PREVIEW. Excerpts from the chapter “Manson confesses”
(NOTE: In this chapter the dramatic Manson letters and postcards are excerpted and presented in a transcript form.
In this chapter he compares himself to Hitler, Genghis Khan and the mighty monarchs of the United Kingdom. He writes: “Im the law, police, judge, church, government.”
For the first time, in his own words, he confesses to his crimes. The Sharon Tate murders “are a warning to the nation.” “Yes Im a animal killer or whatever it takes for my own world & the people with me—”
“Ive come to live to kill…Ive got the power to do it the madness to carry it out & the dispensation from god.” “My knife is so sharp.”
On many occasions Manson giveth his permission to use his letters; on many occasions he taketh away his permission.
We also are witness to his many moods; his ups and downs in prison.
And we are able to view Charles Manson’s wit, occasional clarity of thought, wisdom, his insights and humor.)
August 20, 1975. First letter. Four legal-sized pages. From San Quentin.
In this letter he showed me his favorite word (play). This enabled me to break the Manson code as I was able to resonate with his Unconscious mind.
August 21 1975. Second letter. One page legal-sized pages. From San Quentin.
"Dear Richard, Ive been thinking about that smart letter I wrote to you yesterday. I was mad at the world. If I had a kecit (cassette) recorder and you had one –you could ask questions & I could answer. & you may be able to put a book together.
“Ive been in darkness so long that Im kinda blind…we can work out a
great book." PERMISSION. He giveth.
Post card from San Quentin 1975 (postmark blurred)
"You’re a nut—what you like or dont like about CM can stand in line with the rest who only judge there own reflections. Im not trying to beat you at any thing…Im a person of peace & a servant not a warrior." Git me a kecit” (NOTE: cassette recorder). PERMISSION. He giveth.
July 1 1976. from Vacaville. 6 page letter on 8 ½ paper.
CONFESSION: “Maybe if I got out I could mass murder & put new laws. Ive come to live to kill…Ive got the power to do it the madness to carry it out & the dispensation from god.”
July 7 1976 from Vacaville. 4 pages on 6”x9 ½ paper.
After lamenting about being confined to prison for 30 years, he again writes about dispensation. “I am the authority & hold dispensation.” (NOTE: He rules his subjects as a mighty monarch world. A dictionary definition of dispensation: “An exemption or release from an obligation or rule, granted by or as if by an authority. To pardon, to forgive.”)
July 29 1976. 4 page ltr from Vacaville on 8 ½ inch paper.
CONFESSES AGAIN IN FIRST PERSON. “Yes Im a animal killer or whatever it takes for my own world & the people with me—my knife is so sharp…”
In this part of the letter he focuses on my comment about a violent society: “Do you mean my society or yours—my society is peaceful.”
1976. postmark date not visible.
KEEP PRIVATE; DON’T PUBLISH: He taketh away.You should of realized a lot of what I wrote you was not for a book—I didn’t feel no book without a tape (recorder)—youll see what I mean when we talk—Im not in (to) paper words.”
The Secret Service paid him another visit. The guards wanted to cuff him so he refused to see the SS men.
He asked me to accept Lyn Fromme, Sandy Good, Bruce Davis & the others in the family.
He referred to the letter from Ed George (prison administrator) that said I might be a Manson follower and might be terminated corresponding with CM if they found proof. The letters CM sent to me to forward to Lyn & Sandy were not forwarded. I told him I could not do that.
KEEP PRIVATE: On the last page (page 3) he wrote, “You should of realized a lot of what I wrote you was not for a book.” He wants to have his words tape recorded.
(NOTE: He did co-author a book MANSON IN HIS OWN WORDS by CM & Nuel Emmons (his prison buddy who was released on parole). Manson never confessed in the book.
July 27 1976 from Vacaville. 4 pp on legal-sized paper.
DON’T PUBLISH THIS: “I see into much that few could ever realize.” DON’T PRINT WHAT IS CONFIDENTIAL. He asks me again not to print everything he tells me. He taketh away. Once again I remind him of our agreement. I am the writer. If I am censored I will not continue our journey.
August 2 1976. from Vacaville. 1 pp on legal-sized paper.
HE WANTS TO GET OUT OF PRISON TO KILL. Manson again voices concern over the ecological disaster, including whales beaching themselves “because the water is so bad.” I cant get out to start the killing –they got to be killed they got to stop doing what there doing
August 21 1976 from Vacaville. 1 page on legal-sized paper.
KILLING PEOPLE. This is the second letter postmarked August 2 1976. Manson moans about “being kept in the pit” (darkness). “Must I kill people to show them where there (they’re) at (on back of page 1). Let’s do a book. PERMISSION. He giveth.
August 9 1976 from Vacaville 4 pp on legal-sized paper.
PRAYER OF FELLOW PRISONER: Manson heard a fellow inmate say this prayer out loud one night: “God help me git out so I can start killing them. A-men.”
How CM is suffering: “No sunshine, no radio, visiting friends in handcuffs.”
DISPENSATION: “Ive got dispensation.”
He writes President Ford making the “F” into a swastika.
IN A CHILD’S MIND: “How does it feel to be dealing with a 10 year old brain in a 42 year old skull.”
August 12 1976 from Vacaville. 2 legal-sized pp.
I CAN KILL ANY ONE I WANT .
MY BOOK WILL BE UNREAL: I am too sain (sane) to see into his madness, thus my proposed book will not capture his essence. PERMISSION. He giveth.
ON KILLING PEOPLE: “My minds thoughts move people—Im thinking on top of more people now than you have ever seen—I can kill anyone or anything I want.”
ON LYN FROMME: Of all the family member, she picked up his vibes & performed his will on, although he doesn’t mention her attempt to kill President Ford.
ON DISPENSATION: “Im not unfair or unjust in my doings & Ive long been at work on a job I saw to be done.”
HE IS SUPERIOR TO OTHER BEINGS: “I think in mass mind on levels past the common brain.”
August 12 1976 from Vacaville. 2 legal-sized pp. This is letter 1 of 3.No sig.
MY BOOK WILL BE UNREAL: I am too sain (sane) to see into his madness, thus my proposed book will not capture his essence.
ON KILLING PEOPLE: “My minds thoughts move people—Im thinking on top of more people now than you have ever seen—I can kill anyone or anything I want.”
ON LYN FROMME: Of all the family member, she picked up his vibes & performed his will on, although he doesn’t mention her attempt to kill President Ford.
ON DISPENSATION: “Im not unfair or unjust in my doings & Ive long been at work on a job I saw to be done.”
HE IS SUPERIOR TO OTHER BEINGS: “I think in mass mind on levels past the common brain.”
August 12 1976 from Vacaville. 2 legal-sized pp. This is letter 2 of 3.No sig.
THE MURDERS WERE A WARNING: “I like Fromme & the rest of the family offered ourselves as a sort of warning & the dead bodies keep piling up…”
Manson sees us as “a bunch of blind people” who don’t know they are blind.
August 12 1976 from Vacaville. 2 legal-sized pp. This is letter 3 of 3.No sig.
ON KILLING & VIOLENCE: “Yes Im from & in a violent family but whats new about that would you call a lawn mower violent when its made to cut grass.”
ABOUT HIS SON: He wants to write to him if he could find his address. He said one day his son “will be here in the next cell.”
August 13 1976. from Vacaville. 4 legal-sized pages. .
Confesses again: “Yes Im a animal killer or whatever it takes for my own world & the people with me. My knife is so sharp.
CM claims I am misinformed. He dislikes the media, calling them “blood sucking scabs.” He’s thinking about NBC’s request for an interview. Then he writes that I should interview him. That will “afford me to set the record straight. How wonderful you are. Were you on your knees when you said that..” (NOT