Early Manson Recording

Nope no video, just audio.  This is quite good and it's really too bad he couldn't have stayed in this frame of mind instead of getting all witchy on everyone.

A Day In The Life Of Tex........

Ol' Tex discussing blaming his actions on Manson in this old interview that is posted on his ridiculous website, aboundinglove.org.

Here's the link

Gag me with a spoon! I am assuming this interview was conducted in 2003, since he was 58 at the time. There isn't anything revealing, or remarkable in it, if you ask me. Funny how he doesn't mention a damn thing about his participation in Shorty's murder. He specifically mentions just feeling bad about the 7 murders he participated in, and how God has forgiven him. His website also reports on his prison activities such as ministering fellow inmates on the yard, running his church, writing newsletters, and even drawing incredible, life-like furry & fuzzy pussies. I wonder if he does that by memory, since, technically, he did see a lot of that same subject matter out at Spahn's ranch, right?

See what I mean:

Tex's website also includes a movie review from the last piece-of-caca Helter Skelter movie they made starring Jeremy Davies. He even had a rating system attached to the review at the bottom. How does he find the time?

Tex's Helter Skelter movie (2004) review:

I question the need for another "Helter Skelter" movie. These crimes, which I deeply regret, were atrocious. It was a tragedy not only for the victims, but for their families, to whom I eternally and humbly apologize. I owe a debt to society that I can never repay, but I can pass along insights for constructive purposes with what's left of my life. I am saddened to see the hunger our society has for this phenomena. One day, I believe this evil will be overcome by good.

This new version, by writer-director John Gray, will be responsible for awakening and shaping the minds and beliefs of a new generation concerning the Manson family. The true sense of what Manson personified could only be known by his former followers, who know how they were manipulated. I feel after the movie, viewers were still asking themselves how and why? It seems Gray had his own agenda in mind, focusing more on externals, instead of helping his audience to understand the internal transformation that took place in the hearts of Manson's followers to carry out such savage acts.

This movie distorted the characterization of Manson and his former followers, but in all fairness, we were told it was dramatized and fictionalized at the start. CBS's executive producer Mark Wolper told TV Guide, "We want to create a film that was really, really scary to overcome the retro-cult fascinated with Manson." In my view, greater emphasis should have been given to the deceptive philosophy of Manson rather than emphasizing "scariness." If the purpose was to empower people to not be enticed by cults; I question the ability to scare people straight. Instead viewers left the movie fearful, with Manson's face embedded in their minds. To protect impressionable minds and overcome cult fascination, sound belief systems must be developed based on a loving God who satisfies a longing soul. To the contrary, this movie has now enflamed the world with fear and hatred, from this presentation of the Manson Family's demonic wave of horror.

The mistake is often made to show Manson as a hyper, long haired, arm waving, wild man. This was his court persona and how we see him acting out in interviews after the crime. Because the movie started one month before the crimes, in July, 1969, the timeline did not allow the viewers to see the progressive change in Manson for the previous year, after his release from prison. At that time, he was calm, young looking, personally charismatic, with short hair (at first). He gradually changed to a madman, able to deceive his followers. This gradual change, we all experienced was sadly missing; so the viewers were left asking themselves how these kids could be turned into killers. At one point in this movie, even Vincent Bugliosi questioned this.

This movie depicts Manson as a drug-crazed, want-to-be rock star, who sends his groupies out to kill in anger and revenge to start "Helter Skelter". If he appeared like that to us from the start, we would never have followed him. Those willing to die for Manson, were not willing to die for the madman portrayed in the movie, but for a man whose philosophy deceived us. I was in turmoil when I realized his philosophical doctrines were all lies, designed to enslave us to his plan.

We see exactly the same thing when we see terrorists lay down their lives for a cause of their leader. The suicide bombers have come to believe the philosophy they have been taught by their charismatic leaders. The world sees their leaders as crazy lunatics and can't understand why anyone would follow them, especially parents who offer their children to the cause.

The Manson family was made up of young adults who were depressed, with spiritual and psychological problems, often coming from dysfunctional families. We were often hungry, eating from garbage cans, a dirty bunch, bathing in creeks or taking cold showers at best. We were a small, lost, demonized cult of 16 hard-core followers and several drifters, who lacked identity and acceptance. We were looking for answers from Manson. After it was too late, we found he had no answers, only a mixture of philosophies he manipulated to make us believe we were much more than we were.

The role of drugs and music were under emphasized, relative to Manson's ability to capture our beliefs and deceive us. The drugs caused us to become gullible with an openness to accept his ideas. His music helped to hypnotize us, making us willing to do anything he requested for the cause of "Helter Skelter". Charlie sung the family into a trance while on drugs, but the actor in the movie, Jeremy Davies, hardly ever sang. I was surprised that the movie depicted me as sniffing methamphethetamine in the car before the final crime. Actually, I did this before leaving the ranch. The actor portraying me did not look as young as I did and walked with more maturity and authority. I was aloof, a heavy thinker, mesmerized by the philosophy of Manson's mission and drug crazed as seen from my jail photo while on the hallucinogenic plant belladona.

Jeremy Davies' did a superb job imitating Manson in the scene on the beach, wildly explaining the "Helter Skelter" philosophy. More scenes of this nature may have helped the viewer to understand Manson's twisted logic. But in reality, does any of it make sense? Even Manson himself would have us believe that, "No sense, makes sense!"

Manson's deceptive "Helter Skelter" philosophy depicted his true motive for the crime, not his anger towards Terry Melcher, Doris Day's son, who would not give Charlie a recording contract. In the "Helter Skelter " chapter of my book, Will You Die For Me?, I share other motives, those being: a copycat murder to free Bobby Beausoleil from jail, a connection the prosecution failed to acknowledge at first; and to obtain money to finance "Helter Skelter" and to pay Mary Brunner's bail. These were the motives. Manson became impatient to prove his "Helter Skelter" philosophy, so he saw his opportunity to start it by choosing Melcher's residence, although he knew he no longer lived there. I was surprised the script showed Manson going to the residence the night before the murders and being offended, because I was not aware of that until years later.

I felt Vincent Bugliosi's book, "Helter Skelter", written in 1974, was about 85% accurate in its portrayal of what it covered. It's much more difficult to portray character traits. The movie did tell the story, but roles were overplayed, especially Susan Atkins, and there were factual errors. For instance: ID's were not all put in one box. Dogs did not eat before the family did. No spotlights were at the ranch. The $5000 was given to me by Linda, and I gave it to Manson. Many times I wish I had left and gone back to Texas with that money. I'm certain many others do too. There were no girls kissing one another, and there were no orgies as depicted. The girls wore no make up and were not Hollywood dolls. Dennis' beach house was not on the beach. Spahn's ranch had no lake. I don't remember Manson ever physically abusing the girls. As far as the crime is concerned, Manson gave me the specific orders on a long walk that night. The phone wire was cut away from the house on the left side of the road. The car was parked far down the hill. It was extremely difficult to carry out Manson's orders. No one enjoyed what they were doing, like the girls were portrayed as doing. After the crime, we reported to Manson in the bunk house, very low-key with him not happy, and there was no celebration by the family in front of a television.

My book Will You Die For Me? shares a view from someone who was there. It describes these crimes chronologically from audio recordings made just four months after the murders occurred. It appears some of the research for the movie must have come from my writings. I can speak of the crimes today, because they are behind me. I face my past truthfully, with a healthy identity. But still, the enactment left me drained, butterflies and knots in my stomach and deeply saddened by the pain I have caused, even though that person who killed so freely is not alive any longer. He died spiritually and is now forgiven, and made new by the righteous sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

I've also tried to present additional insights in my new book Manson's Right-Hand Man Speaks Out! This book consists of my answers to over 200 interview questions I am most often asked. The movie fails to tell the powerful story of how a convicted killer can change and after all these years become an asset to others with him in prison. The movie presents the bad news, but shouldn't we look for some good news in the midst of such agony? It is seldom told how one of the victim's family member portrayed in the movie has forgiven me. These are stories of hope, rather than the perpetuation of Manson's evil ideas. For this reason, the Christian outreach of www.aboundinglove.org was created.

Overall, the movie was fairly accurate in its representation of what we were willing to do, and what we did for Manson. The Manson case has taken on a life of its own. It does not deserve all of this attention. The story does not end with the arrest, conviction and incarceration of those caught up in this story. The pain will never completely go away, but at the same time for some of us, there has been a new beginning based upon the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Historical Accuracy	Character Portrayals:
Dialogue? 6 Script? 6 Settings? 7 Crime? 7	Manson? 8 Watson? 5 The Girls? 5

The Beach Boys and the Satan (2008)

Thank you, Chatsworth Charlie!

It Ain't Open Yet

So there's been a lot of hoop-lala about the re-opening of the LA Hall of Justice and a museum that will include a refurbished courtroom and the cell where Charlie was held during his 1970-1971 trial.  This last Wednesday, October 8th was the "re-dedication" of the building (see Backporch Tape's youtube post, here).

One would assume that immediately after a re-dedication of the building and museum, that the public would be allowed to visit thereafter.  Not so, Patty and Stoner Van Houten discovered on Thursday. They happily approached the building where three separate LA area newsvans were parked, wondering if Stoner would be interviewed in his Leslie shirt, if he would direct them to his Spahn Ranch Worker channel on youtube. They were way excited.

They made their way up the empty stairs and into the foyer where you will recognize this marbled shell where Red and Blue once posed. Wow! This is gonna be good, they mused.  Just then, two security guards approached and let them know that they were not allowed to be where they were, that the museum will not be open until next year! What a letdown. Oh, well.

If you know Stoner, you know that he is not one to let a little thing like that ruin his day.  So, they went around the corner and posed for this beauty.  Check out the look on the passerby's face:  priceless!

Anywhoo, don't go down there yet, because it ain't open!

Pt 2 Jay's Cherished Ring: Sharon Tate, The Beatles, Charles Manson, Satanism & Hollywood

Thanks, William Marshall!

Pt 1 Sharon's Premonition: Sharon Tate, Charles Manson, The Beatles & Hollywood's Satanic Spell

Thanks, William Marshall!

Coda: The Mendocino Murders

Coda - a passage that ends a 
musical piece following 
the main body.

Judging by comments in the Witches of Mendocino Files posts we think there are some readers who aren't completely familiar with why that incident is important to the overall story - that many people still believe that the Manson Family may have been responsible for the murders of Clyda Dulaney and Nancy Warren.

Here is a recap of the entire story.

As you may remember, Manson sent a group of Family members up to Mendocino County to scout for a new permanent residence. This happened around May of 1968. Sadie, Mary and the gang were zealously trying to gain young recruits. They were dirty - they stunk and the bus stunk - they were also high profile with their drug use, even though they had infants in tow. The locals branded them the "Witches of Mendocino."

On June 21, 1968 they apparently dosed 17 year-old Allen Rosenthal on some acid. His mother called law enforcement. When they responded Allen was babbling about his legs being like snakes. Mom pointed the finger at the "Witches" and the raid was on.

The Manson Family (although they weren't called that publicly yet) were now the biggest story in Mendocino.

---

Here's something interesting we learned while researching the Mendocino fiasco:

In Mendocino County, Boonville and the Anderson Valley has its own language called Boontling. Here's the wiki on it as well as a video. They're not a definitive on the language but they give us a good idea of how it works. The Wiki article has references if any of you care to learn more. We wonder if the Witches may have picked up on Boontling and used a variation they created themselves. ZuZu's for candy comes to mind. The Family was well known to cackle in a language that only those in the know would have any idea what they were talking about. Is this where it began?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boontling

---

Law enforcement now began to run down leads in the case. Here are two articles from the Ukiah Press Democrat from October 15, 1968:

The second article tells the story of Clyda Dulany's children and what happened the morning the murders were discovered by her oldest son Johnny, who was seven years old at the time. Johnny having seen the bodies of his mother and grandmother woke his brothers. The grabbed their piggy banks and ran to a neighbor a quarter of a mile away.

This spurred Manson Blog to locate Johnny Ussery if he were indeed still living. We was and we did. He agreed to an interview. Our then Southeastern US Correspondent (St Circumstance) was dispatched to Johnny's house. Here is some of what he told Saint in his own words:

"I knew I was late because I could see the sun shining through my window, and that normally hasn't happened yet when I wake up.  I went out to my mother's bedroom and I immediately noticed the bed was still made, which I thought was weird. Her purse was open and dumped out all over the bed, which nobody had slept in. None of it made any sense. I went outside. There was a gravel walkway between our trailer and my grandmother's trailer. My grandmother lived in one trailer by herself, and mom, me and my brothers lived in another trailer right next door. We always went over there for meals and stuff. I went outside and right away I saw mom lying on the gravel between the trailers. The thing I'll never forget is that she was blonde, and her face looked the same color as her hair. She was all white. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I screamed like crazy and ran into my grandmothers trailer. The first thing I noticed was that the television was still on, but the screen was fuzzy. Then I saw her lying there the same way as mom. I ran out of there.  I didn’t want to pass back by my mother, so I went out of the back of my grandmother's trailer and went around the back to ours. I got up my brothers and dressed them and started to get them out of there. I will never understand why, but something made me stop and grab the three piggy banks we kept on top of the refrigerator. With one each in our arms, we ran to a neighbor’s house where I told them mommy and grandma are dead. I remember after a little while looking across the field at the trailer and seeing all the cop cars. I remember everything up to that point crystal clear."

"To my knowledge, nobody ever asked me a single time about the crimes. not one police officer ever. But remember what I told you earlier, after I got to the neighbors and told them what I had found, the next few years are mostly a blur. I don't remember almost anything. That lawsuit was really instigated by one person and any details of number, or sex, didn’t come from me. This person is the one who always pushed that stuff."

"You know what, you might think this is interesting too. My father did an unusual amount  of time in prison back in the day. You know how Charlie Manson is in Corcoran Prison now? Well, he used to be in this prison called Vacaville. Well, dad was at Vacaville for a while, and he told me he was walking down the halls one day with a bunch of guys, and they see Charlie Manson sweeping one of the floors. That was his job at the time - sweeping floors. Anyway, my dad sees he is not looking at them and shouts over to Charlie, 'Hey, who did that thing up in Ukiah?' Now dad told me there was no way Charlie could have known exactly which guy yelled it at him, but he looked up and looked dad right in the eye. He said back directly to dad, 'You'll never know will ya?' Then he looked back down and went back to sweeping without another word. Dad said it was eerie having him stare right into his eyes like that..."

"I’d love to find out who killed my mother and grandmother", Johnny told St. C. "Many others do as well", St. Circumstance replied back.

One result of publishing that story was that a childhood friend of Johnny's (Ginger) was able to make contact with him and now Johnny has pictures and home move clips of his mom that were presumed lost. That if nothing else made the endeavor worthwhile:

Clyda Dulaney

These murders were never officially solved. The presence of Manson Family members at the time in Mendocino County have led many to speculate that they could have been the culprits. Here is a 2008 Anderson Valley Advertiser article discussing the Dulaney/Warren murders. The Warren/Dulaney case begins about midway down column 1 :

Our posts on this topic were eye-opening to the authors of this blog. Not mentioned in the posts in any detail was that we also found and spoke to detectives and reporters from Mendocino County. Those contacts and other clues formed our personal opinions on what may have really happened. For now, we'll have to keep those cards close to our chests.

The Witches of Mendocino Court Files (The Complete 83 Page PDF)

The Witches of Mendocino Court Files is now available to download. It has been compiled into a single 83 page PDF. CieloDrive.com has graciously agreed to host the document.

You can download it HERE. 

Thanks, CieloDrive!

Paul Crockett's Marriage

Did you know that Paul Crockett got married to his long time wife on the 10th anniversary of the Tate murders?  I did some checking and found that the 8th of August was on a Wednesday in 1979 so it seems like that date was deliberately chosen.

How about that!  Celebrating what should be a joyous occasion on the anniversary of the Tate murders somehow seems weird, creepy and bizarre considering that he was so closely involved with the case and Family members.

The first document has Paul's middle name misspelled and the second document amends the first.

The Witches of Mendocino Court Files Part 2

Here is the report from the Mendocino County Probation Department on Mary Brunner. It is less kind to Mary than Sadie's report was to her. I suppose it had something to do with Mary having been college educated and being a mother. The report certainly frowned on Mary having allowed Cathran Smith/Patricia Krenwinkel to claim Michael as her own child.

We hope to make the entire file available to everyone soon. There is more good stuff along with the procedural documents.