Was Charles Manson given the death penalty?

Answer 1

Charles Manson did get the death penalty. But when the California Supreme Court abolished the death penalty, his sentence was changed to life imprisonment. Later on when the death penalty was re-established, Manson was unaffected, and he is serving a life sentence.

Answer 2

Legally he did. California law says whomever orders a murder is just as guilty as the "trigger man". But these 7 murders are the ones generally known and associated with Manson. But we can't assume that he never killed anyone with his own hands. There are many missing persons and unsolved murders that can be connected with Manson.

This is a man that has spent very few of his 70-something years outside of prison. He has been a violent offender on both sides of the bars. So although he was never charged or convicted of many of the crimes associated with him does not mean he didn't commit them.

In retrospect, Manson committed the almost-perfect murders. He wasn't there, he had many witnesses that saw him miles away from the murder scene, he left no trace evidence. But Manson didn't count on a prosecutor like Vincent Bugliosi, and ex-family member Linda Kasabian.

Answer 3

Manson is what is called a career criminal. His life of crime began before he hit a double digit birthday. In and out of juvenile facilities then on to state and federal prisons. Nobody knows for sure (except Manson himself) when Charlie killed his first victim. But by the time he and his 'family' came south from the Haight-Ashbury in San Franscico in the late 1960's Manson was primed for killing. On August 8 and 9, 1969 Manson order his family to murder the residents at 10050 Cielo Dr. and Waverly Dr. in LA. Two nights of murder and eight people dead. Manson and five of his loyalist family members all received the death penalty. In 1972 the Supreme Court struck down capital punishment so all death sentences were commuted to life.

Answer 4

Many people have often wondered the same thing. With the reinstatement of California's death penalty (1972 California v. Anderson) made it possible that any prisoner under a death sentence may file a 'habeas corpus' to modify the judgment to provide appropriate alternative punishment of life in prison, with or without parole. Under this provision, Manson's first parole hearing was 1978, a mere 7 years after he was found guilty of multiple counts of first degree murder. I doubt that I'm alone in the opinion that this was not 'appropriate punishment' considering the weight of his crimes.

Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi summed it up well. According to Bugliosi, Manson got away with murder when his death sentences were not upheld by the state. Bugliosi is correct. Nobody will deny that Manson is a scociopath, and it is a well known fact that this type personality not only survives but thrives in prison environments. Manson himself said he was being sent back to the only home he had ever known.

For the optimists among us, Manson can at least serve the purpose of research, making his life have some redeeming quality. Unfortunatelty, Manson has proven to be a very difficult subject. He rants, raves and rambles to the point of incoherence, making it nearly impossible to study the mind behind the crimes.

Answer 5

In August 1969, Manson ordered the murders of at least seven people at two different residenses. Members of his hippie cult 'family' were the actual killers. John 'Tex' Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkle, and Leslie Van Houten and except for Watson, who was tried at a later date, were tried with Manson.

A fifth member, Linda Kasabian, was present at the murders but was given immunity in exchange for her testimony at trial. Kasabian was the only one that did not kill anybody. She was ordered by Manson to go with only because she had a valid driver license.

All were given death sentences. Many people think that Manson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder only sinse he did not actually kill. But under California law, a conspiracy sentence is not eligible for the death penalty.

In 1972 capital punishment was struck down by the Supreme Court and all death senteces were reduced to life. At the time, the 'life without parole' did not exist in California so all are now eligible for parole. So far all have been been denied parole.

Answer 6

Yes, Manson was given the death penalty. But when the California Supreme Court eliminated the death penalty, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. He is still serving that sentence.

Answer 7

The state of Wisconsin does not have the death penalty.

Answer 8

He was a cult leader who sent his people to kill 9 persons.