Authorities are reportedly searching for human remains that allegedly may be linked to Charles Manson. Northeastern University Criminologist Jack Levin, who is the author of the new book, “Serial Killers and Sadistic Murderers: Up Close and Personal,” has spoken with the famous inmate and provided details of their conversations with Crimejunkies...
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU SPOKEN WITH CHARLES MANSON?
I interviewed [Charles] Manson by phone on a couple of occasions. We also corresponded over a period of time. I was also in contact with one of his close friends, a fellow inmate at Corcoran, as well as a dedicated follower who lives in North Carolina.
HE TOLD YOU THAT HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF THE "MOST FAMOUS PERSON WHO EVER LIVED?"
Yes, and he was only slightly exaggerating. Most of my students have heard of Manson. This is incredible considering that he committed his crimes several decades ago.
DID HE MURDER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING FAME?
Manson had an elaborate plan whereby he would eventually take over the world. His followers were to help precipitate a race war between blacks and whites which would ultimately be won by blacks. The victors would then ask Manson to rule. Not unlike many other notorious killers, Manson loves power and control. Gaining the attention of the nation is but one method that he has for achieving his objective, but his primary motivation for killing went far beyond achieving fame. He wanted to take over the world.
HAS HE EVER SPOKEN TO YOU ABOUT SHARON TATE?
No, though he implies that the victims deserved their untimely deaths.
AUTHORITIES HAVE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT A SEARCH IS BEING CONDUCTED FOR HUMAN REMAINS THAT ARE POSSIBLY LINKED TO MANSON. HAS HE SPOKEN TO YOU ABOUT THIS?
Not at all.
THROUGH YOUR RESEARCH, DO YOU THINK THE HUMAN REMAINS ARE CONNECTED TO MANSON?
It is entirely possible. Manson continues to claim that he is innocent. In a legal sense, this is possible. Keep in mind that he never physically attacked any of the victims. His followers who believed that Manson was Jesus Christ wanted desperately to please him. They were convinced that a mass murder of wealthy whites would help to start Helter Skelter, the race war Manson expected to occur. Manson told me that his followers--the actual killers--had free will, that they were bright and educated young people. He didn't command them, Manson said, but they carried out a plan of attack that they thought Manson wanted. This would make Manson morally but probably not legally guilty. In the early days of his cult following, Manson talked to his followers about love and peace. Yet Manson later on seems to have made a transition into a preoccupation with death. At this point, a loyal follower may have taken even more lives.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE FOR CHARLES MANSON IN PRISON? I'M ASSUMING HE'S KEPT AWAY FROM OTHER PRISONERS.
Manson is kept away from the general population of inmates, but he certainly has friends who surround him. One of his long-time companions--a three-time loser who committed a series of burglaries--serves as Manson's personal secretary. He answers Manson's mail, makes his appointments, and asks for those who correspond to send stamps. In many cases, Manson's secretary makes collect calls for Manson, and then puts the convicted killer on the phone when he reaches the party to whom he wants to speak.
MANSON IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AGAIN UNTIL 2012. DOES HE THINK HE WILL EVER SEE THE OUTSIDE OF THE PRISON WALLS?
No. Manson is resigned to serving a life sentence. He doesn't even attend his parole hearings.
AND FINALLY, DOES MANSON STILL HAVE A GROUP OF FOLLOWERS?
Manson is 73 years old, but he continues to have hundreds of dedicated followers both inside and outside of prison walls. Some have followed Manson since the early 1970s.
