The Los Angeles Police Department has reopened 12 unsolved murder cases, believing that they may be linked to the Manson Family cult of the late 1960s.
The unsolved murders occurred near where the Manson Family was known to operate, according to International Business Times . The LAPD hopes that by opening the unsolved cases, they may be able to gain access to audiotapes of conversations Charles “Tex” Watson, a member of the notorious cult, had with his attorney in 1969.
They reportedly believe that the tapes may contain more information about the cult and their activities than is already known. US District Judge Richard A. Schell in Plano, Texas, recently blocked the police force from getting a search warrant for the tapes. LAPD Commander Andy Smith stated:
“We are hoping that these Tex Watson tapes can provide us further clues on these cases … We are doing this for the families of the victims.”
The Los Angeles Times notes that some authors and former prosecutors of Manson Family followers have long believed that the group is responsible for more killings than the nine victims already named.
A US Bankruptcy Court in Texas had originally granted the LAPD access to the tapes in question between Watson and his lawyer, but Watson’s attorney appealed, stalling the case. On October 9, Schell made his ruling that forbade the police department from having access to the 42-year-old tapes. Smith stated that the LAPD is frustrated by the delays. He added:
“The civil courts here are blocking a criminal investigation. We don’t even have a date for when this will be resolved.”
Tex Watson is currently serving a life sentence, along with other Manson Family members, for his role in the death of Sharon Tate and four others.
