• Ill Susan Returns to Trial Sobbing

Ill Susan Returns to Trial Sobbing

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2 – Sobbing and shaking visibly, Susan Atkins was escorted into Los Angeles Superior Court today to continue her trial — and that of three other Manson “family” members — for the Tate-LaBianca murders.

The ailment of the 21-year-old defendant had recessed the trial for three days while doctors at USC-County Medical Center attempted to diagnosis her ailment. She had complained of stomach pains.

Apparently still in pain, the girl was crying as deputies helped her to her chair at the counsel table. She was taken out of court several times before the trial finally resumed, one hour late.

First to take the stand was Los Angeles police officer M. Joseph Granado who resumed identifying blood spots found on clothing recovered several miles from the Tate home. Granado also testified that hairs found on blue jeans, part of the clothing allegedly used in the Tate murders, matched hairs taken from Miss Atkins while she was at Sybil Brand Institute for Women.

Earlier, Judge Charles H. Older denied a defense motion to stop “harassment” of the three girl defendants in the women’s jail.

Judge Older, in denying the motion, said he could find “no evidence of any harassment of these defendants…and the arrangements seem adequate and reasonable.”

He said an agreement between jailers and defense attorneys had been reached in chambers in which the attorneys could meet with their clients in the regular attorney room..

Defense attorneys had claimed that they were forced to use the visitor’s screen to talk with their client.

On trial with Miss Atkins are cult leader Charles Manson, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten.

By MARY NEISWENDER

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