It's the 14th time at bat for Charles "Tex" Watson, one of convicted killer Charles Manson's family members, as he goes before a parole board for a hearing today at Mule Creek State Prison. Watson, incarcerated for the crimes for 42 years now, has previously called himself Manson's "right-hand man." more ›

Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel, Charles Manson associate convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder, has been denied parole according to a statement released today by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Krenwinkel, 63, was convicted for her involvement in the killing of Sharon Tate-Polanski (pregnant at the time of her death), Thomas Jay Sebring, Abagail Ann Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Earl Parent, and Leno and Rosemary La Bianca in the now-infamous murders of 1969. more ›

Behind bars for over forty years, Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel, now 63, will likely remain behind bars despite facing a parole hearing today, according to the Associated Press. However, it seems unlikely Krenwinkel, now the longest-imprisoned woman in California history, will be granted parole. Convicted alongside Susan Atkins and Leslie Van Houten, neither of her former accomplices were granted parole, despite frequent attempts. more ›

Convicted and imprisoned for his role in the 1969 murder of Gary Hinman, onetime Manson Family member and Spahn Ranch resident Robert "Bobby" Beausoleil, 63, was once again denied parole yesterday, according to Chatsworth Patch. Though sentenced to death in 1970, Beausoleil's sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972, and like all other Manson followers, has been continually denied release. As part of Monday's two-member panel of the California Board of Parole Hearings, Beausoleil was issued a denial that runs five years, keeping him behind bars until at least 2015. more ›

One of the state's most notorious criminals, Charles Manson is making headlines again from behind bars. The mastermind of multiple slayings in the 1960s, Manson has been keeping in touch with the outside world with a modern device: A cellphone. more ›

60-year-old former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten goes up for her 19th parole hearing today. According to the Associated Press, two new precedents may give Van Houten her best chance yet at release. more ›

One of Charles Manson's associates convicted with two counts of first-degree murder was recommended for parole today. The decision by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Board of Parole Hearings comes for 67-year-old Bruce Davis after spending 38 years in jail, the majority of it without incidents prompting discipline. more ›

41-year-old Los Angeles-based musician Matthew Roberts (sometimes Robert) is making headlines here and in the UK for claiming convicted killer Charles Manson is his father. The New Rising Son singer "told the U.K.'s Sun newspaper that he tracked down his mother who told him she was a Manson follower in 1967 when the killer raped her. He was born the next year," reports the LA Weekly. more ›

Susan Atkins, the longest incarcerated woman in California history, died last night of natural causes. The 61-year-old native from San Gabriel was diagnosed with brain cancer, which prompted her to and relatives to ask for a compassionate release. That, along with thirteen attempts to be paroled, was denied last summer. Her last parole hearing was just a few weeks ago on September 3rd (she's been trying to be paroled since 1976). more ›

With only months to live, Susan Atkins was denied parole for the 13th and most likely final time yesterday. The San Gabriel-born 61-year-old Charles Manson follower has been behind bars for 38 years after being convicted of murder over a 1969 killing spree left eight people, including Sharon Tate, dead. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer, prompting her and family to ask for a "compassionate release," which was also denied last summer. more ›

Could the 18th time be a charm for Susan Atkins? The San Gabriel-born 61-year-old woman who was "convicted of killing actress Sharon Tate and seven others four decades ago," is up for parole one more time today, according to abc7.com, in a hearing postponed from May 28th. more ›

FOOD* Palate Food + Wine in Glendale presents “Le Cirque du Fromage” tonight at the Wine Bar tonight (and every Tuesday night) at 7 pm. The Truffle Brothers drop in with pounds of black summer truffles from the Molise region of Italy. In addition to this week's Cirque menu (three cheeses + one wine = $12). Fresh table-side shavings for a $6 supplemental. Little nuggets will be available for retail @ $30 per ounce. Cheeses on the menu are stilton, bleu des causses and gorgonzola piccante. No reservations are necessary. more ›

A new exhibit honoring actress Sharon Tate opened this weekend, timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the iconic Hollywood blonde's brutal murder by members of Charles Manson's "Family." ICON is described as a mixed media exhibition honoring the life and style of Tate which features the work of Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer Corbell. Included in this art and fashion-based showing are items from the actress' "never before revealed wardrobe," many of which were worn by model Lauren Hastings, who was photographed in the outfits. more ›

Tonight and tomorrow mark the 40th anniversary of two nights of murders in Los Angeles that forever changed the cultural landscape. Instructed by the head of their "family" one young man and three young women crept onto the property of a home atop Cielo Drive, and ruthlessly initiated a bloodbath that cost the lives of all who were present: Sharon Tate, Abigal Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Jay Sebring, and Steven Parent. The following night a similar group replayed a similar scene, this time on Waverly Frive in Los Feliz, taking the life of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. more ›

After being denied a compassionate release last July, Susan Atkins may have one more shot at freedom. Atkins comes up for her 18th bid for parole May 28. more ›

You've got to wonder if the other serial killers get jealous sometimes. more ›

On the night of August 8th, 1969, three young women and one young man traveled from their "family" compound following the instructions of their group leader to the Cielo Drive home that had once been the residence of Doris Day's music industry-affiliated son Terry Melcher, but was now the rented home of director Roman Polanski and his pregnant wife Sharon Tate. Once on the premises the four initiated a bloodbath that cost the lives of all who were present: Sharon Tate, Abigal Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Jay Sebring, and Steven Parent. The word "pig" was written in blood on the door; when Los Angeles woke up the next day they were stunned by the tragedy. more ›

Convicted murderer Susan Atkins has earned a dubious honor: She has been the longest incarcerated woman in California history*, having logged 37 of her 59 years as an inmate following her conviction in the famous 1969 "Manson Murders." more ›

Rumors have always been floated that bodies have been buried at Charles Manson's Death Valley hide-out and place of arrest. Then, this last February, Detective Paul Dostie of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department and a pack of cadaver-sniffing dogs with a black Labrador named Buster in lead smelled something afoul, eyebrows were raised and dirt samples were analyzed, according to the LA Times. more ›

• A Fresno sheriff will allow researchers to start digging for human remains under the former estate of Charles Manson, where Mr. Helter Skelter hid after a 1969 summer killing spree.
• A woman's partially decapitated body was found in a South L.A. alley. She may have been homeless and police said she suffered multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma. No arrests have been made.
• And speaking of no arrests for murder, O.J. Simpson admitted to a former friend that he confessed to killing his ex-wife weeks after he was acquitted, the AP reported. I'm glad we got to the bottom of this mystery.
• Zuma Dogg is at it again. The gadfly pressed Mayor Tony to talk to a city council member on an alleged Brown Act violation during a recent Del Rey Neighborhood Council meeting. Bam!
• Wireless internet capability was precipitously expanded in Downtown L.A. yesterday, as a communications company built new radio towers expanding WiFi by 16 blocks. A market and Wireless Fi? Shit, if I was rich I would totally move into a Downtown loft.
• Who's ready for the Subway to the Sea? Freshman Congresswoman Laura Richardson does, she told City Beat. Ah, to be young and idealistic.
• But maintaining and boosting Southern California's transportation system over the next three decades could cost some $531 billion and require new taxes, tolls and user fees, the Southern California Association of Governments said Friday.

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Tonight at 8pm: The Cinefamily Screening Series wraps up their stunt month with a rare screening of "The Stunt Man," and some special guests. From Cinefamily:

In filming The Stunt Man, the quintessential movie about Hollywood's invisible heroes, Richard Rush hired many of the top men in the field, making the set a virtual symposium of daredevil talents. We decided what better way to honor these daredevils than by reuniting as many of them as we can, to swap stories, answer questions, show clips of their greatest stunts, and generally have a good time. Then we're all gonna watch The Stunt Man together! Numerous stuntmen, including many who worked on the film will be in attendance. The list so far includes. but isn't limited to, Steve Railsback, Bobby Hoy, Tom Morga, Erick Cord, Walt Robles, Jim Winburn, Gary Kent; not to mention the director, Richard Rush. We dare you to come!

A friend of mine stopped at a convenience store while driving across the California desert in the late 80s. As he turned the aisle, he almost had a heart attack. He was staring right into the face of Charlie Manson! He quickly realized this short teenager was too young, and of course Manson was locked up. Still, the resemblance was uncanny. The teen's mother protectively came over and gave my friend a dirty look.... more ›

"Hi, this is Jackie Payne with Impact Distributers...I'm just calling to let you know that you have won one of FIVE fabulous prizes!" more ›

Maybe we should take things like this more seriously, but last week "vandals" broke into a vacation home in Palm Springs and caused some eyebrows to rise when they turned over furniture (very nicely), arranged foliage and sticks to create pentagrams and clog toilets, and wrote words like "Pigz" and "Helter Skelter" on a window and on the fireplace... with soap! It was right around the 38th anniversary of the Manson Family murders of... more ›

It seems unlikely that I actually saw it, but I’d swear to you that I was up on the night that Wendy O. Williams of the Plasmatics destroyed a car on the Tomorrow Show. I would have been nearing the end of eighth grade and I can’t imagine that my parents let me stay up, but it sure feels like I did. That’s the problem and the beauty of current technology. We can’t really remember... more ›

Los Angeles sure does have quite a few photography events. In fact, we have two this week alone. I already told you about the upcoming Photo L.A. shin-dig this weekend but there's also another event happening this weekend too as pointed out to be by tipster Jacob (thanks, btw) more ›

The Golden Globes came and went, all while many, if not more, watched the second two hours of Los Angeles being terrorized in 24 on FOX. It was still brisk for the stars on the Red Carpet and the weather is expected to continue in the 60's throughout the week with the lows in the 40's. Luckily, the fire department has determined that the Red Flag will be lifted this morning. People celebrated Martin... more ›

TUESDAY more ›

Melcher provided the template for the Angeleno archtype: the Celebrity Scion who thrived behind the scenes of the entertainment world and made a lasting impact on popular culure. Melcher worked on several projects with his mother, actress and singer Doris Day. more ›