Charles Manson and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Knoxville, Gates: to buy, university)

[LauraC]

I saw this unusual (and short) article today (from Saturday) on the WBIR website about how our Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists are helping to possibly locate more victims of decades old murderer Charles Manson.

WBIR.COM - Oak Ridge scientists search for bodies at Manson ranch (http://www.wbir.com:80/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=55655&provider=gnews - broken link)

[hiknapster]

I read that about an hour ago, and thought of you and knoxgarden. I figured that article would intrigue the both of you. It's pretty neat!

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I read the article as well. I find it amazing that after all these years they are looking for bodies.

I watched a review of one of the Manson family, she was of course denied release, if her words were so sincere then why wasn't something done years ago to help find these bodies.

I do hope they can find these people and put this whole sad chapter away.

[TheShadow]

Here's a longer article from my local paper with more details. I was surprised about the Oak Ridge Lab connection. I didn't know they did work of this nature.

Wire National News - Forensic experts at Manson site: Dig - sacbee.com (broken link)

[knoxgarden]

Dr. Bass and his "body farm" have made Knoxville the center for that sort of research. He's never been afraid to approach people who might have knowledge he needs and get them interested in his work.
The "Body Farm" -- University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Facility -- provides the bodies and the resources to do that kind of research.
The publicity Bass has gotten has helped him get more people involved in his science and research. In the class I took, the instructor mentioned that there was an ongoing project to see if DNA in bones changes over time.

[LauraC]

Is anyone the least bit disturbed that this thread produced an ad about a "huge selection" of Charles Manson items?

[Eat]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Is anyone the least bit disturbed that this thread produced an ad about a "huge selection" of Charles Manson items?

Maybe that's why Bill Gates is trying to buy Yahoo.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Is anyone the least bit disturbed that this thread produced an ad about a "huge selection" of Charles Manson items?

It was probably just Helter Skelter. . .

;-)

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Is anyone the least bit disturbed that this thread produced an ad about a "huge selection" of Charles Manson items?

Sadly there are people out there who LOVE to collect items that were owned by serial killers. In the art world the art produced by serial killers has a HUGE market as well.

Something I found interesting about one of the articles is that it stated Manson was sentenced to life in prison. I don't believe this is true. It was my understanding that Manson was sentenced to death, even though he wasn't present at the slayings and then California repealed the death sentence, his sentence was commuted to life. When the death penalty was reinstated, Manson's sentence remained life in prison.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

Sadly there are people out there who LOVE to collect items that were owned by serial killers. In the art world the art produced by serial killers has a HUGE market as well.

Something I found interesting about one of the articles is that it stated Manson was sentenced to life in prison. I don't believe this is true. It was my understanding that Manson was sentenced to death, even though he wasn't present at the slayings and then California repealed the death sentence, his sentence was commuted to life. When the death penalty was reinstated, Manson's sentence remained life in prison.

That's true. He is up for parole, from time to time, but is never expected to get out.