LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1971
9:30 A.M.
-o0o-
(Upon the above date, defendant appearing in court with his counsel, Sam Bubrick, the People being represented by Stephen Kay, Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County, the following proceedings were had in Department 100 before the Honorable Malcolm M. Lucas, Judge Presiding:)
THE COURT: Call the matter of Charles Watson.
Is your true name Charles Watson, sir?
THE DEFENDANT: (Nods head affirmatively.)
THE COURT: I'm going to advise you of your constitutional rights in this matter, Case No. A-253156.
You are entitled to a speedy and public trial. You are entitled to a trial by jury or to a trial by the Court without a jury, if that is your wish
You have the right to be confronted with all witnesses testifying against you and you have the right to cross-examine those witnesses.
You have the right to the compulsory process of the Court for obtaining witnesses in your favor.
You have the right to have the assistance of counsel of your own choosing for your defense at all stages of the proceedings.
You have a right to testify in your own behalf; however, you cannot be compelled to be a witness against yourself.
In all case except capital cases you are entitled to be at liberty on reasonable bail. However, a defendant charged with an offense punishable with death cannot be admitted to bail if proof of his guilt is evident or the presumption thereof great.
Do you understand these rights as I have outlined for you, Mr. Watson?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes.
THE COURT: And do you have any questions about your constitutional rights that you want to ask me?
THE DEFENDANT: (Shakes head negatively.)
THE COURT: Have you received a copy of this Indictment? I assume that you have., Mr. Bubrick?
MR. BUBRICK: Yes, your Honor.
THE COURT: Yes, you may proceed.
MR. KAY: Thank you.
Mr. Watson, you have been indicted by the Grand Jury of the County of Los Angeles in Case No. A-253156 with seven counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.
Count I of that Indictment alleges in part that on or about the 9th day of August, 1969, you did murder Abigail Anne Folger, a human being; Count II alleges in part that on or about the 9th day of August, 1969, you did murder Wojiciech Frykowsiti, a human being; Count III alleges in part that on or about the 9th day of August, 1969, you did murder Steven Earl Parent, a human being; Count IV alleges in part that on or about the 9th day of August, 1969, you did murder Sharon Marie Polanski, a human being; Count V alleges in part that on, or about the 9th day of August, 1969, you did murder Thomas John Sebring, a human being; Count VI alleges in part that on or about the 10th day of August, 1969, you did murder Leno A. LaBianca, a human being; Count VII alleges in part that on or about the 10th day of August, 1969, you did murder Rosemary LaBianca, a human being.
Count VIII of the Indictment alleges in part that the 8th through the 10th day of August, 1969, you, along with Charles Manson, Patricia Krenwinkel, Susan Atkins, Linda Kasabian, and Leslie Van Houten, did conspire to commit murder in violation of Section 182.1 and 187 of the Penal Code of the State of California.
To these charges, how do you now plead?
MR. BUBRICK: Your Honor, at this time the defendant is not ready to enter his plea and I would ask that this matter -- eventually this plea and/or any further proceedings be continued until the date of April 13th.
The reason I’m asking for these additional six weeks is I am attempting, through the use of private documents and private facilities, to have a diagnostic study and diagnostic evaluation of this defendant prepared for -- it will be more helpful to determine the kind and nature of his plea at some future date.
I have been given assurance that I will be able to secure the necessary help.
THE COURT: What is the position of the People?
MR. KAY: Mr. Bubrick and I have discussed this and we have discussed this with your Honor in chambers and there will be no objection to this by the prosecution.
THE COURT: All right. The motion is granted.
The matter will be continued until April 13th at 9:00 a.m. in this department.
MR. BUBRICK: Thank you, your Honor.
THE COURT: You’re welcome.
(Whereupon, the matter was continued until April 13, 1971, at 9:00 a.m., in Department 100 for further proceedings.)
