Linda Kasabian Testimony
Manson-Atkins-Krenwinkel-Van Houten Trial Testimony
Linda Kasabian cross-examined by Irving Kanarek (August 4, 1970):
(Meeting in Judge’s chambers. Hughes was ejected for being improperly
dressed. Hughes borrowed a jacket from a reporter and returned to chambers.
Discussed Nixon’s statements regarding Manson’s guilt. Older stated he had
windows of juror’s bus blackened so they would not see headline. Refused to
question jurors on whether they’d seen the headline.)
OLDER: I want to direct all counsel to remove from counsel table any news
containing any of this material so that they will not inadvertently be displayed
to the jury when the jury comes in.
KANAREK: I believe that this jury, with the facts of life being what they
are, this jury, I would believe it without being able to prove it, that this
jury knows what President Nixon said, the substance of what he said, and the
retraction is inadequate. The bell has rung; the Presidency of the United States
has been invoked and the President has declared that Mr. Manson is guilty.
And I say something else, without being able to prove it. The district
attorney of Los Angeles County is running for attorney general. I say it without
being able to prove it, that Evelle Younger and the President got together to do
this.
(Hughes asked the judge to censure Nixon. Denied. Kanarek moved for a
mistrial. Denied. Manson asked to make a motion. Granted.)
MANSON: Your Honor, in view of the publicity, and it doesn’t look like it is
going to stop, I request this court, as provided in the Constitution, to be able
to confront and cross-examine witnesses, to be able to take part in these
proceedings in order for the court, the jury, the spectators and the world that
is misinformed so badly, to take a look at what they are judging. It is easy to
sit and be quiet and have someone else speak, but they are not my words, they
are not my philosophy that you speak of, they are not my Family’s that you talk
of. All the things that the court seems to be confused about, I might be able to
assist and help you straighten this mess out, because you have certainly got a
mess, you have made a mess of the whole thing. You have made a mess of it.
(Older asked Manson if he was making a motion.)
MANSON: Yes, I am making a motion to be allowed to move as my own counsel and
have movement of the courtroom to cross-examine and to be confronted and
confront witnesses, with the assistance of an attorney who can help me in the
legal matters. Your Honor, each man has a reality, each man knows what he knows
to be true. For me to communicate to you, I have to use my reality because I
don’t know your reality. I know you are a pilot and I know you have been through
wars...
OLDER: Mr. Manson,... I am not going to let you continue unless you get back
on the track. Tell me precisely what relief you are seeking and you may argue in
support of that.
MANSON: This is the problem. The track that you are on and the track that I
am on is two different tracks. You judge me from a slanted view. I ask this
court if I may stand up and be a man and maintain my voice in the courtroom to
cross-examine witnesses that I am confronted with.
(Manson moved to be allowed to be his own attorney. Older stated "It would be
a miscarriage of justice to permit you to represent yourself in a case having
the complications that this case has." Motion denied. Manson stated, "Mr. Older,
I can’t accept you as being a good judge. A pilot maybe. The inadequacy is a
reflection of your own." Judge order him to be quite.)
(Missing testimony concerning two hitchhikers that Kasabian picked up after
the murders during her trip to Taos, New Mexico.)
Q: Now, did you tell this person that your name, at that time, when you spoke
with him, was Yana, but that your name used to be Linda?
A: Maybe.
Q: Well, would you reflect upon that for a moment and tell us whether, in
fact, you did state that your name was Yana and it used to be Linda?
A: Yes, I probably said that.
Q: Pardon? Excuse me?
A: I probably said that.
Q: Well, did you, in fact, say that?
A: Well, I can’t remember if I did say it.
Q: Well, what makes you think you probably said it?
A: It just sounds right.
Q: May I ask you what sounds right about it?
A: That I would say my name is Yana but it used to be Linda. It just sounds
right.
Q: Well, may I ask you why it sounds right?
A: I don’t understand.
Q: You don’t understand what?
A: Didn’t I answer it the way I am supposed to answer it?
Q: Well, has anyone told you that you are supposed to answer questions a
certain way?
A: No, but I thought I answered your question, but you keep asking.
Q: Well, my question is - may that question be read back, your Honor?
STOVITZ: Which question, counsel?
OLDER: Reframe the question, Mr. Kanarek. We have long since gone by it.
KANAREK: Very well.
Q: Why, Mrs. Kasabian, why did you say it sounds right that Yana was your
name at that time rather than Linda?
A: I still don’t understand.
Q: Well, may I ask you -you don’t understand the last question?
A: No, I don’t.
Q: Well, did you in fact, Mrs. Kasabian, say "My name is Yana, but my name
used to be Linda?" Did you in fact say that?
A: I probably did, yes.
Q: Then may I ask you, then, why do you say "probably?" Is there any doubt in
your mind as to whether you said "My name is Yana but it used to be Linda?"
STOVITZ: Objected to as argumentative, your Honor. She answered the question
three or four times.
KANAREK: I submit she hasn’t, your Honor.
STOVITZ: I submit the record speaks for itself, your Honor.
OLDER: You may answer.
A: I remember telling them my name was Yana and I just might have said "It
used to be Linda," but I’m not sure.
Q: May I ask you then, now, would you listen to this carefully, Mrs. Kasabian:
Why aren’t you sure as to whether or not you said that your name used to be
Linda?
STOVITZ: To which we object as being argumentative, your Honor.
OLDER: Sustained.
(Missing testimony.)
(After the noon recess, Manson held a newspaper up for the jury to see. The
headline was "Manson Guilty Nixon Declares." Remainder of day was spent on this
incident and questioning jurors.)
