I'm not defending the idiot and third-rate actor Farrell here but.... Manson was not given the death penalty because at the time it was illegal. Later, when it became the practice again, they could not apply it retroactively to that piece of trash. I think he actually comes up for parole periodically, along with Sirhan Sirhan.
Manson was given the death penalty. It was changed when Rose Bird overturned it. Then the state via proposition voted her out of office and reinstated it.
But another thing is why doesn't Farrell try changing the law. Man, they vote on EVERYTHING out here - just put an anti-death penalty proposition on the ballot - hell, they could get enough signatures in Berkeley and S.F. to qualify.
They won't do it - because they know what the outcome would be -- California voters would reaffirm that they want the option to put scumsucking bottomfeeders like Williams down like the dogs they are. And they have no argument once they know how the voters feel.