A California judge will select one of three possible heirs to infamous cult leader and murderer Charles Manson’s estate, possibly worth as much as $1 million, but there’s a long way to go in the bizarre battle over property, according to a lawyer involved in the case. .
Those who claim to be next in line to receive Manson’s belongings include his former pen pal and collector of Manson “murderabilia,” Michael Channels; Jason Freeman, who claims to be Manson’s biological grandson; and Daniel Argüelles, who claims to be Manson’s biological son.
“In probate, there are two speeds: slow and slower,” attorney Alan Davis, who is serving as counsel to Dale Kiken, the current administrator of Manson’s estate, told Fox News Digital. “So, we’ve been at this for over five years because Charles Manson died in November of 2017. We’re on… our third or maybe fourth judge.”
Los Angeles County Judge Ruben Garcia, who is currently assigned to the case, is “doing a very careful job because he’s involved with such complex probate code provisions” and “wants to make sure he gets it right,” Davis explained. .
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Charles Manson, accused leader of a hippie cult accused of the Tate-LaBianca murders, is under heavy guard as he leaves the Hall of Justice after his arraignment on December 11.
Manson died at age 83 of natural causes at a Kern County hospital in 2017 while serving a life sentence. His estate, which includes guitars, artwork, photographs, clothing and original songs, three of which were recorded by Guns ‘N Roses, Marilyn Manson and the Beach Boys, is estimated to be worth several hundred thousand and a million dollars, according to probate experts.
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The value of the cult leader’s belongings is based in part on the country’s obsession with true crime, which was strengthened by director Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film based on the Manson murders, “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood”, which grossed more than $377 million worldwide.
American criminal Charles Manson, the man who murdered Sharon Tate, at the California Medical Center, Vacaville, Solano County, California, August 1980.
(Image by Albert Foster/Mirrorpix/Getty)
Freeman initially stepped forward to claim the property, only to have his efforts thwarted by Channels and then Arguelles. Other parties have withdrawn from the bizarre property case entirely, according to Davis.
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Channels filed a petition in 2018 stating that Manson wrote a will in 2002 naming him as the sole beneficiary of his estate. The will has not yet been transferred from the Kern County Superior Court to the probate court for review, although a court order has been filed to initiate the transfer.
A photograph of Charles Manson, above, and Eddie Ragsdale sent by Charles Manson to Manuel Vásquez during the week of August 12, 2012.
(Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times)
Argüelles contested Channels’ petition, arguing that “the will includes what is assumed to be the signature of the decedent on the second page,” but “when this signature is compared to numerous signatures found online, there appear to be significant differences.”
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“The objector is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief, alleges that the signature on the will offered by Channels is not that of the decedent,” a December 2022 court document states, adding that Channels is also listed as one of the two witnesses. about the will.
Charles Manson was convicted of one count of murder and several counts of attempted murder. He was the leader of the Manson Family, a cult that carried out several murders.
(AP/Ron Galella)
“[T]There is a presumption here that the decedent’s signature was obtained through coercion, threat, fraud, or undue influence,” the filing states.
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Garcia will have to decide if the will is, in fact, legitimate for Channels to become Manson’s beneficiary. If the will is found to be false, the judge will have to decide whether Freeman or Argüelles are Manson’s heirs, which will require shared DNA testing.
Charles Manson died in 2017 while serving a life sentence.
(California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for March 29 to determine if Arguelles is, in fact, Manson’s biological son, according to Davis.
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“I hope something gets done at that point,” Davis said. “…Keep in mind that an heir is a person who inherits when there is no will, which is the same argument Jason Freeman is making.”
Freeman objects to Argüelles’ claim that he is Manson’s true relative.
Jason Freeman, who claims to be the grandson of Charles Manson, said he believes Manson’s spirit is in heaven.
(KERO-TV via NNS)
“Daniel R. Argüelles (“ARGUELLESR”) was adopted, therefore the father-son relationship between him and the deceased, if any, was severed by operation of Inheritance Code § 6451, therefore ARGUELLES is not a heir to the decedent’s intestate estate and has no right here,” states another December court filing in the case.
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As for the total value of Manson’s belongings, Davis said that while the cult leader’s stuff could be worth as much as $1 million, he can’t be sure. An appraiser would have to appraise the items to make a “best educated guess.” California law requires an appointed probate arbitrator to make his own evaluation, Davis said.
In 1971, Manson and his followers were convicted of the murders of seven people, including the murder of the actress in 1969. sharon tatewho was pregnant at the time.
