THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS OF CHARLES MANSON

Final Presentation by Tabitha Burnett

Charles Manson & His “Family”:A cult that followed Mansion’s beliefs of “ Helter Skelter”.

“Helter Skelter”

Charles Manson believed in the idea that “an apocalyptic war he believed would arise from tension over racial relations between blacks and whites” (DZBO, 1). He named this prediction “Helter Skelter” after a Beatles song written by Paul McCartney.

Video of The Beatles “Helter Skelter”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmlHzE8NLvs&feature=player_embedded

From Music To Murder

Charles Manson “and the Family would create an album with songs whose messages concerning the war would be as subtle as those he had heard in songs of The Beatles” (Wiki, 1).

Deriving from the belief that the white man was going to be conquered and black man was going to rise, Manson and his followers defaulted to murder of seven innocent people and twenty-seven acts of murderous crimes in the state of California.

Link for Manson Murder Documentaryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iENo3wibvuw

Verdict

At the end of the trial, “January 25, 1971, guilty verdicts were returned against the four defendants on each of the twenty-seven separate counts against them” (Wiki, 1).

This meant that Manson and three of his “family members” were found guilty in all of the murder charges that were charged against them.

Punishment

On April 19th, 1971 following the guilty verdicts the four defendants were sentenced to the maximum penalty of death.

Due to the abolishment of the death penalty, Manson’s sentence was reduced to life in prison with the next parole hearing in 2012.

Utilitarian vs. Retributive Theories

Utilitarian Theory:

Basically, a theory that supports

the greatest amount of happiness in the

world by whatever means.

Retributive Theory

A theory the portrays t idea that the punishment should be equal to the crime. Sort of an “eye for and eye” approach.

Retributive Theory and Charles Mansion

In the initial sentencing of Charles Manson, retributive theory was used. By him being sentenced to the death penalty it was placing even punishment for the actual crime.i.e. He killed innocent people therefore he should be killed himself.

Utilitarian Theory and Charles Manson

In the result of the abolishment of the death penalty, utilitarian theory was placed into action. Mansion is now serving life in prison.

This is an action of utilitarian theory because it serves a punishment while promoting the most positive outcome. Utilitarian theory portrays that Capital Punishment is “cruel and unusual punishment” (Bedeau, 1).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Retributive Theory on the Manson Case.

Strengths:• Punishment Equals Crime:

In this case, Mansion planned out and executed the murders of innocent people, it is fair that he should be killed as well.

• Restitution For The Families:It’s impossible to ever repay

the families, friends and loved ones of victims for crimes like this, but an “eye for an eye” makes the families feel that justice has been paid.

Weaknesses:• Capital Punishment Errors:

In trials there are always room for errors. With the extreme punishment of sentencing someone to death, it needs to be a 100% conviction.

• Creates More Violence:In situations like this there

has already been so much violence. Violence isn’t always the answer because it creates negativity.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Utilitarian Theory on the Manson Case

Strengths:• Promotes Non-Violence:

When choosing a less serious punishment than Capital Punishment it shows the world that there can be punishment that brings positivity.

• Room For Error:It is never right to wrongfully

punish someone for a crime, but Capital Punishment is non-reversible.

Weaknesses:• Not A Full Payback:

When people get to live on in prison it really doesn’t fully payback what they did. They took the lives of people, but still get to live theirs.

• Does Decrease The Temptation of Murder:Capital Punishment is a very

petrifying sentence, and it definitely hinders people away from committing atrocities.

Similarities of Retributive and Utilitarian Theories

• Both of these theories believe in punishing the guilty.

• Retributive and Utilitarian theories both believe in some fort of restitution, whether it be positive or negative.

In Conclusion

The Mansion case was one the included both retributive and utilitarian theories because of law changes. Though retributive theory may seem a bit harsh, it truly seem like the appropriate punishment for someone who mentally planned out these atrocities.

Thank you for watching.

Works Cited

• Bedau, H. (2000 [1986]). "Hugo Bedau, 'Against the Death Penalty' from "Capital Punishment (1986)." In R. C. Solomon & M. C. Murphy (Eds.), What Is Justice?: Classic and Contemporary Readings. (pp. 269-274). New York: Oxford University Press.

• Wikipedia. (2009, November 12). Helter Skelter (Manson Scenario). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helter_Skelter_(Manson_scenario)

• DZBO. (2009, August 14). We May Not Be Freeing Manson, but We Will Let His Woman Go Free. And What About Manson's Children? Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2064117/lynette_squeak_fromme_the_voice_of.html

• Wikipedia. (2009, November 28). Charles Mansion. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Manson

• B.A. Robinson. (2008 April 7). Destructive Cults The Family; Charles Manson. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_charl.htm