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Manson family tapes must be handed over to police, judge orders Manson family tapes must be handed over to police, judge orders
(10 days later)
A federal judge has ordered taped conversations from 1969 between Manson family killer Charles "Tex" Watson and his now-dead lawyer turned over to Los Angeles police, who are investigating the cult's possible involvement in unsolved murders.A federal judge has ordered taped conversations from 1969 between Manson family killer Charles "Tex" Watson and his now-dead lawyer turned over to Los Angeles police, who are investigating the cult's possible involvement in unsolved murders.
The written order by US District Judge Richard Schell in Texas, made public on Tuesday, upholds a ruling last year by a federal bankruptcy judge. Watson had appealed the bankruptcy judge's order from the California prison where he is serving a life term, claiming that the tapes were protected under attorney-client privilege.The written order by US District Judge Richard Schell in Texas, made public on Tuesday, upholds a ruling last year by a federal bankruptcy judge. Watson had appealed the bankruptcy judge's order from the California prison where he is serving a life term, claiming that the tapes were protected under attorney-client privilege.
Some eight hours of discussions between Watson and his defence attorney Bill Boyd were recorded in 1969 after Watson was arrested in the Manson family murder of actress Sharon Tate and others in Los Angeles. The tapes surfaced years later, during federal bankruptcy proceedings involving Boyd's now-defunct law firm in Texas.Some eight hours of discussions between Watson and his defence attorney Bill Boyd were recorded in 1969 after Watson was arrested in the Manson family murder of actress Sharon Tate and others in Los Angeles. The tapes surfaced years later, during federal bankruptcy proceedings involving Boyd's now-defunct law firm in Texas.
"We're very pleased the judge ruled in our favour. We're looking forward to getting those tapes and thoroughly analysing the contents," Los Angeles Police spokesman Andrew Smith said."We're very pleased the judge ruled in our favour. We're looking forward to getting those tapes and thoroughly analysing the contents," Los Angeles Police spokesman Andrew Smith said.
"This Manson family crime spree is one of most notorious and heinous in Southern California history and we, the LAPD, believe we owe it to the victims and their families to ensure that every facet of this case is thoroughly and completely investigated, and we plan to do exactly that," Smith said."This Manson family crime spree is one of most notorious and heinous in Southern California history and we, the LAPD, believe we owe it to the victims and their families to ensure that every facet of this case is thoroughly and completely investigated, and we plan to do exactly that," Smith said.
If Watson does not appeal the ruling within 30 days, Los Angeles police detectives will travel to Texas to pick up the recordings which had been held pending the outcome of the bankruptcy case, Smith said.If Watson does not appeal the ruling within 30 days, Los Angeles police detectives will travel to Texas to pick up the recordings which had been held pending the outcome of the bankruptcy case, Smith said.
"We've got many unsolved homicide cases from that era here in Southern California and we're hoping maybe something on these tapes may tie the Manson family or any of these individuals to one of those homicides," he said."We've got many unsolved homicide cases from that era here in Southern California and we're hoping maybe something on these tapes may tie the Manson family or any of these individuals to one of those homicides," he said.
A Fort Worth, Texas-based attorney representing Watson in the case could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.A Fort Worth, Texas-based attorney representing Watson in the case could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
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