AUSTIN, Tex, Jan. 5 – Charles Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, accused of murder and conspiracy in the Sharon Tate and LaBianca slayings, faced extradition hearings today in Austin, Tex., and Mobile, Ala.

Attorney Bill Boyd, who represents Watson, and attorney M. A. Marsal, representing Miss Krenwinkel, 22, contend there is insufficient evidence to warrant a return of their clients to California for trial in the mass murders.

California “has been inundated with publicity” in the case and his client cannot get a fair trial, Boyd has argued.

A circuit judge in Mobile ruled today that the extradition warrant for Miss Krenwinkel is valid and said he would rule later in the day on whether she actually should be extradited.

The state of California says it has fingerprints placing Miss Krenwinkel in the home of the slain Hollywood actress, Miss Tate.

It was reported Sunday the extradition papers for Miss Krenwinkel said a print found on the rear inside door of the Benedict Canyon home of Miss Tate matched a print taken by Mobile authorities after Miss Krenwinkel was arrested last month.

Texas Secretary of State Martin Dies Jr. presided at today’s extradition hearing for Watson, 24. The state’s case for returning Watson was assigned to Texas Asst. Atty. Gen. Gilbert Pena.

In Mobile, Circuit Judge Joseph M. Hocklander Jr, presided and Dist. Atty. Carl M. Booth of Mobile County argued for extradition of Miss Krenwinkel.

Dies will submit a recommendation to Texas Gov. Preston Smith who will decide on the extradition request from Gov. Reagan. Watson is in jail at McKinney, Tex.

Watson’s attorneys did not question California’s claim that fingerprints showed Watson was the person charged with the Tate murders. Fingerprint experts from California were not called to testify since the issue of Watson’s identity was not raised.

Two other accused persons are to go on trial Feb. 9.  They are Susan Atkins, 21, and Leslie Van Houten, 19. Miss Van Houten is accused only in the murder of market owner Leno LeBianca and his wife, killed in their home the night after the Aug. 9 killings of the blonde actress and four of her friends, hair stylist Jay Sebring, Playboy Voityck Frykowski, coffee heiress Abigail Folger and Steven Parent, 19.

Charles Manson, 35, the shaggy-haired leader of the hipple-style cult linked to the killings, has been permitted to act as his own attorney and has not entered a plea. He is due in court Jan. 14.

Linda Kasabian, 29, another of the accused, is to appear Tuesday. She, too, has not entered a plea.