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y \FD-350 (Rev. 7-16-63) 4 ae Watson Admits He Took at in n Slaying of La Bianca Couple Mount Sueping in Space Below BY ED MEAGHER Times Stat? Writer Charles. (Tex) Watson, 25, con- fessed to the last of the Tate-La Bi- anca murders Thursday, eliminating any question of his guilt, but his tes- timony under direct and. cross-exa- mination may have created doubt concerning the degree of guilt, Should the-jurors determine that Watson's mental capacity at the time of the crimes was diminished sufficiently they could return a ver- dict of second-degree murder or eyen manslaughter instead of the first-degree. verdict being asked by the state, Watson, on trial before Superior Judge Adolph Alexander, Thursday admitted taking part in the murders of. Mr. and Mrs. Leno La Bianca in their Los Feliz District mansion Aug. 10, 1969 took part in the five Tate murders the previous night. But Watson, a well-educated, small-town Texas boy, a "square" until he fell in with cultist Charles Manson and his “family,” stayed with his story that Manson condi- tioned him with drugs and fantasy to murder on command. Dressed in good taste, his. Iong, handsome face crowned with styled, neatly trimmed hair in bangs, Wat- son's appearance was disarming and his answers to questions seemingly sincere, although often confused. Asked by defense attorney Sam Bubrick if he feels the same now as he did at the time of the homicides, Watson replied, "not at all.” "Did you have nl feeling Kei "No." he,answered, “no. feelin "Do you realize now waar yore Wednesday he testified that. he —s—2 ae) (Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) T-3 Los Angeles ‘imes Los Angeles, Calif. Date: Edition: ees Final Author: Editor: Title: Character: or Classification: Submitting Office: JTigg Angeles ‘| Being Investigated SEARCHED_..._7}NDEXED,(7 SERIALIZED SFILED, a ere