Manson Involved in Musician’s Death, Jury Told
Saturday, April 4th, 1970
LOS ANGELES, Apr. 4 – Hippie leader Charles M. Manson, alleged mastermind of the Tate-LaBianca slayings, ordered the death last July of Malibu musician Gary Hinman, the prosecution charged in the Hinman case Friday.
In his opening statement at the retrial of Robert K. Beausoleil, Dep. Dist. Atty. Burton Katz said he expects to prove that Manson gave the command that led to Hinman’s torture-murder last July — about two weeks before the bizarre Tate-LaBianca killings.
Beausoleil stabbed Hinman, 34, twice in the chest after a telephone conversation with Manson, Katz told the seven-woman, five-man jury in Superior Judge William B. Keene’s courtroom.
Katz said Beausoleil told his victim:
“Society doesn’t need you. You’re a pig. You don’t deserve to live. You should thank me. I’m doing you a favor.”
Prior to Hinman’s death, Katz said, Manson went to Hinman’s home in Topanga Canyon and slashed off a portion of the musician’s ear with a sword.
Manson then returned to the Spahn Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, Katz told the jury, and later told Beausoleil over the phone:
“You know what to do…kill him…he knows too much.”
Katz said Beausoleil went to Hinman’s home Friday, July 25, accompanied by Susan Atkins and Mary Brunner, in an attempt to extort $20,000 from Hinman.
Manson visited the home after an initial call from Beausoleil, Katz said.
Manson reportedly ordered Hinman’s death after Beausoleil phoned again to tell him Hinman wasn’t cooperating, Katz said.
Beausoleil’s first trial last November ended when the jury was unable to return a verdict. Miss Atkins, also charged with the Tate-LaBianca slayings, is awaiting trial for the Hinman murder.
Neither Miss Brunner, also an alleged member of the Manson family, nor Manson has yet been charged in the Hinman murder.
Katz refused to comment on whether charges would be brought against them or Bruce Davis, another member of Manson’s clan who allegedly was present during the ear cutting episode.
In his 30-minute presentation to the jury before calling his first witness, Katz said he would produce witnesses who would prove that:
Beausoleil, Miss Atkins and Miss Brunner were the first to arrive at Hinman’s home. Beausoleil was carrying a knife in a leather sheath and a 9-mm automatic pistol.
After a brief conversation, Beausoleil pulled a gun and said to Hinman. “Lookie here. I want your money. I want 20 grand. Where’s it at?”
(Katz said in addition to the $20,000) the trio hoped to obtain the pink slips to Hinman’s two foreign-made automobiles and the deed to his house.
A short time after Beausoleil made his demand, he and Miss Atkins fought with Hinman for Beausoleil’s gun.
During a struggle the gun went off, the bullet striking a kitchen cupboard.
After Beausoleil subdued Hinman by breaking the handle of the gun over his head, Beausoleil made a telephone call to Manson.
He told Manson, “You better get up here. Gary ain’t cooperating.”
Katz told the panel that Manson, armed with a sword, and Davis, carrying a knife, went to Hinman’s home. According to the prosecutor, Hinman told Manson, “Look, get your people and get out of my house and leave me alone and I’ll call it scratch.”
At that point, Katz charged, Manson drew his sword and slashed Hinman’s face, cutting away half of his left ear.
Katz said Manson then said, “Look, you can cooperate with him (Beausoleil). Give us everything you got and you aren’t gonna get hurt. I want your money and anything else of any value or you’re gonna get killed.”
Manson and Davis then returned to the Spahn Ranch, Katz said.
Some time later, either late July 26 or early July 27. Beausoleil made a second call to Manson, at which time the hippie leader gave the order to execute Hinman, Katz said.
The prosecutor said before Beausoleil and the two others left Hinman’s home. Beausoleil wrote “political piggy” in blood on a wall above Hinman’s body and next to it left a mark indicating a panther’s paw, also in blood.
The word “pig” was also used at the scenes of the Tate and LaBianca slayings. Prior to his death, Hinman was tortured into signing the pink slips of his two cars over to Beausoleil, Katz told the jury.
Beausoleil was driving one of the vehicles when he was arrested Aug. 6 near San Luis Obispo.
Manson had lived with Hinman for a short time in 1868.
By DOUG SHUIT
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