[Ramius]

The trial was in 1970 to 71. He led a cult that murdered a dozen or so people, including the most famous of them the family of Sharon Tate, an actress.

He never actually killed anyone, but exercised complete brainwashed control over his "family" of followers. They did all the killings at his command. Lynette "squeaky" Fromme, who later made an attempt on the life of President Ford, was one of his "family" that had been let out of jail.

You may not really want to know the details, or I'd post a link. Google, however will show more than enough.

[RosieCotton]

Thanks...I think that's about as much as I wanna know! *shudder*

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

The made-for-tv movie "Helter Skelter" (based on Bugliosi's book of the same name) covers the Manson matter pretty well, with a chilling performance by Steve Railsback as Manson.

IIRC, the stopped-watch story was included in the movie.

[Rose in RoseBear]

Sharon Tate being the wife of Roman Polanski, the child molester in French exile. Sharon was killed in 1969, and he raped the 13-year-old in 1974 or 1975.