Charles Manson
Manson-Atkins-Krenwinkel-Van Houten Trial
Manson speaking to judge. Date unknown:
MANSON: Your Honor, you mentioned... you mentioned "reconsider." Then you
could possibly reconsider, if you can ask me to reconsider. Let me ask you to
reconsider. I have a position as well as your Honor has a position. My position
is still as strong as it was the first day I was arrested. The position that I
hold is as follows. The confusion that has been created around the situation can
be eliminated if your Honor would allow me to have my own voice in court. I am
not here to use dilatory tactics or cause confusion. I am not here to shout in
your courtroom. I am not here to fight with your bailiffs, and I am not here to
go against my brother. I am just here to try to explain what these two
gentlemen, even though sincere as they may be, they have no idea of what is
going on. They are still in the dark about the whole situation. They have a
bunch of facts; they have a bunch of things...
OLDER: What two gentlemen are you talking about?
MANSON: The district attorneys, they are very good at what they do, but they
are way out, they are on the edge of town, you know, like it’s...
OLDER: Are you making some kind of a motion, Mr. Manson?
MANSON: Yes, I’m making a motion, if I can finish. I listened to you.
OLDER: Just tell me what the motion is.
MANSON: It is my opinion that the court is not supposed to think, but
supposed to administer the laws that go into the book, Manson vs. the United
States. You give me a case...
OLDER: Mr. Manson I don’t want to hear a speech. If you have a motion or a
request, state it to the court so I would know what you want.
MANSON: I would like to associate in with Mr. Kanarek as my own counsel.
OLDER: I have already ruled on that several times. Your motion will be
denied.
MANSON: Yeah, okay, then you leave me nothing, you know, there is nothing
else I can do. You can kill me now.
OLDER: All right.
MANSON: You understand what I am saying to you? Do you understand what I am
saying to you?
OLDER: Is there anything further, gentlemen, before we resume in the
courtroom?
