New Charles Manson photos released as his parole hearing approaches

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter

A photo recently released by the California Department of Corrections shows 77-year-old serial killer Charles Manson.

/ AP Photos/California Department of Corrections

(CBS) - New photos have been released of Charles Manson, the leader of the "Manson Family" cult responsible for a series of brutal murders in California in 1969. The release of the new photos come a week before his parole hearing.

Pictures: The Manson Family murders

At the request of CNN, the California Department of Corrections released two photos reportedly taken in June 2011 at the state prison in Corcoran, Calif. A department of corrections spokesperson says the new photos were taken due to a change in Manson's appearance, CNN reports.

Manson originally received a death sentence in the infamous murder of actress Sharon Tate and six others by a group of his followers. But his death sentence was changed to life in prison after California's death penalty was overturned for a period during the 1970s.

Manson, whose parole hearing is schedule for April 11, has been denied parole 11 times, CNN reports.

Complete coverage of Charles Manson on Crimesider

19 Photos

The Manson Family murders

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by drwilliay April 7, 2012 3:43 PM EDT: For an in depth trip through Manson's mind, check out "Searching for God in the sixties" ----- http://freedrdave.com. "The light at the end of the long dark tunnel of consciousness was the gleam in Charlie Manson's eye."; Reply to this comment

by MisaSakhi April 7, 2012 1:15 PM EDT

well what the heck people, everyone knows that Charlie is innocent, the court failed to prove in anyway his involvement. no evidence, whatsoever, points that he was there at the crime scenes, and to assume that some guy can influence 4 perfectly stable people into murdering 8 people and an infant is utterly absurd, not to mention that there was no evidence to prove that either. They committed crimes, they should go to jail, but giving Charlie a life sentence, for FIRST DEGREE MURDER when absolutely no evidence links him, is just down right unfair and stupid. I must say Charlie's case is clearly a miscarriage of justice. the media has been unfair(they are just on a constant search for the next huge media bonanza and often exaggerated and twist facts.) and the people have been scarcely thoughtful in their assumptions too. please read a little about the case before posting these ignorant comments. this is truly shameful.

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by suecbc136 April 9, 2012 10:24 PM EDT: You are so right, he was not the killer. Those involved in the murder did so because they wanted to kill. Charles Manson was some mothers son that did not recieve the love of a good mother. He did not deserve to be locked up his whole life. He needed help. My heart goes out to Charles Manson. On the other side of this life someday I hope Charles finds peace someday. I wonder what the judge will find there.


by longtree-2009 April 6, 2012 6:03 AM EDT: manson is one of many reasons, killers, there should be a death penalty. california is extremely liberal as is their judges who have overturned the death penalty or done all they could to stall executions. no one can forgive a killer except their victims but killers silence them forever. in a way, californians support criminality and certainly killers. criminals should move to california to do their crimes because if they're caught the punishment will not be harsh. like in other states, crime does pay.; Reply to this comment


by Jhihmoac April 6, 2012 2:53 AM EDT: He still looks dangerous...; Reply to this comment


by AmericanFrog April 6, 2012 12:12 AM EDT: Charlie! Lookin' pretty bad these days dude! What a pathetic loser! Hey Charlie! Ya miss walking on the beach? Miss making love to a beautiful woman? Miss going to a ball game at Dodger's Stadium? Hey Charlie! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!; Reply to this comment


by rwsmith29456 April 5, 2012 11:53 PM EDT: I think he should have gotten the same as his victims.; Reply to this comment


by zeppy2827 April 5, 2012 10:23 PM EDT: Manson is nothing but a real creep they should take them out back and let him pick a tree out. And then you know what happens after that. You hang him high. And you know that's probably too good for him. Just throw him under a septa bus.head first.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by Thinkbeforeyouwrite April 5, 2012 6:33 PM EDT: One of the "joys" of our correctional system is making celebrities out of crazy people. No, there is no proof he "directly" killed anyone but he surely instigated it. I have seen enough of this creep in my lifetime. IF I ran the correctional system things would be different. I am not a believer in capital punishment but life would be different for the worst criminal. It would not be solitary confinement or brutal but different. They certainly would not have any press coverage.; Reply to this comment


by Transatlantique April 5, 2012 4:50 PM EDT: I don't in any way defend this man or his followers for their crimes, however, he was born an unwanted and tossed about child. He wouldn't have turned out this way had someone like Martha Stewart raised him from a baby. He turned out bad because people made him that way. If he suffered brain damage be it congenital or not, that could have been detected at an early age, and proper care could have been given. There are tons of "could haves" with that bunch, but at the end of the day, they are where they belong.; Reply to this comment