LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 – Charles Manson revealed still another side of his multi-faceted character Wednesday when he told a judge he was capable of acting as his own lawyer when the Sharon Tate murder case comes to trial.

The bearded, long-haired hippie guru stood before Superior Judge William B. Keene and announced: “I would like to represent myself to start with.”

Manson, 35, said he would like two private attorneys to “help” him prepare his case, but added:

“In reading the Constitution, I have a voice, and I want to use that voice.”

When Keene said he would rule on Manson’s request Monday, after interrogating him to determine his competency, the slight defendant expressed disappointment.

“Your honor, if I have no voice I have nothing. If I can’t speak in my own defense, my hands are tied behind my back.

“Your honor, I want to retain my voice. I’m here conversing with you. I have an understanding of the charges. I have some knowledge of the law. I know about the publicity.”

Manson, songwriter, musician, poet, ex-convict and leader of a bizarre nomadic clan accused of murdering the actress and six others last August, spoke softly but in a steady voice.

Listening to the judge’s replies, he either tugged his beard or brushed a long yellow pencil against his right cheek. He clutched a note pad in his left hand.

Manson had not been scheduled to appear before Keene until next Monday on further legal proceedings in the Tate and LaBianca murder cases.

But at noon, the judge was advised by the public defender’s office, which has been representing Manson, that the defendant wanted private counsel substituted for the public one.

At an afternoon hearing, Keene asked Manson:

“Is that your desire, Mr. Manson?”

“Similar to that,” Manson replied.

When the judge asked him to explain, Manson made the disclosure that he wanted to represent himself.

Dep. Dist. Atty. Vincent Bugliosi, who with Dep. Dist. Atty. Aaron Stovitz, will prosecute Manson and six of his followers for the August murders, appeared startled by the defendant’s proposal.

Manson suggested that attorneys Luke McKissack and Lawrence W. Steinberg be substituted for the public defender’s office “to help me.”

McKissack and Steinberg argued in support of Manson’s proposal. McKissack asked the judge to rule on it immediately “so we can get started at once.”

Keene said he was not rejecting Manson’s request, in delaying a ruling until Monday, but that he could not determine if Manson were competent to act in his own behalf until “some interrogation by me.”

Asked later by newsmen if Manson, whose long criminal record has led him in and out of many courtrooms, possessed such competency, McKissack replied:

“He’s capable of making a substantial, contribution to the defense team,”

That “team,” said the lawyer, would be comprised of McKissack, Steinberg, investigator Michel McCowan and two other criminal attorneys, Ronald W. Hughes and George E. Shibley.

Meanwhile, the district attorney’s office said it had changed its position and will not oppose a separate trial for Susan Denise Atkins, 21, if such a motion is made by attorneys for any of the other defendants.

Miss Atkins’ testimony before the County Grand Jury last week reportedly implicated Manson, herself and the five other defendants in the murders and was believed to be the major factor leading to their indictments.

A severance of her case would be required if prosecutors wish to use her as a witness against the other defendants. A State Supreme Court decision requires a separate trial if statements made by one defendant incriminate others jointly charged.

By JERRY COHEN