The Manson Family - North America

Introduction

The Manson Family, also known as the Family was a sect and a gang, formed in California in 1967.The sect was led by the criminal Charles Manson and had about 100 followers, who lived an untypical lifestyle. Many of the members came in contact with drugs like Amphetamine and hallucinogens like LSD. There are 9 confirmed murdered victims and potentially up to 24 victims.

The continent North America

North America is the third-largest continent in the world, with an area of 24.7 million square kilometres. The continent compromises 23 countries and many territories. In addition, the fourth largest continent with a population of over 592 million people, North America is home to a diverse array of ethnicities, cultures, and languages. Furthermore, North America is home to several natural wonders, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, and the Great Lakes, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The Circumstances

North America is in general considered as a safe region, certain areas may be more violent than others. Due to different factors like easy access to firearms, drug trafficking, and gang activity can contribute to dangerous areas.

The United States, have high numbers of crimes in contrast to other developed nations, fighting with issues such as gun violence.

Life of the Sect Leader Charles Manson

Charles Milles Maddox was born on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati,Ohio. His mother Kathleen Maddox, was at that time a 16 year old girl with alcohol problems. His biological father was never present in his life. Later on his Mother married William Manson, but the marriage didnt last for long, his mother came into trouble with the law and was unable to care for Manson and provide a stable home for him. He experienced lack of attention, care and instability from a young age. Following of his mothers problems, Manson was placed in the care of relatives and institutions.

Mansons problematic behaviour began at a young age, leading to multiple arrests and placements in reform schools.At 9, Manson set his school on fire. At 13, he was sent to Gibault School for Boys, where he faced harsh punishments.

He committed his first documented crime of robbing a grocery store in 1948 and ran away numerous times from the institution. Manson continued to engage in criminal activities like armed robberies and stealing cars, that lead to his placement in juvenile facilities,where he began developing his manipulative tactics and charismatic personality.

Manson was transferred to various institutions due to his behavior, including Natural Bridge Honor Camp and the Federal Reformatory in Petersburg, Virginia, where he committed further offenses. He was moved to a maximum-security reformatory in Ohio but was released early for good behavior in 1954.

Charles Manson married Rosalie Jean Willis in 1955, and they moved to Los Angeles in a stolen car. He was sentenced to three years at Terminal Island for this crime. During his imprisonment, his wife gave birth to their son, Charles Manson Jr., and later left him.

After his release in 1958, Manson engaged in pimping and forgery. He received a suspended sentence in 1959 but was re-imprisoned in 1960 for violating probation and charges related to the Mann Act.

He served his sentence at McNeil Island, Washington, where he learned guitar and networked with future music producer Phil Kaufman. Manson's last imprisonment stint included various transfers and further legal issues. By his release in 1967, he had spent over half of his life in institutions. Despite requesting to stay in prison, he was released and re-entered society.

The Manson Family

In 1967, Charles Manson was released from prison and moved to San Francisco. At this time he began to attract followers that were drawn to is charismatic personality, mostly young women followed him.

By the following year, Manson and some of his followers had moved to a ranch near Los Angeles known as the Spahn Ranch, where they established their communal living arrangements. During this time, Manson became increasingly focused on the idea of an impending race war, which he called "Helter Skelter." He believed that this war would lead to societal collapse, and his followers would emerge as the dominant group.

In July 1969, Manson Family member Bobby Beausoleil murdered Gary Hinman, a musician, at Hinman's home in Topanga Canyon, California.

Then, on the nights of August 8-9, 1969, Manson directed several of his followers, including Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Linda Kasabian, to carry out a series of murders. They brutally killed actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and four others at Tate's home in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, on August 8-9.

The following night, they murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca at their home in Los Feliz, Los Angeles.

In August 1969, Manson planned a series of mass murders in Los Angeles. On the night of August 8-9, Manson ordered his followers to carry out the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders.

Manson believed that the Americans were to blame for the murders, which caused chaos and violence.

The Manson Family's crimes and subsequent trials continue to be the subject of intense fascination and study in popular culture and criminology. Manson himself died of natural causes while serving his life sentence at California State Prison, Corcoran, on November 19, 2017.

The end of the sect

Manson and several of his followers were later arrested on suspicion of auto theft, unrelated to the murders.

In December 1969, Manson and his followers were indicted for the Tate-LaBianca murders.In 1971, Manson, along with Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten, were found guilty of the Tate-LaBianca murders and sentenced to death.

However, their sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment when California abolished the death penalty.In 1974, Manson Family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in Sacramento, California. She was quickly apprehended and sentenced to life in prison.