The Charles Manson Trial: A Fragile Case Amidst Intense Pressure

In this episode of Crime Time Inc., host Alex delves into the precarious state of the prosecution's case against Charles Manson at the beginning of 1970. Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi faces a fragile case relying heavily on the testimony of Susan Atkins, whose cooperation is waning under intense pressure from Manson's loyal followers. Bugliosi must prove Manson's complete control over his followers to secure a conviction, all while struggling with a disorganized investigation and an unconventional, almost unbelievable motive rooted in Manson's twisted philosophy and the apocalyptic vision of 'Helter Skelter.'

00:00 Introduction to the Charles Manson Case

00:21 The Precarious Position of the Prosecution

02:02 The Investigation in Shambles

03:41 Manson's Influence from Jail

05:13 The Motive Debate

06:22 Extraordinary Measures and Courtroom Antics

08:42 Manson's Counterculture Hero Status

10:08 Key Witnesses and Manson's Philosophy

15:03 The Encounter at Cielo Drive

24:15 Understanding Manson's Motive

31:53 Building the Case Against Manson

38:22 The Nature of Evil and Missed Opportunities

47:13 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Tom Wood is a former murder squad detective and Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police in Scotland. Tom worked on many high profile murder cases including Robert Black, Peter Tobin and was part of the team investigating The World’s End Murders from day one until 37 years later when the culprit, Angus Sinclair was finally convicted. Tom was latterly the detective in overall charge of The World’s End murder investigation. 

Tom is now retired from the Police and is a successful author.

Tom Wood's Books

 Ruxton: The First Modern Murder https://amzn.eu/d/25k8KqG

The World's End Murders: The Inside Story https://amzn.eu/d/5U9nLoP

Simon is a retired Police Officer and the best selling author of The Ten Percent, https://amzn.eu/d/5trz6bs a memoir consisting of

stories from the first part of his career as a police officer. From joining in 1978,

being posted in Campbeltown in Argylll, becoming a detective on the Isle of

Bute, Scotland, through to the Serious Crime Squad and working in the busy Glasgow

station in Govan.

#CharlesManson,

#MansonMurders,

#truecrimepodcast,

#helterskelter,

#CrimeHistory,

Further reading on the Charles Manson which helped influence this podcast:

Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry

Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill

About Crime Time Inc.

Crime Time Inc. is hosted by Tom and Simon—two ex-cops with decades of frontline experience and zero tolerance for fluff. Tom, a by-the-book former Deputy Chief Constable from Edinburgh, and Simon, a rule-bending ex-undercover cop from Glasgow, bring sharp insight, dark humour, and plenty of East vs. West banter to every episode.

Whether they’re revisiting cases they worked on, grilling fellow former officers, or picking apart narrated true crime stories, Tom and Simon don’t just talk about crime—they’ve lived it. Real cases. Real cops. Real talk.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

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