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!