Season 4 · Episode 29

Charles Manson: The Audacious Escape Plan

2 July 2025·55:02

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Show Notes

Welcome to Crime Time Inc. with your host Alex! In Episode 29 of our Charles Manson series, we delve into a chaotic chapter from 1971 when the Manson Family planned a daring escape. Discover how Charles 'Tex' Watson's trial unfolded amidst courtroom drama and systemic bias. Learn about the Manson Family's intricate plot to hijack a 747 jumbo jet, and how they audaciously attempted to manipulate the justice system. Uncover how prosecutor Vincent Buliosi faced unyielding challenges in securing convictions and the eerie aftermath where the family's influence persisted. Join us as we unravel one of the darkest tales in criminal history. 00:00 Introduction to Crime Time Inc. 00:41 The Audacious Escape Plan 01:29 The Vigil and War Council 01:54 The LSD-Laced Hamburger Incident 02:45 Tex Watson's Trial 04:26 Judge Alexander's Bias 06:42 Watson's Cross-Examination 08:18 Manson Family's Continued Influence 12:20 The Hawthorne Gun Store Robbery 14:43 The Hijacking Plan 15:43 Kenneth Como's Escape 23:43 The Hawthorne Trial Aftermath 26:13 Manson's Conversation with Buliosi 29:28 Manson's Disturbing Prison Perspective 29:57 Revelations and Confessions 30:48 Racial Views and Helter Skelter 31:43 Legal and Ethical Controversies 32:40 Manson Defends His Prosecutor 34:35 Implications of the Conversation 36:58 The Manson Family's Continued Influence 38:22 Expert Analysis and Reflections 45:20 Escape Attempts and Legal Loopholes 54:27 Final Thoughts and Conclusion Tom Wood is a former murder squad detective and Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police in Scotland. Tom worked on many high profile murder cases including Robert Black, Peter Tobin and was part of the team investigating The World’s End Murders from day one until 37 years later when the culprit, Angus Sinclair was finally convicted. Tom was latterly the detective in overall charge of The World’s End murder investigation.  Tom is now retired from the Police and is a successful author. Tom Wood's Books  Ruxton: The First Modern Murder https://amzn.eu/d/25k8KqG The World's End Murders: The Inside Story https://amzn.eu/d/5U9nLoP Simon is a retired Police Officer and the best selling author of The Ten Percent, https://amzn.eu/d/5trz6bs a memoir consisting of stories from the first part of his career as a police officer. From joining in 1978, being posted in Campbeltown in Argylll, becoming a detective on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, through to the Serious Crime Squad and working in the busy Glasgow station in Govan. #CharlesManson, #MansonMurders, #truecrimepodcast, #helterskelter, #CrimeHistory, Further reading on Charles Manson which helped influence this podcast: Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.