‘Six Or More’ Tate Case Suspects

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32164, 6 December 1969, Page 13

‘Six Or More’ Tate Case Suspects

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5. Murder and conspiracy indictments will be sought against “six or more” members of a cult suspected of the Sharon Tate murders, United Press International reported yesterday. The Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney (Mr Aaron H. Stovitz) said he would ask the County Grand Jury to charge Charles Manson, leader of the cult, and other unnamed persons with the slayings. The group, known as the

Manson Family, may be connected with a total of 11 murders since the beginning of the year, authorities have indicated. It is expected that Susan Atkins, aged 21, the prosecution’s star witness, will testify voluntarily about a “band in black” that descended on the Tate home —and on the house of a wealthy couple a day later—in an orgy of murder that left seven persons dead. Several members of Manson’s band have been accused by police of the shootingstabbing slayings of Miss Tate, actress wife of the director, Roman Polanski, and six others.

But the only change thus far against Manson is in Independence, California, where he is charged with possessing stolen cars. One member of his group has said through lawyers that Mansoi was not present during five slayings at the Tate home or during three others for which some group members are blamed. Mr Stovitz said- he would seek murder and conspiracy indictments against at least six persons when he began presenting his case to the i Los Angeles County Grand . Jury today. He declined to name others against whom indictments i will be sought, and said that whether they would be ; charged depended on , whettier the Grand Jury believed the evidence.