Manson family released

This story was originally written by Juliet Bennett Rylah and published in It has been updated multiple times to reflect the status of various Manson family members. It was most recently updated July 11, with news that Leslie Van Houten had been paroled from prison after being denied parole more than 20 times. Have a question?

Ask us here. C harles Manson was a troubled youth who, after spending more than half of his life in prison, finagled his way into becoming a guru in the California hippie scene. Those who joined his commune demonstrated utter devotion, ultimately agreeing to participate in what Manson called Helter Skelter, named after the Beatles track of the same name.

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Helter Skelter had very little to do with the song, however. According to testimony from ex-followers , Manson intended to incite a race war by framing the Black Panthers for the murders of various wealthy, white people. He believed that once the race war began, he and his followers would hide until it had ended. He was certain Black people would win but wouldn't know how to govern themselves.

That's when he would emerge and take over. His followers bought into it and agreed to commit acts of unparalleled barbarity on their leader's behalf. The group became known as the Manson Family. Just after midnight on Aug. That property, now with the address Cielo Dr.