Trial Of Tate Killers Opens In Sixty Days
Saturday, December 13th, 1969
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 – Dist. Atty. Evelle J. Younger says he has decided against challenging a court restriction on pretrial statements in the Tate-LaBianca slayings, even though he believes it may permit unfounded rumors to go unanswered.
Younger’s decision was announced after Charles M. Manson, leader of a hippie-type cult, was arraigned on murder-conspiracy charges Thursday before Judge William B. Keene in Superior Court.
Manson, 35, and five of his followers are accused in the gunshot and stabbing deaths last Aug. 9 of actress Sharon Tate and four others at her Benedict Canyon estate, plus the knifing deaths the next night of wealthy Hollywood grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife.
Younger said he expects to bring the case to trial within 60 days.
He said he expects Keene to authorize release of the grand jury transcript as soon as all defendants receive a copy and this, he said should help counter rumors.
He refused to comment on a Los Angeles Times report that the Manson “family”—as the clan was called—may be accused of as many as 14 killings, but told newsmen:
“Investigation of these individuals is continuing and is not limited to the two cases with which we are proceeding to trial.”
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