In the family: Charles Manson

Known as a ruthless criminal and cult leader, Charles Manson is one of the most notorious convicted murderers in American history.

On August 9, 1969, actress Sharon Tate, her unborn child, and four guests were murdered in the actress’s home while her husband, film director Roman Polanski, was away in London. Tate was reportedly just two weeks shy of giving birth to the couple’s baby boy. The next night, supermarket executive Leon LaBianca, and his wife Rosemary, were also murdered in their home.

Manson and four members of his devoted group of hippies known as the Manson “Family” were charged and tried in the infamous Tate-LaBianca trial from 1970 to 1971. During the trial, Los Angeles prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi argued Manson never actually did any of the killings but guided-or manipulated-his followers to do so. Under the rules of accomplice liability, Manson and members of his Family were convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. After the California Supreme Court struck down the death penalty on February 18, 1972, the sentences were reduced to life imprisonment.

So, where are they now? Forty years after Manson and three of his followers were found guilty; Global News takes a brief look at what has happened to Manson and the main members of his Family.

Charles Manson

Manson, now 75, refuses to participate in rehabilitation activities and will likely never be released.

In November 2009, Matthew Roberts-a Los Angeles DJ and songwriter-claimed he was biologically fathered by Manson. Roberts’ biological mother claims she left the Manson Family after being raped by Manson in 1967. Manson himself acknowledges a sexual relationship with the biological mother and does not deny that he could be Roberts’ father.

On May 23, 2007, Manson declined to attend his parole hearing and was denied parole for the 11th time. He will not be eligible to re-apply for parole until 2012. Manson is currently serving his life imprisonment sentence at Corcoran State Prison in Kings Country, California.

Robert “Bobby” Beausoleil

Known as one of Manson’s most faithful followers, Beausoleil was convicted and sentenced to life in prison on April 18, 1970 for his part in murdering music teacher Gary Hinman. Using Hinman’s blood, Beausoleil is most known for writing "Political piggy" on a wall in Hinman’s home.

In 1982, while in prison, Beausoleil married a woman named Barbara. Over the years, Beausoleil dove into the art world by writing and recording a soundtrack for the film Lucifer Rising. Beausoleil is also currently working with an at-risk youth program and assisting in the creation of instructional videos for children in public schools.

Now 63-years-old, Beausoleil’s 2010 parole bid was denied. He is scheduled for his next hearing in five years.

Charles “Tex” Watson

Watson’s reputation as an “A” student in high school quickly vanished when he joined Manson’s Family. It is believed Watson participated in every murder and led the killing spree at the homes of Tate and LaBianca.

Serving a life sentence in Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, Watson married Kristin Joan Svelte in 1979 and became an ordained minister in 1983. Through conjugal visits, the couple had four children and divorced in 2003.

Watson has been denied parole 13 times. He is scheduled to receive his next hearing in 2011.

Leslie Louise Van Houten

Leslie Van Houten, 19, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in her part in the LaBianca murders in 1971.

According to court reports, Van Houten continuously giggled throughout her testimony and received little sympathy from the jury. Although sentenced to death, her sentence was later commuted to life in prison. During her first trial, Van Houten’s lawyer was found dead, and was granted a retrial which resulted in a hung jury. Finally, her third trial resulted in a guilty verdict.

At 61, Leslie Van Houten is the youngest of the women convicted. She has been denied parole 18 times.

Linda Kasabian

Star witness for the prosecution, Kasabian was present during the Tate and LaBianca murders but did not participate in the actual murders. She did, however, voluntarily turn herself into the authorities two days after the LaBianca murders.

Due to her testimony against Manson and the Family, Kasabian received immunity. It is believed she is now living in Washington with her two children.

Lynette Alice "Squeaky" Fromme

Fromme is one of the most well-known Manson followers and became “˜the voice’ of Manson. She was not involved or charged with the Tate-LaBianca murders and only received a short prison sentence for refusing to testify.

On September 5, 1975, Fromme received a life in prison sentence after attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford. Fromme reportedly used a semi-automatic pistol loaded with four rounds-none of which were in the firing chamber.

Fromme served more than 20 years in prison before her release on August 14, 2009.

Mary Brunner

Mary Brunner witnessed the murder of Hinman in 1968 and was charged with his murder. She was implicated in the murder but granted immunity after agreeing to testify against Atkin and Beausoleil. After spending time in prison for her involvement in an armed robbery and shootout between police, Brunner was released in 1977.

Patricia "Katie" Krenwinkel

During her murder trial, Krenwinkel stated she felt “nothing” during the Tate-LaBianca murders. Krenwinkel’s death penalty was commuted to a life sentence.

With over four decades behind bars, Krenwinkel, 63, is now the longest incarcerated woman in California’s prison system. On January 20, 2011, Krenwinkel was denied parole in United States for at least another seven years. To date, she has been denied at least 11 times.

Susan "Sadie Glutz" Atkins

Before a grand jury, Susan Atkins stated that she stabbed actress Sharon Tate and participated in the murder of Gary Hinman. Atkins began teaching classes in prison in 1974, and in 1977 she published her autobiography, “˜Child of Satan, Child of God.’

In 1981, Atkins married a self-proclaimed multi-millionaire. After revelations that many of her husband’s claims were false, Atkins annulled the marriage in 1982. In 1987, she married a man fifteen years her junior.

Atkin requested “compassionate release” due to terminal brain cancer in 2008, but was denied. She died on September 24, 2009 at the Central California Women’s facility in Chowchilla. According to her husband, Susan’s last word was “Amen.”