http://perdurabo10.tripod.com/id155.html
What is extraordinary about the case is that Manson was not present during any of the murders. The district attorney, 35-year-old Vincent T. Bugliosi, argued that Manson had created a religious cult and was controlling the minds of the family members around him. Bugliosi charged that Manson ordered the killings because he wanted to start a race war. It was a wild story and totally based on circumstantial evidence. There never has been any proof that Manson's little hippie colony in the desert was involved in any kind religious practice. They were merely a group of social misfits and dropouts. Because of his dynamic personality, Manson played the role of the leader, but no one has ever proven the others worshipped him.

Before the trial began, the Manson case became a political issue. President Richard M. Nixon condemned Manson on public television, calling him a dangerous cult leader.

The case by this time was drawing national attention and there was the usual media frenzy. By the time the trial started, nearly everyone in the country knew the story and heard Nixon's public allegations. The chances of a fair trial were almost nil.
circus time, the defence lawyers will have a field day, I would suspect that gerry spence might come out of retirement for this one.