Helter Skelter

William Garretson is arrested after the discovery of Sharon Tate's bodies. He is released three days later for lack of evidence. The investigation shows the police reluctance to connect the Tate killings to the Hinman murder and the LaBianca killings.

Police downplay any connection between the Tate killings and the Hinman and LaBianca murders, despite eerie similarities in the crime scenes. They largely pursue a drug-related angle rather than pursuing a broader homicide link.

Police raid Spahn Ranch in an attempt to break up an auto theft ring and arrest Charles Manson and his followers. The raid marks a pivotal moment, bringing the Manson Family into sharper public view and accelerating the investigation.

Nine-year-old Steven Quint discovers a gun and his father turns it over to the police, where it is ignored. The missed lead foreshadows how key clues can slip through the cracks in the case.

The Manson Family is released from prison and later two girls fleeing Death Valley tell police that the group has moved to Barker Ranch. They also implicate Susan Atkins in the Hinman murder.

Susan Atkins is arrested and, while in custody, reveals to inmate Ronnie Howard that she killed Sharon Tate and was involved in eleven other killings. This revelation intensifies the investigation and begins to tie Atkins to the Tate case.

Los Angeles District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi interviews former Manson associate Danny DeCarlo, who tours Spahn Ranch and says Manson possessed a .22 caliber Buntline revolver matching the one used in the murders. The claim helps establish a physical link between the accused and the crime.

Ronnie Howard calls the homicide division to relay Susan Atkins's confession. Bugliosi requests a high bail for Manson's trial to buy time to build the murder case.

Bugliosi interviews the Manson Girls and obtains arrest warrants for participants in the killings. Linda Kasabian turns herself in on the warrant, and fingerprints of Tex Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel are matched to those found at the Tate residence.

During the grand jury proceedings, Susan provides full details of the Tate and LaBianca killings. As a result, Susan, Leslie Van Houten, Tex Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, Linda Kasabian, and Manson are all brought up on charges.

A reporter and photographer retrace the crime as reported in the newspaper and locate where the bloody clothes were discarded. Steven's father calls to ask about the revolver, but the police dismiss him, prompting him to go to the news to publicize the probe. Bugliosi uses ballistics testing to link the revolver to Jay Sebring's murder.

Manson chooses to represent himself at trial, but Bugliosi manipulates the situation to push for delays, giving the prosecution more time to prepare. The strategy helps ensure a more thorough case against the defendants.

Bugliosi interviews former Manson Family member Paul Watkins, who explains Manson's belief that the Beatles were sending him messages to spark a race war called Helter Skelter. The interview reinforces the prosecution's narrative of Manson's influence over the group.

During the trial, Linda Kasabian testifies about the Tate and LaBianca killings despite defense objections. Manson leaps toward the judge during proceedings and is subdued. Because of ongoing disruptions, the court orders the defendants out of the courtroom during the closing arguments.

All defendants are sentenced to death. California later eliminates the death penalty in 1972, making them eligible to apply for parole in the future.