CALIFORNIA, Jan. 4, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Charles Manson has been taken from his prison cell in Corcoran, Calif., to a nearby medical facility for treatment of undisclosed medical issues, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Manson was the founder and leader of the “Manson Family” cult, responsible for a murderous rampage that killed actress Sharon Tate and at least eight others in the late 1960 and early ’70s in Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
A source told the Los Angeles Times that Manson’s medical issues were serious. Correctional officials contacted reportedly said they are not allowed to discuss prisoners locations and other information due to privacy and safety concerns.
One official, Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, did confirm, when asked, that Manson was still alive.
Manson, 82, and born Charles Milles Maddox in Cincinnati, is serving nine consecutive life sentences for conspiring to commit murders, which were carried out by his followers.
Manson believed that “Helter Skelter,” a Beatles’ song, foretold an impending race war that would end the world. Manson reportedly believed that directing his followers to murder people would cause that race war to begin.
Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski, was 8-months-pregnant and entertaining friends when she and her guests were murdered by Manson Family members.
On Aug. 9, 1969, four of Manson’s followers murdered pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others at her home in the Hollywood hills. The next night, six Manson followers killed supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary at their home.
Manson has been denied parole 12 times, with his next chance at early release scheduled for 2027 when he would be 92.
Five of the six perpetrators were tried, convicted and sentenced to death — though they were all later commuted to life in prison by the California Supreme Court. One Manson family member, Linda Kasabian, turned state’s evidence and was never prosecuted.
Last year, one of the killers, Leslie Van Houten was recommended for release by prison officials. However, California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed the decision and she remains in prison. Last week, parole officials postponed a decision on whether to parole another, Patricia Krenwinkel.
