A Los Angeles judge will rule this week on who will inherit the $1 million estate of notorious cult leader Charles Manson, as there are reportedly three people competing to be named as sole heir to his “murderabilia.”
Judge to rule on Manson’s $1 million estate of music, art, and writings
Six years after the death of notorious cult leader Charles Manson, a Los Angeles judge is set to decide this week who will inherit his estimated $1 million estate of rights to his music, art, and writings.
Charles Manson died in 2017 after spending 47 years on death row.
‘Murderabilia’ could bring in a fortune for heir of Manson’s estate
A law dubbed the “Son of Sam Law” was established in New York to prevent criminals from profiting from books or shows about their crimes. The law was enacted in 1977 after serial killer David Berkowitz, also known as the “Son of Sam,” sold his exclusive story rights, MTSU reports.
However, the Supreme Court in 1991 declared the statute was an unconstitutional content-based restriction of free speech in the case Simon and Schuster v. Members of the New York State Crime Victims Board. Several lower courts have also invalidated Son of Sam laws.
What this means for whoever becomes the heir of Manson’s estate is that they are free to exploit it monetarily. Manson’s estate could be worth even more with effective merchandising.
Who are the 3 people competing to inherit Manson’s estate?
Here are the three people contending for Charles Manson’s $1 million estate, all of whom have filed legal documents that argue their respective claims while bashing the cases of the other challengers, the Daily Mail reports.
Daniel Arguelles: Claims to be Manson’s son
Los Angeles-based real estate agent Daniel Arguelles, 62, insists he’s Manson’s biological son. He claims Manson impregnated his mother during a one-night stand in 1959. Arguelles filed 11th-hour legal papers, and the judge postponed an August hearing until this week to allow him to prepare his case. Arguelles claims “there is clear and convincing evidence” that he is Manson’s biological son and therefore is “entitled to an equal share” of Manson’s estate.
A DNA test Arguelles took through Ancestry.com. In July 2015, showed a “close relative match” with Michael Brunner – one of the original claimants in the long-running fight over Manson’s estate. Brunner also declared he was Manson’s biological son. The DNA evidence showed both Brunner and Arguelles “have a 99.99998% probability that they share the same father.”
Jason Freeman: Claims to be grandson
Jason Freeman is a former mixed martial arts fighter. He claims to be the grandson of Charles Manson. Freeman, 46, hails from Bradenton, Florida. He says Channels’ will is fake.
Michael Channels: Manson pen-pal says he has a will
Memorabilia collector Michael Channels, who was a pen-pal of Manson, claims to have a 2002 will from Charles that leaves everything to him.
Charles Manson’s “murderabilia”
The rights to Manson’s letters, art, and music could fetch large amounts, as souvenirs of his and other so-called “murderabilia” are selling for incredible amounts on the Internet.
Locks of Manson’s hair have sold for as much as $800, and snacks half eaten during prison visits have sold for similar amounts. One collector even owns a pair of Manson’s used dentures, OnBuy reports.
ABC reported in 2011 that a lock of Manson’s hair had a starting bid of $2500 on MurderAuction.com.
Manson’s art
A signed angel postcard of Manson’s art was on sale for $225. Other original art pieces have fetched upwards of $600 or more.
Manson’s music
Manson came close to securing a recording contract in the 60s after making an impression on his contemporaries, including Neil Young, Dennis Wilson, and record producer Terry Melcher, the son of actress Doris Day. However, many people have said that Manson’s psychedelic brand of folk music was not very good.
Nonetheless, several well-known musicians have had a long fascination with Charles Manson’s music, with artists such as Guns N’ Roses, The Lemonheads, and Marilyn Manson all recording his songs. Bootleg recordings of his demos are also now widely available, BBC reported.
In his movie Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood, director Quentin Tarantino used Manson’s music after being assured that the royalties and licensing fees would go to the victim’s families. However, a judge’s decision on who owns the rights to Manson’s music could change that.
