CINCINNATI

Charles Manson died two weeks ago on November 19.  Here again is a reprint of my March 29, 2007 entry.  Not a feather in the city's cap but history, nonetheless. 

On this date in 1971, a jury recommended the death penalty for Charles Manson and three of his female followers in the Tate-LaBianca murders. Manson was given a life sentence because he did not participate in the killings but ordered them. Sharon Tate was an actress and the wife of famous director Roman Polanski. Manson ordered his 'family' members to go to the Polanski residence and kill whoever was there. Sharon Tate was 8-1/2 months pregnant. The next night, on Manson's orders, they went to the home of wealthy businessman Leno LaBianca and killed he and his wife. The Tate-LaBianca murders,Charles Manson and his family (cult followers), and the ensuing trial made up the most sensational news story of the era.

Charles Manson was born in General Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1934 to an unwed 16-year old mother named Kathleen Maddox. She later married a man named Manson. Charles never knew his real father. Charlie went to prestigious Walnut Hills High School based on his high IQ. He dropped out and attempted to live on the streets and survive by petty theft and the like. He ended up in reform school. His alcoholic mother disowned him and, according to Charles, once sold him for a pitcher of beer. He was in prison before he was 20. He eventually fled to California and was in prison there from 1958 through most of the 1960's. He picked up the guitar and became a musician/singer/song writer. He even recorded an album. Charles Manson will be up for parole this year (2007) at the age of 73.