Charles+Manson+Questions+ALN

1. Is Charles Manson a serial killer? By a strict definition, no, because he didn't physically kill anyone. He arranged their deaths. But many other characteristics of a serial killer do apply in his case. He had a dark past, he did not have a motive against the specific persons he arranged to kill, he told them to leave a mark ("pig") which is like a "signature". He is mentally unstable and spent most of his life in prison.

2. Are Family House members serial killers? By the same definition, no. Before meeting Manson, the family house members, themselves, did not have a particularly dark past, were not mentally unstable, were not loners, or anti-social. They were manipulated by one person who did have these traits, and they are killers, nonetheless.

3. Do they all deserve the death penalty? Legally, yes. But because the family must not have been afraid of death, it wouldn't really be a penalty for them. They should have the opportunity to seek penitence before death and morally, I believe they should face a penalty that would truly make them suffer and seek redemption.