Helter SkelterIn the late 1960s, charismatic Charles Manson accumulated a loyal cult of followers who took hallucinogenics and did whatever he said. In August 1969, they casually took the lives of eight people, including actress Sharon Tate.
Facts about the Charles Manson usually focus on the brutal murder of actress Sharon Tate and five others in 1969. Unfortunately, there are many more things the Manson Family did that remain unsolved or forgotten in the wake of more unspeakable crimes.
Mansonites are well-known for their complete devotion to their leader and his list of Family rules, even during Manson's imprisonment. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, for example, remained devoted to Manson from the moment they met on a beach in the 1960s, living life based on the rules he set for her. This included forming and maintaining relationships with men in the Aryan Brotherhood, threatening reporters that spoke with Manson, and attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford to gain attention for her leader - and the environment.
On September 5, 1975, Fromme loaded a clip into a .45-caliber pistol, ejected the bullet in the chamber, and made her way to then-President Gerald Ford as he waved to onlookers at the California state capitol. Fromme pushed through the crowd and aimed the pistol at President Ford, preparing to fire.
Though there was no bullet in the chamber, the Secret Service disarmed and apprehended Fromme before she fired. Fromme and her lawyer later claimed the President would be dead if that were her goal. Instead, Fromme only wanted to talk about a new trial for Manson and the fate of the California Redwoods.
Fromme Escaped From Prison In 1987 To Try To Visit Charles Manson
In 1987, Fromme escaped from Alderson Federal Prison for Women in West Virginia, reportedly to visit her cult leader after learning of Manson's cancer diagnosis. Prison officials initially believed Fromme was hiding on the property, but they discovered her two days later, only a few miles from the prison.
Fromme had time added to her life sentence for the escape attempt, but eventually received parole after serving 34 years.
Fromme Believed Manson Was A 'Once-In-A-Lifetime Soul'
In 1978, Fromme said of Manson "[he's] a once-in-a-lifetime soul... He's got more heart and spirit than anyone I've ever met." A bright and intelligent child performer in her youth, Fromme's father kicked her out of the house at 18. Homeless, she met Manson on Venice Beach in 1967 and fell under the charismatic cult leader's spell.
Manson's concern about the environment may have helped grab Fromme's attention. She would later take up the cause of protecting California Redwoods, which factored into her attempt on former President Gerald Ford's life.
Fromme Camped Outside The Courtroom During Manson's Entire Trial
Though a member of the Family and reportedly very close to Manson, Fromme didn't participate in the infamous 1969 murders that put the leader and many of his followers on trial. She did camp outside of the courthouse throughout the trial, however, and even carved an 'X' into her forehead like Manson in solidarity.
Fromme Threw An Apple At One Of Her Prosecutors In Court
Fromme did all she could to avoid her trial for the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford. US Marshals needed to carry Fromme into the courtroom after she refused to enter, while she exhibited raucous and violent behavior during the trial.
One day in court, Fromme even threw an apple at the prosecutor, hitting him in the face and knocking off his glasses.
Fromme Claimed To Have Had An Ominous Vision About Led Zeppelin Guitarist Jimmy Page
Sometime around 1975, Led Zeppelin came to the Long Beach area for a concert. Fromme appeared at the door of their manager, Danny Goldberg, asking to see guitarist Jimmy Page. Fromme told Goldberg that she had a vision of evil in Page's future and thought the horrible event would occur at the concert that night.
Goldberg got rid of Fromme by telling her to write a letter about her concerns to Page, but he burned it after she left. The concert went off without issue.
