Beausoleil Must Die In Slaying
Tuesday, April 21st, 1970
LOS ANGELES, Apr. 21 – Robert Kenneth Beausoleil, convicted murderer of musician Gary Hinman, was condemned to die in the gas chamber today.
The verdict was returned by seven woman, five-man jury which last Saturday found the 22-year-old Beausoleil guilty of first-degree murder.
The jury deliberated on the penalty only two hours and 45 minutes.
Trial Judge William B. Keene scheduled May 12 for arguments on a motion for a new trial and formal sentencing.
In an unexpected move, Beausoleil asked Judge Keene to be allowed to represent himself in any further court proceedings.
The judge denied the motion.
“This court has condemned me to death. I plead with the court to let me have my voice,” Beausoleil replied.
Beausoleil’s words were similar to those of hippie chieftain Charles Manson, 35, who along with two others was indicted last week in the July 27 death of Hinman, 34.
Manson and five of his hippie family also are charged in the August murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others.
Beausoleil testified during his retrial that it was Manson who stabbed Hinman to death after the musician refused to join the family.
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