Testimony Sought From Polanski
Wednesday, July 8th, 1970
LOS ANGELES, Jul. 8 – A prosecutor said Tuesday in Los Angeles that film director Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate’s husband, will testify at the trial of four persons accused of killing the actress and six other persons.
“I’m relatively sure he will come…I don’t think he will have to be subpoenaed,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Vincent Bugliosi.
He told newsmen Polanski’s was the first of several names which will he added to an already long list of probable prosecution witnesses. The total, he said, will exceed 90. More than 80 have been subpoenaed.
“I believe Polanski is living in Europe now,” said Bugliosi. “He will have to fly here for a day or two to testify.”
Polanski, known for his brilliance as a director of macabre movies of gothic horror, was in England when his blonde, pregnant wife was slain in their rented house along with four visitors, last Aug. 9. The next night, a market owner and his wife were killed nearby in a similar “ritualistic” fashion.
Bugliosi said he was barred by a court order from revealing what Polanski will testify about.
Meanwhile, jury selection continued in the trial of Charles Manson, 35, Susan Atkins, 21, Leslie Van Houten 20, and Patricia Krenwinkel, 22.
Ten additional prospective jurors were excused.
Since selection started more than three weeks ago, 119 persons have been questioned and 107 excused — many because they said it would be a hardship to be locked up in a hotel for up to six months.
One man was excused Tuesday for being biased after he viewed the long-haired defendants and said: “I can’t condone their mode of dress or their way of living.”
Manson was in prison denims, and the girls’ outfits were less flamboyant than at previous court sessions. All wore pants suits.
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