the police all of the other people who were involved in the killings, including Manson (Charles1). Manson and three other members were convicted of the murders and sentenced to death, but it was over-ruled in 1972. They are now serving life sentences for their roles in the murders. Manson is eligible for parole, but he has been denied his release eleven times. He has been denied so many times because many people still think that he is crazy. He still has a major influence on many people around him, including the remaining family members.
Why is Charles Manson is still so well known many years after the crimes were committed? Some of the reasons include the time that he lived in and the ways that he controlled others to do what he want them to do.
Manson is behind bars in Corcoran State Prison where he will not have much contact with other inmates. Even though we may not be able to see him, he is still an icon that is very popular and well-known icon in our society today. Many celebrities have reintroduced Manson's image like Trent Reznor, a member of Nine-Inch Nails, who has his recording studio in the house where Sharon Tate and others were killed. The name of the studio is "Pig Studios," because of the reference it has to the word "Pig" which was written on one of the doors while the murders were being committed(Wing1).
The public has also found a renewed interest in the Manson murders. Many books are being published that have to do with the killings(Wing2). Ex-Family members and other Manson followers devote hundreds of sites on the Internet to him. Many claim that he is innocent and that he is God, while others tell the "real story" of what really happened on August 8th and 9th(Fillmer4). Movies and music have been made which have to do the Manson crimes. One of the most popular books having to do with Manson, Helter Skelter, is well known to many people that have an interest in him, his family, and the crimes they committed(Five Dead4).
The Manson murders are also an icon of the 60's, which are now coming back very strongly. He was a true hippie; he was into drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll like many others of the time(Wing3). Because of this, many people are curious as to what kind of person it takes to commit such gruesome crimes and show no remorse for it. The answers that people find are that he crazy and thought that he was God and could do no wrong(Jones1).
Every few years Manson's name comes up in the news. Articles range from his appeal for parole to his admitting to sending his followers to do the killings. During this whole time though, he has never admitted that he took part in the killings(Aarons1). His followers are also in the headlines. Many of them say that they have found God and that they are safe now and should be let out of jail. Charles "Tex" Watson and Susan Atkins are among the born-again Christians who used to be part of the Manson Family(Reuter1). Many of the other Members have said that they are regretful for taking part in the murders.
People's interest in the crime will continue for a long time because of the name Charles Manson has made for himself. The murders his followers committed are some of the most well known killings of the 20th century. A man like this should not get the attention that he gets, but who can help but wonder "why" someone would commit such gruesome crimes.

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