◆ SpookStack

roy $0 trey, 7-16-63) BY RON EINSTOSS Times Statt Writer ‘Slim, dark-eyed Susan Denise Atkins—whose testimony led to the indictment of herself and five other members of a hippie band in the Tate and La Bianca slayings— pleaded innocent Tuesday to murder charges. She was the first member of the Charles Manson "Family" to enter a plea in the Tate-La Bianca case. As a woman sheriff's deputy held her by one arm, she quietly said "innocent" when Superior Judge William B. Keene asked her how she wished to plead to the charges against her. She was indicted on seven counts of murder and one count of con- spiracy to commit murder—charges based largely on her own testimony Sounty Grand Jury which (Mount Clipping in Space Below) indicted her, Manson, and four other young people. Pleading guilty now would mean a plea to guilty of first-degree murder. It is possible her attorney may wish to change the plea later, or that— because of her cooperation — the prosecution might reduce the char- ges or at least not seek the death penalty against her. Miss Atkins, 21, went to court in a pink- velvet dress with puffed sleeves and a _ miniskirt which showed a pair of shapely legs, She seemed more amused than im- pressed by the legal procedures, smiling broadly at her attorney and briefly at her guard, Dep. Sheriff Ann Nore. Keene set the case for trial on Feb. 9 in the courtroom where he will be presiding after the first of the year. He said he did so after conferring atter with both sidj Judge Joseph A. Wapner fycidlne ior Judge George M. Dell, who will be Keene's successor next year in the master calendar criminal court, Because of the number of defen- dants—five are charged in the Tate case and six in the La Bianca murders—it would appear unlikely that the trial will be held that soon. Two of the defendants, Charles D. Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, still have not been returned to Los Angeles. They have been resisting extradition. one’s Watson's Texas attorney success fully obtained a governor's hearing, set for Jan. 5 in Austin, at which he will oppose extradition of Watson, In Alabama, Gov. Albert Brewer has signed a warrant approving Califgrria' uest for Mjss Kren- winkst's extradition. A hear n (Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) I-l Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, Califl Date: 12/17/69 Edition: Wednesday Final Author: Editor: Title: Character: or Classification: Submitting Office: Log Anreies i} Being Investigated SEARCHED, INDEXED. SERIALIZED “*— Pept a~ /BDEC 1 7 1969 “__FBI—LOS ANGEL: