Questions & Answers II

Q: What part did drugs play in the crimes?

A: I’ve always tried not to blame anyone or anything for the crimes except my choices and decisions; although drugs were certainly a major contributing factor. For two years, I smoked marijuana, took LSD for over a year and inhaled “speed” for thirty days before the crimes.

In 2019, I saw a documentary on PBS called “World War Speed”. Prior to WWII, all the major players had access to amphetamines (speed) from their pharmaceutical companies: Germany (Pervitin), England and the USA (Benzadrine). The Nazis used “speed” in either tablets, inhalers or injections for stimulating their soldiers in planes, tanks, submarines and on the ground. “Speed” was the driving force behind the Nazi aggression, plus England and the United States were using it as well.

I identified with the documentary because I felt the same effects of “speed” as portrayed in studies of soldiers’ alertness, aggression under fire, a sense of false power, energetic or an adrenaline rush, focused on a mission, fearless, hypervigilance, inability to make rational decisions, lacking a moral conscience, not caring, violent and a post-adrenaline crash—chemical insanity. Regretfully, I took “speed” to do what I couldn’t do without it, that is, commit the crimes for the Manson Family’s acceptance.

Q: Were you a drug dealer as alleged on Wikipedia?

A: This is blown way out of proportion by those who try to make drug dealing the motive of the crime rather than simply the Helter Skelter philosophy, For three months, I did live with a woman, who sold ounces of weed to support herself. I admitted this in my initial book, and that I took $2,500 from a drug dealer without having the weed. Regardless of other allegations, that is the extent of my drug dealing.

Q: What were the motives for the crimes?

A: The late prosecuting attorney Vincent Bugliosi lays these out in his book Helter Skelter, which are verified in my book Will You Die For Me? chapter Helter Skelter I, the first paragraph.

Q: What do you think of the book Helter Skelter?

A: I appreciate all the research, plus his epilogue - "a shared madness."

Q: What did you think about the Derek Chauvin verdict?

I’m thankful that justice was served for George and his family. I’ve tried to put myself in their shoes, not only grieving for them, but also for Derek. The prophet Micah wrote, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8)

I grieve with Derek, thinking, what if he had responded reasonably to the call, saying, “I know George, let me talk to him!” George would have explained himself and been able to calm himself, so the cuffs could then be removed, but Derek’s pride got to him. As Solomon warned: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

I pray for greater compassion in society, as we learn to suffer with one another. Remember “…when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14).

If you have a question, contact Charles.