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Original poster

to not understand why Charles Manson is in prison?

116 replies

LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 12:48

Maybe I haven't looked into the case deep enough or have a good enough understanding.

But from what I can gather he never actually killed anyone. And yes he might have brainwashed his followers who did murder those 7 people but surely they are accountable for their own actions?

I'm not saying he's a good person who doesn't deserve to be there, I'm just confused as to what he was charged with to be in prison for the rest of his life.

OP posts:
Original poster
LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 17:28

"I was asking as a discussion so I could get a better understanding."

I prefer to chat about things as it helps me to learn more than to read many facts about something - which sometimes don't answer the actual question you'd like an answer to.

In this instance I believe this is quite complex case with lots of different people involved and there is a large background story to Manson too. I didn't think I was doing harm in asking a question.

OP posts:
Original poster
LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 17:30

I think that the OP was phrased in a way which suggested that he might not be as guilty as all that.

All I knew was that he didn't physically murder anyone. For that fact alone I personally wasn't sure why he had got the same sentence as those who had, as I knew there were others in that ranch who had walked away completely free. And now I do.

I know that makes me extremely stupid in the eyes of MN users - but you live and learn.

OP posts:
kim147 · 01/09/2013 17:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chippednailvarnish · 01/09/2013 17:34

I don't know if I should laugh or cry, when I consider that this is your first post...

Snatchoo · 01/09/2013 17:35

You should read Helter Skelter. It's written by the chief prosecutor (IIRC) and is very good.

The way he was able to manipulate others is truly, truly shocking.

Original poster
LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 17:37

So what do you think know? Do you think he deserves what he got?

Why? So people can ridicule my limited knowledge more?

I never said he didn't get what he deserved.

OP posts:
Original poster
LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 17:38

You should read Helter Skelter. It's written by the chief prosecutor (IIRC) and is very good.

The way he was able to manipulate others is truly, truly shocking.

Yes I'll do that, thanks for the tip.

OP posts:
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2013 17:39

Weirdly I was reading about this yesterday as it dawned on me that whilst I know exactly who he is etc i didn't know what he did. ( just murmurings to so with Sharon Tate)

It didn't take 5 mins of reading for me to conclude that, yes, this guy should be in prison.

Original poster
LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 17:41

It didn't take 5 mins of reading for me to conclude that, yes, this guy should be in prison.

And? We already reached the conclusion that I'm a stupid person who is incapable of reading.

OP posts:
kim147 · 01/09/2013 17:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SocksinBoots · 01/09/2013 17:48

Does Helter Skelter go into detail about the violence?

I've tried reading about this case lots of times as the psychological aspect of it fascinates me. I don't have the stomach for the murder scenes though.

Any recommendations for suitable books or websites?

ExcuseTypos · 01/09/2013 17:49

Lucky if you reread the first replies to your post, no one has been mean to youConfused.

People were just answering your question.

mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2013 17:50

Glad that's cleared up then!

TSSDNCOP · 01/09/2013 17:51

You don't even need to read Helter Skelter, a quick skim of tnis will convince you (I hope) that Charles really isn't a very nice fella.

SocksinBoots · 01/09/2013 17:55

I've been trying to read that wiki entry TSS. It's horrifying.

50shadesofmeh · 01/09/2013 17:59

Because he is violent and unpredictable and not able to be rehabilitated according to parole and every time he gets close to parole he has some sort of outburst.

Original poster
LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 17:59

a quick skim of tnis will convince you (I hope) that Charles really isn't a very nice fella.

I really don't need convincing that Manson is a horrible person. Seriously.

My only question was that I was confused as to why he had got the same sentence when he didn't physically murder those 7 people.

That's all I was confused about. But seems no-one believes me.

OP posts:
50shadesofmeh · 01/09/2013 18:02

Jesus I was thinking of Charles Bronson in my earlier post just ignore me :-)

Original poster
LuckyStrikes · 01/09/2013 18:03

I never believed for a second that Charles Manson is a good person or that he doesn't deserve to be in prison. Or that I am a Manson supporter.

Neither do I not think the crimes were horrific.

The only point I didn't quite understand was under law how he got the same sentence as the people who committed the actual murders. Now I know that conspiracy carries the same sentence as murder.

I really don't need to be convinced that he is evil or that he deserves to be in prison.

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 01/09/2013 19:02

Op your question wasn't silly,though a quick google would have given you an idea. People have been a bit sharp with you and your reaction to it hasn't been great. This may be a question better asked in chat or even legal.

I can understand why you would have been looking into Manson a bit, it's an interesting and highly disturbing case.

Alisvolatpropiis · 01/09/2013 19:06

I can also understand why he was in prison himself. Conspiracy to murder being treated the same as murder itself is a finer point of law the general public aren't usually aware of.

Alisvolatpropiis · 01/09/2013 19:07

*why you weren't sure of why he was in prison.

Thinking faster than I can type Blush

SueDoku · 01/09/2013 19:09

I read Helter Skelter about 30 years ago - and still have nightmares about it - it's very well written and very graphic. OP I think that you should read it, as it will answer your question in detail.

OnTheBottomWithAWomensWeekly · 01/09/2013 19:09

If you somehow make someone murder someone else, you are the murderer, they are the weapon.
He is a multiple murderer. And a complete fucking nutter. Why wouldn't he be in prison?

Pagwatch · 01/09/2013 19:10

Tbh I think the way you phrased your question made it sound as if you were suggesting that his crimes were not that serious and that you couldn't be arsed to google.

Had you posted
'whilst the crimes were horrific does anyone know how they managed to get a life sentence for Charles Manson given that he got his followers to carry out that actual murders' or some such I think you would have got a different response.

But actually I think the answers you want are on here so I hope it was informative. It's an extraordinary and hideous story.

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