Tate Trial Costs Set at $3 Million
Monday, September 14th, 1970
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14 – A $3 million price tag was placed today on the trial of hippie cult leader Charles Manson and three of his girl disciples as a county official chided the judge in the case for ordering a three-day “unnecessary and costly” delay.
Despite a letter from Supervisor Kenneth Hahn asking Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charles Older to reconsider his decision to recess the Tate-La Bianca trial so he, and counsel could attend the State Bar Association convention in Beverly Hills, Judge Older stood by his order. The trial is in recess today through Wednesday.
“In the interest of the best administration of justice, of economy in our judicial system and in fairness to the taxpayers,” Hahn asked that the trial be continued without the delay.
Judge Older, in answering the supervisor’s complaints, said he had “concluded that the recess will be beneficial to all concerned and the reasons for it far outweigh any disadvantages.”
Hahn, meanwhile, told newsmen he had called the delay to the attention of the presiding judge’s office in asking him to look into the situation, and is also expected to bring the matter up before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
Hahn, in keeping close check on the costs of the trial, claimed the final figure would reach $3 million. Costs alone to the county thus far, he said, have exceeded $300,000.
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