Charles Manson is a name most people have heard of. He covered the headlines of almost every newspaper in the United States. Manson led a group of people, that he referred to as "The Family", into a killing spree during the 1960's. He is responsible for the notorious Tate-LaBianca killings. As a cult leader, criminal, and murderer, Manson stands out as a one-of-a-kind killer. Manson was born November 12, 1934 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born to Kathleen Maddox, a 16 year old alcoholic and prosititute, who married William Manson. The marriage failed early on and Charles Manson was shipped to a boys school. Manson ran away from the boy's school back to his mother in 1947. His mother wanted nothing to do with him so Manson lived off of the streets. Charles's luck ran out and he was apprehended for burglary of a grocery store, his first known crime. He …show more content…
She became pregnant and had Manson's first son, Charles Jr. Manson. The couple later divorced after Manson was caught stealing cars and was sentenced to three years imprisonment. Rosalie was given custody of their son and Manson was released on probation in 1958. Manson was in and out of prison from 1958 for various crimes. After serving 10 years at McNeil Island in Washington State, Manson was released once again on March 21, 1967. The year following his release, Manson gathered a group of followers who also shared his passion for drugs and crime. According to The History Channel, "Manson preached his own blend of eccentric religious teachings to his acolytes...Manson said they should instigate the war by killing rich white people and trying to make it look like the work of blacks" (His. Channel). The Family consisted of more than 100 people, most of them were young girls. The Family moved to San Francisco in 1967 and then to a ranch in San Fernando Valley in the summer of 1968. Manson brainwashed the group into believing that he was