Did The Manson Family Have Other Victims?

[Suzie]

Did The Manson Family Have Other Victims? (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTkoowN1HULIAwgHQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBjdmNoOTV jBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12opa4kmd/EXP=1205801384/**http%3a//www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/16/national/main3942004.shtml)
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sch/bn/nw2.gif (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTkoowN1HULIAwwHQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBjdmNoOTV jBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12opa4kmd/EXP=1205801384/**http%3a//www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/16/national/main3942004.shtml)
CBS News - Mar 16 1:30 PMLeading forensic investigators are searching for new evidence of death - clues pointing to possible decades-old clandestine graves - where Charles Manson and his cult hid out in the high desert of California.

Couldn't he get the death penalty for those murders if convicted?

[DeclinetoState]

I don't think so. If you commit a murder with the death penalty in effect, then the death penalty is repealed, then it is reinstated, then you are convicted, you can't be executed. I think it falls under the "ex post facto" provision of the Constitution.

Manson has claimed he killed people, though I think he denied the Tate-LoBianco murders. Of course, the guy is an utter nutcase, so who can believe (or disbelieve) anything he says?

[Suzie]

But these are different murders if they do indeed prove it. You can't be tried for the same crime twice, but I would think you could be tried and convicted for murdering someone else.

[DeclinetoState]

He could be tried and (if proven guilty) convicted. But the stiffest sentence would be life in prison (meaning no more parole hearings every few years). I think that's about all.

[The_Sonarman]

I think it is almost certain there were additional people murdered by "the family". It is going to be difficult to build a case as to "who did it" given 40 years have passed. As far as we know, none of the parties involved have come forward with additional evidence or testimony.

[DeclinetoState]

Manson himself might come forth, though he even he might not be so dumb as to inentionally incriminate himself. I would assume his "family" members, at least those who are now out of prison, would not say anything that might get themselves sent back to the hoosegow.

The victims, unfortunately, can't say anything at all.