Suvechha Sarkar
The summer of 1969 left the residents of Los Angeles, California, completely shocked when seven homicides took place in a span of just two days. As investigators searched for answers, they discovered that it was connected to the communal group, known as the Manson Family. Soon, it was revealed that the group’s leader, Charles Manson, and some other members, including Charles Denton Watson, AKA Tex, were linked to the crimes. The episode also features interviews with some of the former members of the Manson Family, attorneys, and detectives, who diligently worked together to help bring the truth to light.
Charles Watson’s Early Years Were Shaped by Faith and Academic Ambition
On December 2, 1945, Charles Denton Watson, also known as Tex, was born to Elizabeth and Denton Watson in Dallas, Texas. He spent his childhood in Copeville as the younger of two siblings, Jeanne Laurice and James Melvin Watson. Raised in a religious family, he regularly attended church and focused on his studies. Tex became a Boy Scout and a talented track athlete before graduating from Farmersville High School. In 1964, he moved to Denton to attend the University of North Texas. During his teenage years, he also served as an Attendant at his father’s gas station and part-time at the local onion-packing plant. Reports indicate that Tex began partying at the university, which led to a loss of motivation.
Tex then joined Braniff International Airlines as a Baggage Boy. Reports state that around that time, he began experimenting with drugs, and in his senior year in 1967, he went to Los Angeles, California, to meet a friend. He eventually relocated there, enrolled in a California State College, and took up the role of a Wig Salesman. After a few months, Tex dropped out of college, immersed himself in the hippie movement, and reportedly began using marijuana and LSD, among others. He later opened a wig shop with his roommate in Malibu, but sadly had to close it. His life took a turn when he picked up a hitchhiker, Dennis Wilson, who was a member of the Beach Boys.
Charles Watson Was Arrested After a Group Member Revealed About His Role to an Inmate
Dennis took Tex to his house, where the latter first met Charles Manson, who was leading the group named the Manson Family. After spending time with Charles and his group members, Tex decided to join them before the group relocated to the Spahn Ranch in Los Angeles. According to reports, the latter became involved in drug dealing for the communal group. Meanwhile, when a drug deal went bad, another Manson Family member, Robert “Bobby” Kenneth Beausoleil, killed a 34-year-old music teacher, Gary Alan Hinman, on July 27, 1969. He was later convicted and sentenced for the crime. According to a journalist on the show, Charles then allegedly directed Tex and a few other members to commit similar murders to help Bobby get out of jail.
As per the official interviews on the show, Charles allegedly instructed Tex to go to 10050 Cielo Drive with group members Patricia Krenwinkel, Susan Atkins, and Linda Kasabian and do what he had to do. In the early hours of August 9, 1969, the four of them reportedly arrived at that house, and Linda watched as Susan, Tex, and Patricia killed the four people inside the house, including Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Jay Sebring. Tex also shot another man, Steven Parent, in the driveway of the house. On August 10, Tex, Leslie Van Houten, and Patricia went into the Los Feliz house of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, and they killed the couple. For several days, officials were unable to find any viable leads.
In August 1969, Charles, Tex, and other members of the group were arrested for an unrelated charge, and all of them were released shortly after. Tex then reportedly returned home to Texas. Things changed when the other group members were arrested once again in October 1969. As per the statements of a journalist on the show, while they were still in prison, Susan told one of her inmates about her and her group’s connection to the murders. On November 30, 1969, Tex was arrested in connection with the homicides and was charged with seven counts of first-degree murder. His defense attorneys contested his extradition to California for nine months before he was transferred. Eventually, Charles, Susan, Leslie, and Patricia were also charged with the murders.
Charles Watson is Serving His Sentence at a California Prison Today
Following the arrests, Linda received immunity in exchange for testifying for the prosecution against Charles, Tex, and the other defendants. The joint jury trial for the seven murders began in 1970 for Charles, Susan, Leslie, and Patricia. During the trial, Linda testified as the star witness that on the night of the murders at Sharon Tate’s home, Linda was just the driver and acting as a lookout, and insisted that she didn’t take part in the killing. In her testimony, she further stated that on the night of Leno and Rosemary’s murders, she and Charles had also accompanied Tex, Patricia, and Leslie to that home. Linda testified that Charles had left with her after helping Tex tie Rosemary and Leno.
In January 1971, Charles, Susan, and Patricia were convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, while Leslie was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy for the murder of Rosemary and Leno. Ultimately, they were all sentenced to death. After Tex was found competent, a separate jury trial commenced in August 1971. Linda testified about his role in the murders, and the prosecution sought to establish Charles’ influence over Tex’s actions. On the other hand, the defense entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. In October 1971, Tex was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder. He was subsequently sentenced to death.
The death sentences of Tex, Charles, Susan, Patricia, and Leslie were all commuted to life imprisonment in 1972 after the state’s death penalty law was invalidated. By October 15, 2021, Tex had been denied parole 18 times, and on May 26, 2026, he voluntarily waived his right to a parole hearing for 3 years. His next tentative parole suitability hearing is scheduled for October 2029. While in prison, he had been married once and fathered four children, but the union ended in divorce in 2003. He eventually earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from California Coast University and became an ordained minister. He also maintains a website that discusses his ministry, writings, and education. Tex is currently incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County, California.
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