Conviction
On October 2, 1969, Watson fled the ranch and headed back to his home state of Texas. On November 30, 1969, Watson was arrested in Texas for the Tate-LaBianca murders. He and his lawyers fought the extradition back to California for nine months. Upon returning to California, Watson began regressing to a catatonic state. He stopped talking and eating, dropping 55 pounds. He was admitted to Atascadero State Hospital for a 90-day observation period to determine if he was able to stand trial. He stayed there until February 1971, when he was deemed able to stand trial.
On October 12, 1971, Watson was convicted of seven counts of first degree murder and one count conspiracy to commit murder.
On October 21, 1971, Watson was sentenced to death. He escaped execution when the California Supreme Court's People v. Anderson decision resulted in the invalidation of all death sentences imposed in California prior to 1972. Watson was found guilty of the murders of seven persons, and his seven counts were run concurrent. His minimum eligible parole date was November 26, 1976, but he has not ever been found suitable. Having been denied parole 14 times, Watson remains incarcerated in Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California. His last hearing was in November 2011. He received a maximum five-year denial. His next scheduled parole hearing is in November 2016.
Read more about this topic: Charles "Tex" Watson
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