LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10 – Charles “Tex” Watson, the remaining co-defendant in the Tate-LaBianca murder case, may be returned to Los Angeles by tomorrow, district attorney’s representatives reported.

The statement, however, was coupled with only guarded optimism by Chief Dep. Disk Atty. Joseph Busch and Dept. Dist. Atty. Joseph Carr, director of special operations.

The Fifth U.S. District Court of Appeals in New Orleans Tuesday denied Watson, 24, a rehearing on his appeal of extradition from Texas to California.

The action upheld an earlier ruling that he is to be extradited by Friday.

Watson’s attorney, Bill Boyd, may still appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, however.

“We anticipate no hearing will be granted by the U.S. Supreme Court and Texas will have to honor the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision,” said Busch.

Carr, meanwhile, noted, “We’re going to play it by ear.”

He explained Watson’s attorney may petition a U.S. Supreme Court justice, probably Justice Hugo Black, for a stay of extradition.

If that justice turns down the bid, another justice may be petitioned.

Carr explained the individual petitioning of the justices is permissible because the nation’s High Court is not now in session.

If a justice does grant a stay, Carr added, the chief justice may set aside the decision and order extradition.

The deputy district attorney noted Los Angeles police had been sent to Texas three times already to bring Watson back and each time, returned empty-handed because of another stay.

He said this time, Los Angeles authorities would wait until the “last minute” before sending officers to Texas to bring Watson back.

Carr anticipated final word would not be received until Friday or the week end.

Watson has been in custody in his home town of McKinney, Tex., since last Nov. 30.

He was indicted by the Los Angeles County Grand Jury nearly two weeks later, along with cult chief Charles Manson 35, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel, both 22, Leslie Van Houten 20 and Linda Kasabian 21.

Manson, Miss Atkins, Miss Krenwinkel and Miss Van Houten have been on trial in the Hall of Justice for the past 13 weeks in connection with the Aug. 9 and 10, 1969, murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others.

The trial has been recessed for the past three days because of the labor and admission days holidays and will resume tomorrow.

Mrs. Kasabian, meanwhile, testified for the prosecution early in the Manson trial and was freed in exchange for turning state’s evidence.

She claimed although she witnessed two of the murders, she did not actually participate.