Helter Skelter

First of all, the reason no "insanity" defense was offered for Manson is because he refused to consent to it. Secondly, I do not for one moment believe that he IS insane. He was sane, clever, and calculating enough to orchestrate the murders without ever himself lifting a hand against the people his "family" killed. He is a narcissistic sociopath, but hardly insane. Every time he is interviewed on television, he goes into his little act, trying with his buggy eyes to intimidate all those with whom he interacts. He always wanted to be famous. Being convicted and spending his lifetime behind bars must just suit him fine. He is a celebrity in the most perverse sense of the word, and the worst punishment he could be handed would be for the world to ignore, forget, and banish him from the public eye for the remainder of his days.

I agree one hundred percent-But, I believe Manson to be totally criminally insane & that is different than lacalamita..I know people with bipolar disorder..They know the difference between right & wrong & would never consider using it as an excuse for ANY crime..Lotta people use it..

Charles Manson is crazy like a fox. He is a performer in the truest sense. His "bit", so to speak, is one part vaudeville, one part B-movie horror film and one part boogeyman. As a society we believe Manson is crazy because we've always been told he is crazy.

What people fail to consider is that the words crazy and insane are not always interchangable. They fail to consider that what Manson mainly did was bring together mostly educated, middle-class white kids. What better way to live out your "dark side" fantasies than to give yourself over to Charlie?

Instead of making Manson to the yardstick of "insanity" perhaps we should take the time to look critically at his crimes (more accurately the crimes he convinced other people to commit). Perhaps we should determine what characteristics he possessed that made people flock to him and support him for almost a lifetime.

I don't have a comment as much as a question. A few weeks ago the news was reporting a possible parole for one of Manson's followers because she had cancer and was dying. Did she get that parole and if so shame on the California system! She was sentenced to life WITHOUT Parole for the gruesome deaths attributed to her and the terror she caused people at that time. When does a life sentence mean "ok, you're sick so you can go home to die now.!" I thought it meant "you're going to die in prison as sentence for your crime" ???? I believe they called it a "compassionate parole" ?? How compassionate did she treat her victims? Thank you!

If the Charles Manson trial were happening today on Tru TV, what would your defense be???

What do you propose and what would the result be? I've got to tell you that I'm so tired of EVERYONE claiming to be crazy. No one takes responsibility for the lives that they took. Whether crazy or not, if they are a harm to themselves or others then they should be locked up, crazy or not.

Jami, I read your stuff every time you post something...and you are always on the mark! You are so talented and the way your heart comes through is a bonus!

Keep up the great writing!
C

Clarissa-

I'm sure Jami has your check in the mail.

Charles Manson is NOT crazy. The craziness, or at least weak mindedness, in the Manson Family case was among the "family members" who succumbed to the charisma of this vertically challenged used car saleman. He was able to round up a group of emotionally stunted individuals and seduce them into doing his bidding. There is a perverted intelligence at work, not insanity. His antics today are just to maintain the eerie image of evil that is Charles Manson. The only thing he has to hold on to in his waning years.