THE MANSON MURDERS An Investigation into Motive

Hardback. The author was the Prosecutor in the Tate-LaBianca Trials. One of the most baffling and horrifying murder cases of the 20th-century began on the night of August 9, 1969, with the brutal killing of the actress Sharon Tate and 4 others at her home in the hills above Hollywood, and ended with the conviction of Charles Manson, 3 young women, and one young man of murder in the first degree. It was murder without purpose, committed by killers scarcely past the age of innocence. As the prosecutor in this fascinating trial, the author says it was not necessary to show a motive to get a conviction, but he could not rest until he had discovered not only who did it and how, but also why. Why did these very young women, refugees from comfortable middle-class families, carry out at least 7 horrible murders at the direction of a poorly educated, would-be pop singer of little talent? What was the nature of his power over them and over so many others like them - a power that continued even after his imprisonment? What was his purpose in planning and directing the seemingly mindless selection of victims and the gruesome details of the killings - killings which, the author reveals, may account for as many as 35 victims to date? Why were the phrase 'helter skelter' and the word 'pig' written in blood at the scene of the murders? What role did the Beatles play in Manson's strange, sick philosophy? These were the questions that insisted on being answered. Illus., Epilogue, and Index. 502pp. lge 8vo. h/back. From the library of Paul Daniel, ex-editor of the 'Ripperologist' magazine (December 1996 No. 8 - February 2000 No. 27) with his name/date rubber stamp to bep. Includes various newspaper cuttings to fpd, ffep/verso, half-tp/verso. Lightly browned pp, o/w Nr. F. in Nr. F. protected dw. A fairly heavy book which may require additional postage if shipped overseas.