CHAOS: The Manson Murders a Documentary by Academy AwardDirector Errol Morris Premiered on Netflix- Featured Prosecutor Steve Kay Interviews
March 8, 2025
Birch Bay, Washington
Last night I watched the Netflix premiere of Academy Award Winning Director Errol Morris’ new film on Charles Manson called CHAOS: The Manson Murders.
It was great to see prosecutor Steve Kay who was featured prominently in the documentary. Truth be known, then DDA Stephen Kay did all the heavy lifting back in the Manson trial while
DDA prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi took all the glory and wrote his bestselling book, HELTER SKELTER. Kay went on to prosecute all the Manson Family members on his own while Bugliosi went off to write his book.
I recommend seeing Morris’ film. The CIA “Mind Control Conspiracy” is discussed throughout the film, which I do not buy, but overall the documentary gives a good overview of one of Los Angeles’ most horrific double crime sprees. All Manson Family members were convicted on both the TATE and LA BIANCA murders.
Trailer for CHAOS: The Manson Murders film by Director Errol Morris
Seen below prosecutor Vince Bugliosi with the press during the trial.
Below is Steve Kay’s video review and findings on my 2003 Black Dahlia Avenger and Jeanne French murder investigations.
CLICK TO VIEW:
Steve: MKULTRA is far more than a “rumor.” I recommend Stephen Kinzer’s detailed history of the program in “Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control.” That said, a link to Manson sounds unlikely. -LW
LW:
Oh, I have no doubt re. MKULTRA and the ability of mind control. Absolutely.
I just meant that is was, in my opinion not operative with Charles Manson and the Tate/La Bianca murders.
As one girl put it so distinctly in the film, “Feed me, fuck me, give me drugs.” Along with Charlie’s charismatic personality would be plenty enough for them to accept him as their leader and obey his wishes. And as Dear Old Dad had mother participate in the Ruth Spaulding murder and “burn her papers” thus making her an accomplice, so too with Charlie making sure all the girls and boys stabbed the victims, so if he goes down they do too.
Hi Steve, I’ve just downloaded your Black Dahlia Avenger book, after finishing the Chaos book in preparation for the documentary.
I keep going back to Jolly West being at the Haight Ashbery Clinic, where coincidentally, Charlie was bringing his girls in weekly, and also meeting his Parole officer at the Clinic, instead of his office, before they moved to Los Angeles.
The same parole officer who let Charlie get arrested over and over again, but never revoked parole. More of this is in the book, by the way. I guess I was predisposed to the notion after reading Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon by David McGowan.
In any case, true crime is a great distraction from current events, thanks for helping!
Julie B:
Thanks Julie. I never really got into any details on the Manson Murders which were handled by WLA and downtown homicide detectives. Best, Steve.
I own the book chaos and it’s a great read, lots of interesting and yes wild theories but some of the connections and the way the family seemed to mimic one of the dr smiths’ amphetamine studies he’d conducted on mice
I don’t think Manson was part of any mk program, other than the lil bit of Scientology n Dale Carnegie’s ‘how to win friends and influence ppl” he picked up in the pen. Imo he was just a charismatic almost preternaturally intuitive con man who by happenstance or some twisted providence ended up at a place and time tailor made for proto gurus, prophets n preachers. The family form in the same place and space as Jim jones people’s temple, the SLA, and weather underground, were all made what they became in San fransic0, in the late 60s.i wish the documentary had looked into a guy named ‘Reeve Whitson” a Hollywood mystery man with supposed ties to clandestine agencies. he’s mentioned in the book but completely left out of the documentary.
Steve Kay seems to be an honest public official with impeccable ethical standards. I think Vincent B was not as honest and forthright as Mr. Kay. I believe Manson was a racist n had done some preaching on Helter skelter, but I believe the main reason for the Tate Labianca murders were to make the cops think somebody else killed Gary Hinman and get Bobby Beausoleil released for that murder. Basically, a con helping his fellow con or “brother” as they considered each other. Thats my take on it, just a criminal trying to solidify his group by connecting them through a crime and getting a family member set free in the process. I’ve wondered before if in your time at LA/Hollywood homicide did you have any run ins with the family when they were in LA.
I have a friend who was a kid in LA back then, she remembers seeing” those crazy girls” crawling with bald heads on the sidewalk. She said she asked her mom “”why they were doing it” and her mom got flustered and upset and told her to “ignore them, they’re sick” smh Thanks again for the books and everything. Best wishes to you and yours. Take care, Frank Adkins
Frank A:
I’d say you nailed it pretty much on all your observations/comments. 100% on Steve Kay and Vincent Bugliosi. Kay actually prosecuted all of the remaining Family Members by himself while Bugliosi wrote his book and took credit. No, never had any contacts with Manson Family in Hollywood. Best to you and Yours. Steve
Steve!
Steve!
Steve!
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