Charles Manson Transferred To “Loss-Of-Privilege Module”
Saturday, February 7th, 1970
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 – Charles M. Manson, leader of a hippie-style cult implicated in the Sharon Tate murders, is in a new cell today — in what he calls “solitary confinement.”
He was transferred to it Friday — a busy day for the defendant held on murder-conspiracy charges. He appeared in court twice.
The first time, Manson, 35, acting as his own attorney, sought freedom on a writ of habeas corpus. Superior Court Judge Malcolm M Lucas rejected the motion. The second time he appeared with a co-defendant.
Manson is due for another court appearance Monday in the Aug. 9 gunshot-knifing killings of actress Sharon Tate and four visitors to her home and the knife slayings the following night of a wealthy grocer, Leno LaBianca, and his wife.
In his habeas corpus hearing, Manson complained he was in “solitary.”
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the clan leader had been transferred to a solitary cell in the central jail earlier in the day, but a spokesman said the official terminology is “loss-of-privilege module.”
Officials said Manson refused to leave his regular cell at 5 a.m. Friday for breakfast. Officers said this delayed the morning meal for all other prisoners in a special section for defendants who are acting as their own counsel.
In his afternoon court appearance, Manson was asked if he objected to a change in attorneys by co-defendant Leslie Louise Van Houten.
Laughing and with a shrug of the shoulders, he replied: “I don’t have any objections.”
He and Miss Van Houten grinned at each other and Manson made clowning gestures at the attractive teenager.
“You may think this is funny,” said the judge, “I don’t.” Miss Van Houten is accused only in the LaBianca murders. Manson and four other followers are charged in all seven deaths.
Jail officials said Manson’s confinement to the “loss-of-privilege module” will be for five days. They said he still may interview witnesses, use the law library and receive mail.
But he is forbidden visits from friends or relatives. Nor may he buy cigarettes or candy.
In his plea for dismissal of the charges against him, Manson argued unsuccessfully that the grand jury indictment was “illegitimate and unconstitutional.”
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