◆ SpookStack

FI)-350 (Rev. 7-16-63) Manson Tells Court He Wants to Defend Self Judge Delays Decision ———- Until Competency of Defendant Is Determined BY JERRY COHEN Times Staff Writer Charles Manson revealed still another side of his multi-faceted character Wednesday when he told a judge he was capable of acting as his own lawyer when the Sharon Tate murder case comes to trial. The bearded, long-haired hippie guru stood before Superior Judge William B. Keene and announced: "I would like to represent myself to start with.” Manson, 35, said he would like two private attorneys to "help" him prepare his case, but added: "In reading the Constitution, I have a voice, and I want to use that voice." When Keene said he would rule on Manson's request Monday, after interrogating him to determine his camnetency, the slight defendant expressed disappointment. in Tate Case ‘Retain My Voice’ "Your honor, if I have no voice I have nothing. If I can't speak in thy own defense, my hands are tied behind my back. “Your honor, I want to retain my voice. I'm here conversing with you. J have an understanding of the charges. I have some knowledge of the law. 1 know about the publicity." Manson, songwriter, musician, poet, ex-convict and leader of a bizarre nomadie clan accused of murdering the actress and six others last August, spoke softly but in a steady voice. Listening to the judge's replies, he either tugged his beard or brushed a long yellow pencil against his right cheek. He clutched a note pad in his left hand. Manson had not heen scheduled to appear before Keene until next Monday on further legal proceed- ings in the Tate and La Bianca murder cases, But at noon, the judge was advised byz-the-public defender's office, which has been representfhg Man- (Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) I-3 Ls Angeles “imes Lo Angeles, Calif. Date: 12 / i 8/6¢c Edition: Thursday Final Author: Editor: Title: Character: or Classification: Submitting Office: Los Angele C] Being Investigated