LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18 – Linda Kasabian testified yesterday she believed Charles Manson was “the Devil” after she witnessed one of the Tate-LaBianca murders and was afraid to tell authorities because she believed he might kill her daughter.

The 21-year-old mother of two, who has been on the witness stand 16 days, has testified she once believed Manson was “the Messiah,” but changed her mind in the early morning hours of Aug. 9. 1969, when she looked into the eyes of dying Polish playboy Voityck Frykowsky.

Frykowsky was one of five persons killed at the Benedict Canyon home of actress Sharon Tate, who also died in the slaughter. Manson and three female followers are on trial in connection with both the Tate murders and the slayings the next day of market owner Leno LaBianca and his wife.

The three female co-defendants are 19-year-old Leslie Van Houten, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel, both 22.

Mrs. Kasabian said after she saw Frykowsky killed, she thought of Manson and her daughter, Tanya, now 2 1/2. Both were at the Spahn Ranch near Chatsworth, stronghold of the 35-year-old Manson’s nomadic cult of young people.

“…Charlie entered into my head…and Tanya was there and I was afraid for her life,” Mrs. Kasabian said.

She also testified that she was afraid to go to authorities to tell of the murders because “I thought that policemen were “pigs.” I was afraid everybody would think I was crazy and maybe Charles would kill me and kill my little girl”

However, Mrs. Kasabian admitted she ran away from the ranch two days after the LaBiancas were slain, leaving her child behind.

She said at that time, it was “impossible” to take the little girl with her.

“…I just knew within myself that no harm would come to her and she would be all right,” Mrs. Kasabian added.

Mrs. Kasabian made the comments after trial Judge Charles H. Older allowed co-prosecutor Vincent T. Bugliosi to reopen direct examination.

It had been believed her testimony would conclude yesterday afternoon, but after an hour-long conference in the judge’s chambers, Bugliosi began questioning her once more about Manson and the murders.

The prosecution contends Manson masterminded the killings, although it admits he apparently did not participate in any of them.

Other statements made by Mrs. Kasabian under questioning by Bugliosi included:

That Manson often told her, “never ask why” and then would add, “love will never die.”

• That Manson was the “center” of suppertime discussions at the ranch, when all the “family” would get together to dine.

• That Manson “most of the time” discussed his “philosophy” during the suppertime gatherings.

• That Manson “talked about the ego and the soul — that the ego should die and that…the soul never knows the word “no” or “don’t.”

She also said she first believed Manson was a “beautiful man” and held that feeling most of the month she lived at the ranch.

Once, however, she said she doubted Manson’s being “Jesus Christ” because he “beat up” two of the young women who stayed there.

Later, Mrs. Kasabian testified, “I found justification for it…I questioned one of the girls (who had been struck by Manson).”

Manson smiled and said something during her testimony.

The prosecution objected to Manson’s “vocalizing” during the testimony and the cult chief was admonished to remain silent by Judge Older, who said that he had not heard what Manson said.

Mrs. Kasabian spent the month prior to the murders at the Spahn Ranch.

Mrs. Kasabian testified under questioning from Ronald Hughes, attorney for Miss Van Houten, that when she looked into Frykowski’s eyes, she had a “vision.”

“Was the vision similar to those you had on acid trips (LSD experiences)?” Hughes asked.

“Yeah,” Mrs. Kasabian said at first, but then added, “I don’t understand what he (Hughes) means by visions. I just mean thoughts.”

Hughes asked the young woman, who has been granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony, if she felt she was an “emissary” from God.

“Yes,” she said.

“Is it to see that the Devil gets justice?” Hughes asked.

“No, that’s not for me to do,” the witness answered.

She said she was not positive she was God’s “emissary” but in her heart she felt she was.

“Do you feel it’s your mission to tell who Charles Manson really is?” Hughes asked.

“Yes,” Mrs. Kasabian replied.

“Is this what God sent you here to do?” the attorney queried.

“That’s what I feel in my heart,” Mrs. Kasabian said. “I don’t know for sure.”

Hughes asked Mrs. Kasabian to explain what she meant when she said Manson was a “false prophet.”

Mrs. Kasabian said she felt Manson was “a person who prophesizes to delusions, false beliefs — a person who puts in confusion and lies (with a little bit of the truth).”

The questioning by Hughes was the first during the testimony from Mrs. Kasabian in which the defense had attempted to point up her alleged confused state of mind.

Most of the other cross examination of the witness has been of her admitted use of drugs and her five years on the road as a hippie.

Hughes asked the young woman if she was blaming Manson for the crimes to case her own “guilt.”

“I can’t put (my) guilt on him. That’s within my own soul,” Mrs. Kasabian answered.

Under Hughes’ questioning, Mrs. Kasabian testified Manson never physically abused her or yelled at her.

By SANDI METTETAL