• Manson, Atkins Face Trial In Two Other Murder Cases

Manson, Atkins Face Trial In Two Other Murder Cases

LOS ANGELES, Apr. 1 — “It’s over.” A weary newsman scrawled that phrase on the blackboard in the pressroom of the Hall of Justice.

It referred to the end of the marathon Tate-LaBianca murder trial.

But it is not the end of the prosecution of condemned murderers Charles Manson and Susan Atkins.

They face pre-trial motions tomorrow in still other murder cases.

Manson 36, described as the “satanic master mind” of the Tate-LaBianca murders, is charged with two more killings — those of Malibu musician Gary Hinman, and Spahn Ranch hand Donald (Shorty) Shea.

Miss Atkins 22, who admitted from the witness stand her actual participation in the Tate-LaBianca slayings, is accused of Hinman’s murder.

Hinman was stabbed, beaten and smothered in his Malibu home July 27, 1969.

Shea, whose body was never found, was allegedly murdered sometime between Aug. 16 and Sept 1, 1969

Besides Manson and Miss Atkins, Bruce Davis, another Manson “family” member, is charged with Hinman’s murder.

Davis, along with Manson and cult follower Stephen Grogan, allegedly killed Shea.

The Hinman-Shea cases were consolidated for trial by one County Grand Jury indictment.

This fact will be challenged by defense attorneys tomorrow before Superior Court Judge Raymond Choate.

One of the grounds for the objections is that it would be prejudicial to the defendants to join the two murder trials.

Because Manson and Miss Atkins already are under death sentences for the Tate-LaBianca murders lawyers for the other two defendants claim they could not be tried fairly with the cult leader and the girl.

The motions before Judge Choate are scheduled for 9 am.

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