Manson Follower Who Tried to Kill Ford Leaving Prison

(NEWSER) - Attempted presidential assassin and Manson Family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme is free after more than 30 years in prison, ABC News reports. Fromme. 60, had completed her term for the attempted assassination of Gerald Ford—she didn’t get off a shot—but was held longer because of a 1987 breakout to be with Charles Manson, who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. More»

LAPD wants audio tapes that could yield new evidence

(NEWSER) - The horrific history of Charles Manson and his followers could soon be rewritten. The Los Angeles Police Department has asked for eight hours of decades-old audio recordings that could link the Manson family to more murders, reports NBC Los Angeles . The tapes feature conversations between Manson's former right-hand man, Charles "Tex" Watson, and Watson's lawyer Bill Boyd, and they have never before been heard by law enforcement. More»

He's no model prisoner

(NEWSER) - Photos of a clearly elderly, cloudy-eyed Charles Manson have been released by California prison officials one week before the notorious killing mastermind's parole hearing. The photos, taken last summer and provided to CNN , show a startlingly more frail Manson, 77, with long gray hair and a beard, the Nazi tattoo in the middle of his forehead fading. "He looks different," said a California Department of Corrections spokesman. Manson, whose death sentence was changed to life in prison, has been turned down for parole 11 times. He last appeared in person at a parole hearing 15 years ago. He hasn't been a model prisoner, notes CNN. In the last five years alone, Manson threatened a security guard, was found with a sharpened pen weapon, and discovered with a contraband cell phone, twice. More»

She was wearing it the night she was murdered, auctioneers claim

(NEWSER) - An engagement ring that an auction house says was worn by Sharon Tate the night she was murdered by Charles Manson's crazed followers is up for sale next week, reports the New York Daily News . Director Roman Polanski gave the Valley of the Dolls star the 4-karat opal stone in 1967, a year before they wed, and two years before members of the Manson Family cult stabbed her to death when she was eight months pregnant with Polanski's child. More»

Tex Watson trying for parole a 14th time

(NEWSER) - Relatives of some of the Manson Family's victims will gather at a California prison today to explain why they think Charles Manson's former right-hand man should not be freed. Seeking parole is Tex Watson—who has been in prison for 42 years for his role in seven horrific murders in 1969 by the Manson cult, including the death of pregnant actress Sharon Tate. Watson, 65—who married and divorced while in prison and fathered four children during conjugal visits—has been denied parole 13 times, notes AP . More»