Suvechha Sarkar
In July 1969, a disturbing homicide of a 34-year-old University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) student, Gary Alan Hinman, sent shockwaves through the community of Topanga, California. As the investigation proceeded, it revealed that the murder was connected to the communal group, named the Manson Family, which was led by Charles Manson. Netflix’s ‘Conversations With a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes’ sheds light on the details of the case, which further revealed one of the killers to be a Manson Family member, Robert Kenneth Beausoleil, AKA Bobby. The episode also features interviews with officials and journalists who were closely involved with the case.
Bobby Beausoleil Experienced a Troubled Childhood Before He Met Charles Manson
On November 6, 1947, Robert Kenneth Beausoleil, also known as Bobby, was born to Helen Arlene Mattox and Charles Kenneth Beausoleil in Santa Barbara, California. He was the oldest of the five children and got into trouble during his teenage years, often running away from home. By 15, he was reportedly sent to Los Prietos Boys Camp, where he stayed for about 10 months. Following his release, he split his time between San Francisco and Los Angeles, immersing himself in music and acting. Reports indicate that around the same time, Bobby played in several local bands and sought to pursue a career aligned with his creative passion. That helped him secure a role in the film ‘Lucifer Rising’ and formed a band, The Magick Powerhouse of OZ.
In 1968, Bobby was living in Topanga when he crossed paths with Charles Manson, the leader of the communal group named Manson Family. At the time, the group was living at Spahn Ranch in California, where Bobby frequently visited and bonded with Charles over their shared love of music. Reports state that the Manson Family also welcomed the local biker gang, Straight Satans, into the ranch around the same time. According to a journalist on the show, Bobby wanted to become a part of the biker gang when they allegedly asked him to bring a psychedelic drug, mescaline, from a UCLA student, 34-year-old Gary Alan Hinman, using $1,000 that the gang had provided.
Bobby Beausoleil Was Linked to the Homicide Through the Murder Weapon and a Stolen Car
According to Bobby’s statements during an interview, he claimed that things took a turn when he learned the biker gang demanded their money back because the mescaline was bad. Official documents indicate that Bobby, Mary Brunner, and Susan Atkins then went to Gary’s house to get the $1,000 back. On July 27, 1969, Gary was killed in his own residence. His remains were ultimately discovered on July 31, 1969, and the autopsy revealed that he was stabbed twice in the chest. On the walls, authorities observed the words, “Political Piggy” written on the wall and a paw print, leading them to theorize that the crime might have been committed by a radical group. Court records state that officials were unable to locate Gary’s vehicle at his home.
On August 5, 1969, the stolen vehicle was spotted pulled off the highway between San Luis Obispo and Atascadero. Inside the vehicle, they found Bobby asleep, and he was immediately taken into custody. Upon searching the car, they discovered a sharp knife, which was later determined to have been used in the murder. Ultimately, he was charged with the murder of Gary. Eventually, Charles Manson and two of the communal group members, Bruce Davis and Susan, were also linked to the crime and indicted on the charge of Gary’s murder. They were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder and robbery. Mary was reportedly given immunity in exchange for her testimony as a witness for the prosecution
Bobby Beausoleil Remains Incarcerated at a California Prison Facility Today
Bobby’s first jury trial began in November 1969, and it ended in a hung jury. The second jury trial commenced in March 1970, during which the prosecution presented several pieces of physical evidence and presented Mary as a witness. During her testimony, she stated that she, Susan, and Bobby had gone to Gary’s home to collect the $1,000, but Bobby and the 34-year-old had a physical altercation, involving a gun. As per the testimony, when Charles was informed, he arrived and wounded Gary in the face with a big knife. Mary went on to testify that she, Susan, and Bobby then kept Gary captive in his home before stabbing and smothering the 34-year-old.
Court records reveal that Mary indicated Bruce was also present with a knife during the time the 34-year-old was kept captive. Ultimately, in April 1970, Bobby was found guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to death. He was incarcerated for around 26 months when his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. It happened after the death penalty law was ruled unconstitutional. Susan later pleaded guilty to Gary’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison. In December 1971, Charles was convicted of the first-degree murder of Gary and was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to a life sentence.
Similarly, the jury found Bruce guilty of murder, along with the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and robbery for Gary’s homicide, and the murder of another man named Donald “Shorty” Shea. Bruce ultimately received a life imprisonment sentence. Reports state that Bobby was married twice and fathered four children. Following his sentencing, Bobby was denied parole multiple times. During his parole hearing on July 14, 2026, he was denied parole for the 21st time. As of writing, Bobby is serving his sentence at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California. His next parole suitability hearing is scheduled for July 2029.
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