The Tangled Mind of Charles Manson

The Murders

On August 9, 1969, Charles Manson instructed his followers to murder everybody in a house that he had designated. That night the Manson family went to the house of writer Roman Polanski. The Manson family killed five people they found at the house: Steven Parent a local teenager found shot dead in his car, Abby Folger, coffee heiress and her lover were found on the lawn of the home, Jay Sebring, a famous hairdresser and actress Sharon Tate along with her unborn child.

Upon arriving back at the Manson Ranch, Manson expressed his displeasure stating it was too messy and that very night, Manson along with the same four family members involved in the Tate murders, drove around looking for other victims. They came across the LaBianca home, Manson expressed to his family “don’t let them know their going to die.” The next morning the police found Leon and Rosemary LaBianca stabbed to death in their home. The murders were completed and the aftermath was just starting.

The Evolution

Trying to understand why a person could commit acts that are so horrible still baffles scientists and doctors. Here is an ordinary man, nothing particularly special about him, however, he was able motivate, inspire many to carry out his orders. How did an ordinary person develop the ability to control a group of people? What would possess a person to commit such brutal crimes? Some say his childhood was highly hostile to society, pathologically so, and he wanted revenge. One suggestion is that he targeted the Tate house because it represented his rejection by the show business community he wanted to enter, and that it was of no interest to him who his actual victims would be, or was it simply that Manson got a ‘kick’ out of death and control.

The murders were on the surface motiveless and unconnected to Manson, but some key motives were later identified. These are the answers everyone seeks when discussing serial killers and cult leaders. Although growing up, all the signs indicated Charles Manson could become a threat to himself or others. Charles had all the signs, he had superficial charm, he was manipulative, and Charles although small in stature had a grandiose personality and his followers often said he was “godlike.” Charles Manson never displayed remorse for the atrocities he manifested, but showed no emotion toward his victims, he blamed his victims for his actions.

The timeline that lead up to his heinous crimes demonstrates Manson’s evolution from ordinary person to infamous monster. Psychiatrists that studied Manson viewed him from 1951-1966 as the following:

• 1951 – A very sensitive but dangerous person; displayed aggressive and homosexual tendencies.
• 1952 – Described as having unpredictable behavior but could still be change his direction.
• 1955 – Was unable to demonstrate socially acceptable behavior.
• 1956 – A mediocre worker
• 1957 – As demonstrated unstable behavior.
• 1958 – Personality as withdrawn and began to demonstrate hostile behavior.
• 1961 – Demonstrate his need to rebel against society and participate in anti anything causes.
• 1963 – (Nearing the time of his release) institutionalized and in need of assistance in making the transition from prison to society.

Conclusion

In studying the history Charles Manson, it is impossible to miss the gradual change from an innocent child to a psychopathic killer. There was warning signs thought his life, starting with his relationship with his mother, to his need for survival. The events that transpired in his early childhood shaped his mind and set forth in motions the events that took place on August 9, 1969. Charles Manson had to survive, so he used the abilities to manipulate those who came in contact with; his followers believed he was larger than life; the family even described him as Christ like. Charles Manson has remained in the mainstream although in prison, psychiatrists want to study him, and others want to emulate him, but trying to understand him is truly impossible. Charles Manson has spent the majority of his life in prison but even today, bodies continue to be discovered and he continues to baffle the minds of everyone who crosses his path.