Please post you have for Alisa Statman in the comments section. These questions will be forwarded on to Alisa.We are grateful to her.
Please. No questions about Debra Tate. To answer any and all Debra questions, she sends this:
...to avoid any more speculation and questions on why Debbie Tate is not involved in this book--and then, honestly, I will have nothing more to add on the subject of Debbie...Debbie is not part of Restless Souls simply because Patti was never close with Debbie, therefore Brie and I were never close with Debbie. In its original format, Restless Souls was Patti's autobiography. At that time, Debbie was not included in Patti's story (nor was she included in either PJ or Doris' roughly done outlines/manuscripts). When it was changed into a family memoir, I decided to keep Patti's voice as a constant throughout--you'll notice we often begin with a memory of Patti's even if the chapter isn't about her--therefore it seemed only logical to continue forward in the original fashion Patti had begun to exclude Debbie.
I hope you all don't mind, but I'm going to take this opportunity to pimp out the Restless Souls Book Trailer HarperCollins amde because it's got some fantastic footage of Sharon with Doris Tate's VO--which for those of you who've read the book, know she means every word of it. Also, I'd like to note that in the Enhanced eBook, there are more recordings, video, and different photos... Here's the link to the trailer. Thanks!
120 comments:
Thank you, Alisa. Welcome.
Alisa, this book was published nearly 7 years after PJ's passing (who was the last of the 3 major contributors). Who collected their thoughts and penned their portions of the book?
Panamint Patty is curious as to how you came to meet Patricia and the rest of the Tate Family? If it is true that you were once a resident of the guest house at Cielo, was it before your residency there, or after?
Also please excuse Patty if that's in the book...she is STILL WAITING on damned Amazon. Ack.
Alisa, thank you so much for joining us.
Panamint Patty said...
Also please excuse Patty if that's in the book...she is STILL WAITING on damned Amazon. Ack.
I'm surprised! I ordered mine from Amazon Friday afternoon and got it today!
Any speculation on who the angelic blond man was that Patti met the afternoon of Sharon's funeral?
Matt- The different sections are from manuscripts (unpublished) that each player worked on. PJ wrote a book FIVE DOWN ON CIELO. Doris worked on a book based on her Victim's Advocates experience. Patti worked on a memoir for her children. It was Alisa who wove them all together.
Alisa went with Pedophile Nelson to meet cop Guenther (maybe, she can clarify names) who had fucking stolen things from the crime scene including a roll of film that was the last photos taken the afternoon of the 9th at Cielo. Alisa liberated the photos and resolved to return them to their proper place. She contacted Patti, they met and they hit it off.
COLONEL- Thanks for the info on the the writings. I found some info there I never knew before.
Thank you sir.
No problem.
The book itself is loaded with things I never knew and I know everything. Doesn't solve everything but drugs clearly are the motivation.
COLONEL- I think that this is the first time in history you have liked a Manson book.
The reviews sound great too.
Hi Alisa,
1) I really enjoyed the bit where Roman goes for his polygraph. He (in my opinion) seemed way too loose for someone who just lost his beautiful wife and unborn son so tragically. He couldn't resist screwing with the detectives with the smoking thing. I would have liked to believe he was still too shaken up to horse around like that. My question is, who was the source for that bit of info? Was it the detectives? Bugliosi? Roman? Just curious is all.
2) This one's clearly none of my bee's wax so I don't expect a reply - but again just curious. Why is it Brie Tate and not Brie F- - - -.?
3) Who are you and what have you done with The Col? You've turned the pissy, sarcastic Col we know and love into a giddy teenager. It's just kinda weird :)
Whay are there no dates associated with the incidents described in the chapters? PJs for instance...seems to me that someone as meticulous as he would have included them...so it's a bit confusing...when exactly did he travel to Canada...when exactly did he tail the bikers?
I have other thoughts as well, but I am not through with the book yet so....
Starship, being a history buff that one itched at me a little bit, too. Dates would have put things in historical context and helped me understand the sequence of events a little better. It didn't take away from the substance of what I was reading, though.
Panamint Patty Said: Thank you, Alisa. Welcome.
Thank You.
Matt said: Alisa, this book was published nearly 7 years after PJ's passing (who was the last of the 3 major contributors). Who collected their thoughts and penned their portions of the book?
Col Scott’s answer below is correct.
Panamint Patty said: Is curious as to how you came to meet Patricia and the rest of the Tate family? If it is true that you were once a residence of the guesthouse at Cielo, was it before your residency there, or after?
Again, Col Scott’s answer is correct when he wrote: Alisa went with Pedophile Nelson to meet cop Guenther (maybe, she can clarify names) who had fucking stolen things from the crime scene including a roll of film that was the last photos taken the afternoon of the 9th at Cielo. Alisa liberated the photos and resolved to return them to their proper place. She contacted Patti, they met and they hit it off. The only additions I would make is that it was Deemer who harbored the photos.
Eviliz said: Alisa, thank you so much for joining us.
Thank you for having me.
Johnny Angel said: Any speculation on who the angelic blond man was that Patti met the afternoon of Sharon's funeral?
No, Patti honestly could not remember—just that in her mind at the time he was possibly a musician.
Eviliz said: COLONEL- I think that this is the first time in history you have liked a Manson book. The reviews sound great too.
I’m blushing if this is indeed the case.
Suze said: ) 1) I really enjoyed the bit where Roman goes for his polygraph…My question is, who was the source for that bit of info? Was it the detectives? Bugliosi? Roman? Just curious is all.
The source, as stated in the book is Lt. Helder. He and PJ became very good friends—and a bit of trivia not found in the book, the two of them together opened a Private Investigative firm for a while.
2) Suze Said: This one's clearly none of my bee's wax so I don't expect a reply - but again just curious. Why is it Brie Tate and not Brie F- - - -.?
For privacy and safety concerns to the rest of her family., and of course, name association.
3) Suze Said: Who are you and what have you done with The Col? You've turned the pissy, sarcastic Col we know and love into a giddy teenager. It's just kinda weird.
The Col and I “met” years ago when some people wrote some really horrible comments about Patti & I on his blog. I wrote him a 2 page letter about how I didn’t want to censor his blog, but still I presented him with a question: How did a simple act of kindness—me taking custody of 2 of Patti’s children—turn into something so ugly in everyone’s mind? I then gave him some information that he might want to check into. Of course, he didn’t take my word for it, he dug and dug and dug until he found the truth—which btw, for the non-believers is what he always does. Over the years, I’ve gained respect for the man and his intentions. He's callous at times, but lets face it, he sometimes says exactly what some of us are afraid to say.
Starship: Why are there no dates associated with the incidents described in the chapters? PJs for instance...seems to me that someone as meticulous as he would have included them...so it's a bit confusing...when exactly did he travel to Canada...when exactly did he tail the bikers?
My goal with this book was for it not to be a historical document filled with times and events. Because the book is told in the first person perspective, I felt that giving out dates took the reader away from that… In the original draft we did have dates at the headers of each passage, but in the end, my editor felt that unless there was a big time jump, this too took us out of the first person perspective and I thought so too.
sorry, what is the books name? I'd also like to order it
oh right, I got it. Pic didnt load
Thanks, Alisa. Didn't have the book with me when I asked my questions so I forgot about Lt. Helder. Interesting that they ventured into business together. I'm wondering what sort of investigations they concentrated on. That would be interesting to know.
I am curious if Alisa has written other things and what her other interests she might have.
I am sorry, like Patty, I haven't recieved my copy yet but it does sound like a thoughtful and insightful treatsie. Did Alisa ever talk to anyone in the Family?
Suze Said: I'm wondering what sort of investigations they concentrated on. That would be interesting to know.
They actually had a lot of cases. Most notably would be the Jeffrey MacDonald case. Please don't take this as fact, because I've done little to no research on it, but I do remember PJ telling me that he and Helder were the ones to arrest MacDonald after his initial release as a suspect for the murders of his wife and children. MacDonald had moved to Cali. And, I'm not sure why the authorities used Helder and PJ to extradite him. It may have been that MacDonald's father-in-law hired PJ to watch him after the move to CA.
I hope you all don't mind, but I'm going to take this opportunity to pimp out the Restless Souls Book Trailer HarperCollins amde because it's got some fantastic footage of Sharon with Doris Tate's VO--which for those of you who've read the book, know she means every word of it. Also, I'd like to note that in the Enhanced eBook, there are more recordings, video, and different photos... Here's the link to the trailer. Thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG20eeDlcTo&list=UUApwHGBiNg31FQmIlIRLSvw&index=1&feature=plcp&noredirect=1
Alisa,
I've always enjoyed this Bertice Berry clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6KMn_lsRP0
The glances exchanged between Patti/Bugliosi with Bertice and/or producers (regarding Sandy) speak volumes.
What (if anything did Patti ever tell you about what she was feeling and thinking during this segment?
damn, this gives me a freakin headache...can anyone tell me how to research how this book is selling? It seems you can't get book sales figures anywhere without paying some huge subscription fee. It's like book sales are national security or something, drives me nuts. Has Restless Souls cracked the top 250 on NY Times best seller list? Anyone?
I have to say "Thank You" to both Alisa and Brie. I read your book in a day and a half. It was heartfelt and comprehensive.
AlisaStatman said...
Eviliz said: COLONEL- I think that this is the first time in history you have liked a Manson book. The reviews sound great too.
I’m blushing if this is indeed the case.
LOL
I found one of the last Barnes & Noble on earth today. It was about 50 miles away from my town.
I stopped in and now am about to go read my new book!!!!!
DAMMIT
Matt Said: I've always enjoyed this Bertice Berry clip...What (if anything did Patti ever tell you about what she was feeling and thinking during this segment?
I was there for the taping that day. Most of her thoughts are in the chapter--She was very saddened by the callousness of the kids, very disturbed and then angered at what Sandra Good had to say. In the end, I think what bothered and hurt her most that day was that everyone, through their support of what they thought was right or wrong seemed to have forgotten the victims, the tragedy of what had happened, and the tremendous loss of life. But through her sadness, you can actually see her gain strength within the hour of the show. I was very proud of her that day.
Leary7 said: I am curious if Alisa has written other things and what her other interests she might have.
I am sorry, like Patty, I haven't recieved my copy yet but it does sound like a thoughtful and insightful treatsie. Did Alisa ever talk to anyone in the Family?
Leary7, I'm sorry, I thought I published an answer to this earlier, but now I don't see it--sorry very new to the blog deal...
I've never written anything else--this book has been a labor of love and may be the only thing I ever get published...My day job is working as an Assistant Director on Modern Family.
If your last question is about the Tate family, then yes. I knew Doris through Patti and lived with PJ on and off for 8 years--he had 2 other homes. One in Big Bear, the other on Whidbey Island. And Patti and I lived together for almost 9 years.
Maria said: I have to say "Thank You" to both Alisa and Brie. I read your book in a day and a half. It was heartfelt and comprehensive.
Thank YOU.
Panamint Patty said: is curious as to how you came to meet Patricia and the rest of the Tate Family? If it is true that you were once a resident of the guest house at Cielo, was it before your residency there, or after?
I've found some grumblings that perhaps I tried to avoid this answer by saying that Col Scott answered it for me--and I honestly thought he had here and on his blog...
Let me be perfectly clear about this subject, I am in no way avoiding it, nor ashamed, nor do I have anything to hide. In fact, CNN will be running a full disclosure on the subject matter--which is why, at the moment, this will be the Cliffs Notes version.
PP, Yes, I moved into the Cielo house in 1990 and stayed until 1993 with a short sub-lease to NIN. I met Patti as a direct result of living at Cielo and of course, the now infamous photo theft caper.
After the CNN report, I will be happy to clear up anything that remains unclear.
Alisa, when will the CNN piece run?
Also Alisa, Donald Shea is always referred to in the book as Donald O'Shea...
A lot of media in 1969 also referred to Shorty as O'Shea
Alisa, thank you for being so candid. PP has no agenda BTW, she is just extremely curious and has very few filters.
She still cannot believe she is having this conversation with you, it is truly a privilege. You were there, you are part of the history. And while Patty is feeling a little starstruck she thanks you also for reminding her that at the very core of this whole Manson thing were several innocent people who did not deserve to die.
Which leads Patty to her next unfiltered question. Do you believe that the Family killed other people and got away with it?
Let's make that ELEVEN innocent people (Shea, Hinman, TLB). That we know about.
Modern Family!!!! My favorite show. That is so cool.
I understand the "labor of love" thing and apparently you have done such an amazing job it is a testimony to the love you have shared with the Tate family.
Unfortunately, and it was probably in bad taste, but I was asking if you had met or talked with anyone in the so-called Manson Family. I don't suppose you would have had any need or interest in doing so, just curious if you had,
Though I am only on page 88-I LOVE this book. I am very appreciative to the Tate family for sharing the "other" half of this story.
God bless them all for their courage and strength. I am sure they are all resting in peace together.
And as with most new books on the subject, it supplies alot of information to some of my unanswered questions.
My knowledge of Sharon has been so broadened. Before reading the book, I knew little about Sharon.
The books hold nothing back about Sharon and her demons. It feels good to me to know more about her. Not just what the other books have told us. This book touches more on her personal life than Greg King ever did in his book.
Poor Sharon. She overcame obstacles to get to the point in her life where she was finally ALMOST happy. She was married to someone she truly loved,she even accepted trolly Roman's infidelities.
Sharon was ALMOST where she personally wanted to be in her life-star wise,
as well as a doting wife and on the doorstep of the final completion-having her first baby in a month.
Snuffed out so senselessly for what? It pains me how she never even got to have her baby.
Only getting to hold him in death.
I know a small portion of the readers here are Sharon fans.
Several have shared lots of photos with me. I plan on honoring Sharon's memory more in the future on the blog.
Even if it is just in pictures.
Matt said...
Alisa, when will the CNN piece run?
You can count on Matt, Patty and myself to keep everyone here updated on new things such as the CNN piece.
Thank you so much for the wonderful book and thank Brie for me also.
I commend the "Tates" for sharing.
Patty's copy has arrived! WOOT
Matt said: Alisa, when will the CNN piece run?
I'm not sure. Knowing y'all, you will know before I do ;-)
Mike said: Also Alisa, Donald Shea is always referred to in the book as Donald O'Shea.
There were quite a few instances where name spellings were in discrepancy. As with everything else, I used the spellings that I had from within the Tate family paperwork--PJ in his notes spelled it Donald O'Shea so I felt compelled to use that spelling--Same with Abigail Folger's nickname, Gibbie, as opposed to the more often used Gibby and Woytek's too.
Panamint Patty said...Alisa, thank you for being so candid. PP has no agenda BTW, she is just extremely curious and has very few filters.
LOL
She still cannot believe she is having this conversation with you, it is truly a privilege. You were there, you are part of the history. And while Patty is feeling a little starstruck she thanks you also for reminding her that at the very core of this whole Manson thing were several innocent people who did not deserve to die.
More blushing.
Which leads Patty to her next unfiltered question. Do you believe that the Family killed other people and got away with it?
Absolutely. If nothing else, we have Bruce Davis telling Doris' prison informant that if he ever got a new trial he'd tell them were to find the bodies--and this was well after Grogan gave up the location of Mr. O'Shea.
eviliz said...
Matt said...
Alisa, when will the CNN piece run?
You can count on Matt, Patty and myself to keep everyone here updated on new things such as the CNN piece.
Thank you so much for the wonderful book and thank Brie for me also.
I commend the "Tates" for sharing.
You guys have been very kind. We're very grateful. And you should know that Brie's been monitoring all the conversations and is really excited by the positive responses.
AlisaStatman said...
I'm not sure. Knowing y'all, you will know before I do ;-)
Tru dat! :)
If anything else can come of this story, I am hoping that the words of this family will ensure that this case does not go away ever. Even after these killers have died and are rotting in hell, there are still sick individuals out there who will see them as "role models".
It's very unfortunate that the innocents, like Alisa and Brie and their family, continue to be stained by the consequences of these crimes, but at the same time, the fact that there are still "followers" and "Family members" out there makes their plight for justice that much more relevant.
All criminals, regardless of the severity of their crimes, should have to hear of the repercussions and impact their actions have had on the families of their victims and the generations of family members to come.
Maria said: If anything else can come of this story, I am hoping that the words of this family will ensure that this case does not go away ever. Even after these killers have died and are rotting in hell, there are still sick individuals out there who will see them as "role models".
It's very unfortunate that the innocents, like Alisa and Brie and their family, continue to be stained by the consequences of these crimes, but at the same time, the fact that there are still "followers" and "Family members" out there makes their plight for justice that much more relevant.
All criminals, regardless of the severity of their crimes, should have to hear of the repercussions and impact their actions have had on the families of their victims and the generations of family members to come.
Well said, Maria.
Brie, it's great to know that you follow the dialogue. I loved the book, devoured it in no time!
Both of you, thank you for this book. I'm relatively new to the subject matter. I've only been studying for about a year. This is the first book (at least that I know of) written from the perspective of a victim's family. For 42 years every perspective has been heard but this one.
Best of luck Brie with your young family!
I'll be checking back here often waiting for that CNN piece!
Also Alisa, what to you think of the Col's extrapolation that the book "doesn't solve everything but drugs clearly are the motivation."?
Thank you Alisa, for honestly asnwering our questions...and of course, Brie, for following this thread.
Like PP, I honestly can't believe that we are actually communicating with the authors of this book. Indeed a privilege.
Brie said it well on p. 377...
"...on August 9, 1969, in an hour's time, Sharon's killers played with fate and changed destiny's blueprint until their merged with ours."
Never in a million years should the name "Manson" ever have been synonymous with "Tate"...however, it is, and I am certain that both Doris and Patti's mission will be carried on through Alisa and Brie...
Tex and Charlie need to read this book and thank their lucky stars that PJ never got a hold of either of them.
Suze said: Lots of NICE stuff--thank you!
Also Alisa, what to you think of the Col's extrapolation that the book "doesn't solve everything but drugs clearly are the motivation."?
I think it was 2 thoughts put into one sentence. A: Restless Souls doesn't solve everything. B: (In his opinion) Drugs clearly are the motivation...because I can think of nothing in our book that really supports this. However, He's done a lot of in depth research into this theory and I think he supports it in a thought provoking manner.
Alisa said this in an earlier post...
"I do remember PJ telling me that he and Helder were the ones to arrest MacDonald after his initial release as a suspect for the murders of his wife and children."
I am very familiar with this case as well, and find it highly ironic that both Lt. Helder and Colonel Tate were involved considering that the crime scene had been staged to look as though it had been committed by individuals replicating the Manson Murders. I remember reading that a copy of a magazine with an article about Manson was found at the scene, not to mention the viciousness of these murders...and of course the whole notion of "hippies".
Maria said: Tex and Charlie need to read this book and thank their lucky stars that PJ never got a hold of either of them.
I really hope Tex gets hold of a copy so that he knows that Doris had his number all along. And that her comment after his 1990 parole hearing, "I’m sixty-six years old. I won’t be alive forever, but I will go to my grave intent that justice be served, and future generations will not forget Tex Watson’s evil deeds."...And, that's what it's all about.
alisa,
i know you spent time with bill nelson as did i. i filed mail fraud charges agaist him, which quieted him for a while and put his mail order business out of business. what i am wondering is did mrs. tate go to her grave trusting him, or did she realize he was bad news? also what did patty feel about nelson?
Patty is on page 153. Doris is speaking: "On August 7, 1969, I was on top of the world...Sharon had permanently moved to Los Angeles, I had a grandbaby on her (sic) way, and P.J. was weeks from retiring."
A simple typo? Or, were the Tates expecting a granddaughter instead of a grandson?
This is a major score Liz!
Glad you think so, Louis. Alisa has been very accommodating and informative. Have you read the book yet?
beauders said...alisa,i know you spent time with bill nelson as did i. i filed mail fraud charges agaist him, which quieted him for a while and put his mail order business out of business. what i am wondering is did mrs. tate go to her grave trusting him, or did she realize he was bad news? also what did patty feel about nelson?
Beauders I'm sorry you, I, Doris or anyone else crossed Nelson's path. He liked to blame me for the Tate family turning against him, but the truth is that after they made that video, Doris Tate In Her Own Words, Nelson got weird about money which sparked something in PJ who did some research on him to find that he had been brought up on charges involving a minor. After that, Doris severed all ties with Nelson...While Nelson likes to claim that he worked with Patti to get her on TV shows, she never had a single conversation with the man.
Panamint Patty said...Patty is on page 153. Doris is speaking: "On August 7, 1969, I was on top of the world...Sharon had permanently moved to Los Angeles, I had a grandbaby on her (sic) way, and P.J. was weeks from retiring."
A simple typo? Or, were the Tates expecting a granddaughter instead of a grandson?
Not a typo, according to Patti, Sharon mostly referred to the baby as she/her. You'll see this later in some of Patti's memories. Since Doris is speaking of the past, we stayed in the "female" so to speak.
Alisa, given the good work of Doris and Patti - what is the current standing of Tex Watson's prison situation. Does he still enjoy the extensive privileges that he had as a chapel worker? Hopefully not.
I'm just a little curious...
Alisa...what brought you up to Cielo to live?
Besides the fact that it was a beautiful piece of property (before the current cement monstrosity was built) and an absolutely wonderful house...didn't you find it a bit of a spooky place, for lack of a better word?
Also, did you occupy the main house or the guest house? One of my friends lived int he guest house during the late 1980's as well and said that although he never ventured to the main house, the property was very peaceful and not "creepy" at all.
Suze said...Alisa, given the good work of Doris and Patti - what is the current standing of Tex Watson's prison situation. Does he still enjoy the extensive privileges that he had as a chapel worker? Hopefully not.
Not at all. He's working as a janitor. No conjugal visits--a law that Patti worked very hard to push through-- and to the best of my knowledge, no special privileges.
Louis365 said...
This is a major score Liz!
Thank you Louis. I would love to take credit for this but it was all Matt's doing.
I didn't even know about it myself. LOL
I popped open the blog and there it was!
Hello Alisa,
Silly question. But I'm interested nonetheless.
Doris and PJ both refer to hearing Sharon's voice in guidance after her death. Do you believe this was really Sharon or was it the product of the tortured mind of grief-stricken parents?
It would be wonderful to think that they are at peace together.
Thanks in advance.
Alisa,
"Doris Tate In Her Own Words, Nelson got weird about money which sparked something in PJ who did some research on him to find that he had been brought up on charges involving a minor"
He was AWFUL to her in that video!! Im glad something happened to make her see what kind of evil jerk he was! Anyone that hasnt watched the 'interview' really should just to see what sort of rotten human he was.
He very obviously was having fun telling her things she never wanted to hear and SMIRKED doing so. He nonstop read what the murderers say during/about killing Sharon and the entire time you can tell hes happy with himself - too bad someone couldnt slap that smile off his stupid face!
On another topic - Alisa, How many people did you go through before go before you found the person that read as Doris in your book? Its amazing how much she sounds like Doris!
Danielle said...
Hello Alisa,Doris and PJ both refer to hearing Sharon's voice in guidance after her death. Do you believe this was really Sharon or was it the product of the tortured mind of grief-stricken parents?
Boy, we could speculate all day, and I fully respect those out there who do not believe.
Nevertheless, my personal belief is yes...Long before it was vogue to go to psychic mediums like Sylvia Brown and John Edward, Doris Tate use to have a psychic medium come to some of her Parents of Murdered Children meetings. She, of course, came under a lot of scrutiny at the time for doing this, but she didn't care because even in spite of her strong Catholic beliefs, she felt that this type of communication /connection with a lost loved one helped the parents in her group to heal. And, I believe she was right.
laurasdeals said...
On another topic - Alisa, How many people did you go through before go before you found the person that read as Doris in your book? Its amazing how much she sounds like Doris!
I did not want to be a part of the casting process because I feared that I would never be happy with any actor's portrayal of a subject matter that I'm so close to. For that same reason, I still have not listened to the audio version--some day. I'm sure that all of the actors did an amazing job and I'm very happy to hear your positive response to it.
With respect, I'd still like Alisa to answer three questions....
1. Has she ever had any contact with any Manson Family member?
2. Assumiong she moved to Cielo Drive in large part due to her interest in the case, and that is where she met Patty, was Patty not a wee bit suspicious of her interest in the case when they first met?
3. Does Alisa have an opinion concerning the Susanna Lo movie or the plays 'California Dreamin' or 'Mean'?
Matt said...
Glad you think so, Louis. Alisa has been very accommodating and informative. Have you read the book yet?
Yes, she has been very accommodating. Quite interesting replies from Ms. Statman. No Matt, I have yet to read the book. After it has been out a year, I'll be able to get it through the library. The next book in line for me is the one written by that Canadian who befriended Manson. Forget his name but I think the book is called "Charles Manson NOW". I have all sorts of video coverage. newspaper clippings, on the case, but it is all in digital form. I don't have one book, but I have read quite a few of them. Years ago, I wrote to Manson a num of times and got some replies, but after awhile I threw them out...just didn't like the karma I felt from them.
leary7 said...With respect, I'd still like Alisa to answer three questions....
1. Has she ever had any contact with any Manson Family member?
2. Assumiong she moved to Cielo Drive in large part due to her interest in the case, and that is where she met Patty, was Patty not a wee bit suspicious of her interest in the case when they first met?
3. Does Alisa have an opinion concerning the Susanna Lo movie or the plays 'California Dreamin' or 'Mean'?
1: Sorry forgot I hadn't really answered your original question. Not direct contact. I went to Tex Watson's parole hearing with Patti. Met Sandra Good at a talk show. And, had a very unwelcome surprise visit at the Cielo house from Sandra Good and a male friend. My dog began barking so I went to the gate and found them climbing over the top. Didn't know what else to do so I opened it on them. Sandra had on big glasses and a scarf and I didn't recognize her until as they were walking away, the gate was closing and she made a comment. I recognized her voice.
2A: Leary, you can believe this or not, I'm not here to try to sway you and it's your right not to believe it. But, I did not move into Cielo due to interest in the case. I found Cielo simply by chance while looking for a house for lease--in LA it's common practice (or at least it was then) to simply drive through the canyons looking for "For Lease" signs. I'd just made it into the DGA, got a huge pay hike and wanted to move from Laurel to Benedict or Coldwater. There were open house signs on Benedict leading all the way from Tower Rd to Cielo. I just followed the signs to the house. Did I know when I moved in what had happened there? Absolutely. It was disclosed in my lease agreement.
2B: Patti, PJ, and Doris Tate were all very smart people. Patti was never suspicious because I never had anything to hide. She saw me for who I am--a good person trying to do simple acts of kindness. And if you think for one second that PJ didn't do a full background check on me before I moved into his home, you are gravely mistaken. Again, I'm not here to convince anyone of anything because people are going to believe what they want to believe and as with all of us, that is their right.
3: I think everyone has a right to do what they want as long as others are not hurt physically or mentally in the process. I don't know enough about the projects you mentioned to say one way or the other. But, as always, I would hope that they do not glorify or romanticize cold blooded killers.
@Alisa
I hope you dont mind a few more questions but I have to ask! Some are legal(ish) or personal so forgive me if they are off limits.
1. In the book Patti talks about taking the rocking chair to Sharon's and being upset that she didnt go and tell Sharon goodbye since Doris said they would be back the next day - I think it said this was the last time Patti ever saw Sharon, but I think she said it was two months beforehand? Was this an error or did I misunderstand the time frame?
2. Was Doris able to move forward (as best she could) and have a happy life? I really mean more on a personal level? It seemed like holidays were important to her and I really hope that she was able to have as much happiness as possible considering how much agony she faced.
3. How long after Sharons death did Rudy Altobelli sue her estate?
4. Did Doris/PJ/Patti feel that Linda Kasabian should have been punished? Ive always felt she got away with murder (pardon the pun) when she was just as guilty as the others. Her story never made sense to me and I think she was able to get a pass when she certainly shouldn't have.
On that note - its always been really weird to me that Kasabian and Atkins pretty much came up with the same story as an excuse for them staying with the family and going along with the murders.
Susan Atkins said at a parole hearing she was trying to take her kid and leave because it was getting 'really really nuts' 'really crazy' within the family before the murders she feared Charlie would hurt her or her child so she had to wait for the right time. She then says that she finally was able to get the child but went into one of the buildings to get diapers/clothes for the baby and ran into Charlie and when he asked what she was doing she told him she was leaving. First of all, she just said she couldnt tell him she was leaving because she was scared he would kill her, so why tell him shes leaving when she had no reason to tell him the truth? He had no reason to think she was leaving since she hadnt even attempted to pack anything yet. That leads to the second issue I have - if she really were scared for her life and the life of her child there is no way she would chance going into any of the buildings to get diapers, she would have simply left.
Kasabian also said that she was scared for her life and the life of her child - she also said that she attempted to leave with the baby but was unable to after attempting to pack a bag for the child. She said she didnt get help the first night because she was scared for the child's life because her child was at the ranch yet when she finally DID leave the ranch she left the kid there? When asked about leaving the kid there she said she didnt think they would hurt the baby but when asked why she didnt run for help the first night she said because she was scared they would hurt the baby, which makes NO sense.
Sorry so many questions, Im just a curious girl :)
Alisa, Sandy and a friend were climbing over the gate at Cielo???? That's beyond creepy! You opened the gate wile they were climbing? I'm assuming you closed it too while they were still on it.
Did you ever find out what she wanted? She knew your address, she could have just written you a letter!
Me again :)
Patti obviously felt secure enough with Alisa to allow her children to be taken care of by Alisa after Patti's death and I can only assume that both Patti and Alisa felt deeply for one another so I dont get the whole living at cielo/interest in the case speculation or why its important.
I mean.. Lets look at things logically, PJ was a pitt bull - if Alisa was late turning in her library books in the 1st grade PJ would have known about it.
I forgot one more question, sorry Alisa! I cant help it! :)
Did Patti ever talk to you about the krenwinkel parole hearing she went to?
Its really one of the strangest things Ive ever seen, Krenwinkel is drawing on a legal pad like shes bored while they go over the murders and didnt even bother to look up, then gets pissy when shes asked questions (all answers were a curt 'no, i did not' 'no, i did not' while she continued to draw on the pad..
But the weirdest part was that she acted like she didn't remember what she did that night, like she couldn't remember who she rounded up and then didn't seem to remember Jay's name saying she couldn't remember all the details because it was so long ago (I think it was 25 years later at the time of that parole hearing).
Krenwinkel's lawyer was out of control too, she was saying how it wasnt fair that Patti (or any victims) could come into the hearing because it was unfair to the prisoner for the victims family to have the last word. Its funny how suddenly they are interested in whats fair vs unfair when it involves what their life.
I've read somewhere that Charles Manson was the only one of the killers who wrote a letter to Tate family dont you know what the letter says?
I am certainly not going to fault Alisa for being drawn to the Cielo property. It really was a beautiful set-up back then, and the notoriety of it would have made me curious, perhaps even enough to want to live there.
I was wondering though...how long after the murders was PJ up at Cielo to witness the bikers and follow them back to Spahn? The reason I ask, is that if it was before any of the arrests were made, then I'm assuming that those bikers knew what had gone down there fairly soon after the murders. It makes me sick if this was the case because the police could have had this solved so much earlier if someone had started talking.
thank you Alisa. and not to sound obsequious but I don't question for a second that you found Cielo Drive innocently. You do seem like a totally forthright person so I have no hesitation to believe whatever you say.
That story of Blue and friend climbing your fence at Cielo is a show stopper. Yikes.
Thanks again for the answers. Your responses to questions here have been amazing.
Not sure, Alisa, if you have had a chance to see Robert Hendrickson's latest, Death to Pigs. He writes that a man named "Kevin" came into the Family and drifted back out again some time after the murders, and that he was probably CIA.
Since it seems that PJ had a very high security clearance, he would have probably known if there were operatives or not gathering information at Spahn, Barker and beyond. Did he ever say anything about it?
And while we are on the subject, what about TJ Walleman? Ex marine, rumored informant, and buried in a veteran's graveyard in northern Nevada that will not admit he is there. Why? Any ideas?
Alisa, I have some questions.
Here is the first:
In the book, it says that Col Tate went AWOL from the NAVY when Sharon was born. This would be in 1943 during the height of WWII. Not a good time to go AWOL.
Tate was a Lt. Col in the ARMY Intelligence.
How did he (a) go from the Navy to the Army, and
(b) get promoted and not demoted in any branch of military service after going AWOL?
Page 286 has Patti confronting her ex about his influence in keeping his family's identity a secret. If Panamint Patty might ask, how does he feel now that Brie has changed her name? Patty hopes he has become accepting of her mission to continue her grandma's work.
laurasdeals said...
1. In the book Patti talks about taking the rocking chair to Sharon's and being upset that she didnt go and tell Sharon goodbye since Doris said they would be back the next day - I think it said this was the last time Patti ever saw Sharon, but I think she said it was two months beforehand? Was this an error or did I misunderstand the time frame?
Neither: Contrary to Noguchi's estimate he made at the time of the autopsy, Sharon's baby was not due until October 22--I have her doctor's paperwork to back this up. Sadly, in the 1st ed of the book, a mistake was made by the copy editor who thought they knew more than me and they put 8.5 months. This will be changed in later additions and may have already been changed in the eBook. I'm fully aware that many times both Patti and Doris said Sharon was 8.5 months pregnant, but like everyone else, they're susceptible to the past falsities sticking in their minds.
2. Was Doris able to move forward (as best she could) and have a happy life? I really mean more on a personal level? It seemed like holidays were important to her and I really hope that she was able to have as much happiness as possible considering how much agony she faced.
At times, very much so. She took great joy in being a grandmother.
3. How long after Sharons death did Rudy Altobelli sue her estate?
The suit was settled on Nov. 19th, 1971 for $4250.00
4. Did Doris/PJ/Patti feel that Linda Kasabian should have been punished? Ive always felt she got away with murder (pardon the pun) when she was just as guilty as the others. Her story never made sense to me and I think she was able to get a pass when she certainly shouldn't have.
Yes.
Matt said...
Alisa, Sandy and a friend were climbing over the gate at Cielo???? That's beyond creepy! You opened the gate wile they were climbing? I'm assuming you closed it too while they were still on it.
No. As it opened they jumped down and began to back away saying they were just tourists and meant no harm.
Did you ever find out what she wanted? She knew your address, she could have just written you a letter!
She wasn't there to see me. Didn't know me. She was (I assume) just there to show someone the scene of the crime.
laurasdeals said...
Did Patti ever talk to you about the krenwinkel parole hearing she went to?
Yes. She had a well prepared impact statement to make, but put it aside and focused on the very facts that you brought up. She told the board, and I'm paraphrasing--She just seems so blank...You have to remember that that was the first hearing of Krenwinkel's in which a victim showed up to make an impact statement (Doris only attended Atkins and Watson's) and Patti rattled her pretty good because until then she'd been flying under the radar. That's also the hearing in which Krenwinkel went into a complete meltdown. There's an interesting Court TV special that aired alongside the hearing in which they interviewed both Patti and Krenwinkel that I quote in the book and Krenwinkel's anger about Patti showing up is very apparent and Patti's anger at Krenwinkel's complete lack of memory for something she supposedly "lives with everyday" is also apparent.
leary7 said...
thank you Alisa. and not to sound obsequious but I don't question for a second that you found Cielo Drive innocently. You do seem like a totally forthright person so I have no hesitation to believe whatever you say.
That story of Blue and friend climbing your fence at Cielo is a show stopper. Yikes.
Thanks again for the answers. Your responses to questions here have been amazing.
Thank you for giving me a chance and taking a bit of time to focus on the victims in this case. I'm very grateful to all.
maria said...
I was wondering though...how long after the murders was PJ up at Cielo to witness the bikers and follow them back to Spahn?
I believe it was in November.
Panamint Patty said...
Not sure, Alisa, if you have had a chance to see Robert Hendrickson's latest, Death to Pigs. He writes that a man named "Kevin" came into the Family and drifted back out again some time after the murders, and that he was probably CIA.
Since it seems that PJ had a very high security clearance, he would have probably known if there were operatives or not gathering information at Spahn, Barker and beyond. Did he ever say anything about it?
I haven't seen the movie, but no, PJ never mentioned anything like that. There was so much intriguing stuff that we had to edit out of PJ's investigation because it was just too long. Same thing with Sharon's chapter (2). If I get permission from Harpers I'd like to publish some of the outakes from the book on my website. At its' full length Restless Souls was 600 pages.
Panamint Patty said...
And while we are on the subject, what about TJ Walleman? Ex marine, rumored informant, and buried in a veteran's graveyard in northern Nevada that will not admit he is there. Why? Any ideas?
Was he dishonorably discharged?
Panamint Patty said...
Page 286 has Patti confronting her ex about his influence in keeping his family's identity a secret. If Panamint Patty might ask, how does he feel now that Brie has changed her name? Patty hopes he has become accepting of her mission to continue her grandma's work.
Brie's father has been very supportive of her endeavors with this book. And while Patti, in re-discovering who she was, resented this taboo, don't-talk-about-it, philosophy, it's also something she adhered to for many years. Please don't find fault with her husband or his family. I think like most, they were just scared.
Is Lynyrd whiney or what?....
Miss Alisa never answered my question.
To which there isn't an answer.
Next question? HA HA.
laurasdeals said...
3. How long after Sharons death did Rudy Altobelli sue her estate?
Sorry, at first glance, I misunderstood your question...The first court record that I'm in possession of is dated November 19, 1969, but the threat of a lawsuit started within the first month after the murders.
Oddly, The suit was also settled on Nov. 19th, 1971 for $4250.00 and filed and closed with the county on December 17, 1969.
Maria, I did not publish your comment - as well intentioned as it was. I did though pass it on to Alisa in its entirety. Thanks.
That's ok Matt...I understand.
alisa,
since you brought up good plus one showing up at cielo, i was wondering if any other mansonesque people showed up while you were living there? i know nelson and atkins attorney, frazier spent time there, and what about the anniversary of the murders did anyone show up that night? i have heard people reenact the murders and am wondering if that is true.
Alisa...
can I ask how sales of the book are going? I know it has only been out a few weeks but are there any sales figures? Just curious.
Patty stayed up late to finish the book last night while all the hubbub was breaking loose.
Good luck Alisa and Brie. Whenever you put yourself out there, there will be people who hate. But Patty knows you will be okay having read this on the last pages:
"Like a stone pitched into a dead calm, every act committed toward another - good or evil - will reach a hundred more by the day's close...Mom and nana spent their lives throwing positive stones. I like to believe that their splash is still circling outward and paid forward by those who don't even know where the epicenter formed."
Well stated.
Panamint Patty said...
Patty stayed up late to finish the book last night while all the hubbub was breaking loose.
Good luck Alisa and Brie. Whenever you put yourself out there, there will be people who hate. But Patty knows you will be okay having read this on the last pages:
"Like a stone pitched into a dead calm, every act committed toward another - good or evil - will reach a hundred more by the day's close...Mom and nana spent their lives throwing positive stones. I like to believe that their splash is still circling outward and paid forward by those who don't even know where the epicenter formed."
Well stated.
Never thought I'd say this in a positive way, but Panamint Patty, you just brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for that.
Leary: I don't have a clue what the book sales are doing--honestly. And it's not my main goal here. I would have done this for free if HC had said we'll do it but no money.
I actually have what I think is a good question for Alisa. There is a picture of Patti, standing in front of a huge gate with a NO Trespassing sign on it. She is looking over her shoulder and is wearing blue slacks and a white blouse.
I have often wondered where this was taken...was it up at Cielo?
I honestly did worry it was rude of me to ask how sales were going Alisa. I am sure that is the least of your concerns. But I am a numbers guy so I am always fascinated by demographics and figures. I really am curious to gauge how much interest in the subject remains amongst the public at large after forty plus years. Sorry if I offended.
maria said...
I actually have what I think is a good question for Alisa. There is a picture of Patti, standing in front of a huge gate with a NO Trespassing sign on it. She is looking over her shoulder and is wearing blue slacks and a white blouse.
I have often wondered where this was taken...was it up at Cielo?
No, the photo was taken on the beach in Santa Barbara.
leary7 said...
I honestly did worry it was rude of me to ask how sales were going Alisa. I am sure that is the least of your concerns. But I am a numbers guy so I am always fascinated by demographics and figures. I really am curious to gauge how much interest in the subject remains amongst the public at large after forty plus years. Sorry if I offended.
Not at all.
Alisa, I didn't see any mention of Bill Nelson in your book. Was he one of the people who's names were changed in the book? Maybe at some point in time we can have a discussion about your meeting Bill?
Also I hope Brie will carry the torch for her Grandmother and Mother when it comes to parole hearings.
If not it is understandable.
Alisa, I didn't see any mention of Bill Nelson in your book. Was he one of the people who's names were changed in the book?
Good, God, no. There was no reason to bring up Nelson or any of his activities in the book.
Hi Alisa. I just got the book and am excited to begin diving in. I'm curious if anyone has ever asked Susan LaBerge point blank why her buddy Tex Watson has not come clean about his part in the Shea murder? If Tex has truly "repented" and become the good soul he professes to be then why does he remain silent on the issue? T
Somebody needs to ask him if saving the parole is more important than saving the soul (yeah, I know that rhymes;-) )
Alissa, Excuse me if my questions are in the book I am not finacial able to order one. Even though I mean NO disrespect in these questions, I still feel the need to ask, and will leave it to my wonderful moderators to decide if it is inapropriate.
1. Did the Tate family beleive in the Helter Skelter motive?
2. Why was mama Tate allowed to go to Leslie's parole hearings, since they were not related or even knew the Labiancas?
3. While living at Cielo, did you ever get any creepy feelings? Like the fireplace vision or Sharon hanging, like some of the other family or close friends reported seeing?
4. Was Sharon really going to divorce Roman or was that another rumour?
5. Have you red Debra's letter response about the book? I think a 5th grader can read it and sense the untruthfulness.
On a personal note, I have read numerous postings on different blogs slamming you for the taking of evidence from that cop. I personally would like to applaud you for it, that was a sincere,unselfish act of careing as far a I am concerned, and I thank you for doing it.
The Surf Bat said: Hi Alisa. I just got the book and am excited to begin diving in. I'm curious if anyone has ever asked Susan LaBerge point blank why her buddy Tex Watson has not come clean about his part in the Shea murder? If Tex has truly "repented" and become the good soul he professes to be then why does he remain silent on the issue? T
Somebody needs to ask him if saving the parole is more important than saving the soul (yeah, I know that rhymes;-) )
Thank you for buying the book!...Not that I'm aware of. The only person that I know of who confronted LaBerge in a public recorded forum is Doris Tate and we talk about that in Restless Souls--had Doris known about O'Shea and Watson's involvement I'm sure that question would have been on the tip of her tongue...But, I do believe at Watson's last parole hearing, the DA brought up that very point in his statement for parole denial.
Janson2112 said...
Alissa, Excuse me if my questions are in the book I am not finacial able to order one. Even though I mean NO disrespect in these questions, I still feel the need to ask, and will leave it to my wonderful moderators to decide if it is inapropriate.
1. Did the Tate family beleive in the Helter Skelter motive?
2. Why was mama Tate allowed to go to Leslie's parole hearings, since they were not related or even knew the Labiancas?
3. While living at Cielo, did you ever get any creepy feelings? Like the fireplace vision or Sharon hanging, like some of the other family or close friends reported seeing?
4. Was Sharon really going to divorce Roman or was that another rumour?
5. Have you red Debra's letter response about the book? I think a 5th grader can read it and sense the untruthfulness.
On a personal note, I have read numerous postings on different blogs slamming you for the taking of evidence from that cop. I personally would like to applaud you for it, that was a sincere,unselfish act of careing as far a I am concerned, and I thank you for doing it.
Thank you for your kind comments.
#1: Neither of Sharon's parents believed in the Helter Skelter motive. Her sister Patti never dwelt on it or learned the details of the motive because the bottom line for her was her sister was dead and that's all that mattered.
#2: Neither Doris Tate nor Patti Tate ever attended Van Houten's parole hearings. Doris did start her petition drive to overcome Van Houten's 900 signatures for release in 1982, but her petition was a blanket drive that covered all of the "Tate/LaBianca" killers.
#3: Cielo was a very peaceful residence. No creepy feelings, no ghosts, no fireplace devils. The scariest thing was what Nine Inch Nails did to the place while they subleased it from me.
#4: We'll never know if Sharon was really going to divorce Roman. What we do know is in a letter from Sharon to Doris that Doris reads in an audio track in the Restless Souls enhanced eBook. There Sharon states that she will give Roman until the Academy Awards to get his act together-- so she was definitely contemplating it.
#5: I have skimmed Debbie Tate's response about the book and addressed (here on this site) some of her most ridiculous comments
I just found this blog last night, and hope that it is not too late to ask a few questions. I very much appreciate Alisa answering questions for us, and hope that these questions in no way offend or seem malicious in any way. I'm just a very curious person...lol
1) I'm kind of confused about the answer to the question as asked by another follower of this blog:
Laurasdeals asks: "In the book Patti talks about taking the rocking chair to Sharon's and being upset that she didnt go and tell Sharon goodbye since Doris said they would be back the next day - I think it said this was the last time Patti ever saw Sharon, but I think she said it was two months beforehand? Was this an error or did I misunderstand the time frame?”
Alisa Statman says: "Neither: Contrary to Noguchi's estimate he made at the time of the autopsy, Sharon's baby was not due until October 22--I have her doctor's paperwork to back this up. Sadly, in the 1st ed of the book, a mistake was made by the copy editor who thought they knew more than me and they put 8.5 months. This will be changed in later additions and may have already been changed in the eBook. I'm fully aware that many times both Patti and Doris said Sharon was 8.5 months pregnant, but like everyone else, they're susceptible to the past falsities sticking in their minds."
A) I'm not sure that it answered the question-as I too am curious as to the last time Patti actually saw Sharon alive. In interviews I've seen, and of Doris in particular, the last time any of them were to see her alive was when they got together to watch the moon landing which was July 16th. Or did I simply misunderstand and this was only PJ's last time to see her alive?
B)And in reference to the answer given to Laurasdeals: Am I correct in understanding that Sharon was only 6.5 months pregnant at the time of her murder? In Restless Souls, pg 32, it states that the doctor estimated that she conceived around Dec 15, and was due late September or early October which would have made her about 8 months at the time of her death. Am I misunderstanding the time line? And also, on the same page it claims that Sharon deliberately tampered with her birth control. May I ask where that information came from?
2) I've heard several mentions in interviews and articles that perhaps Sharon wasn't supposed to be home that night. In one interview I read that one of the murderers insinuated that Sharon wasn't supposed to be there, and in an interview I watched online, Doris herself states that “We all know Sharon wasn't supposed to be there.” My interpretation of these comments is that perhaps the murders were planned ahead of time, and that there may have been someone on the grounds who may have tipped them off that Sharon's car was not there and assumed she was gone (possibly Garretson?), and that Sharon may not have been an intended target. Am I way off on this or are they just eluding to the fact that she often preferred staying at friends homes?
3) Also I find it hard to believe that William Garretson did not hear a peep of what was going on pretty much right on his front doorstep. The guest house is not THAT far away. In an interview online Doris states that she questions Garretson's whereabouts on that night, as one of the murderers states that she went to check the guest house and no one was there. (I realize the murderers are not the most reliable sources of information, but it seemed enough for Doris to question Garretson's actions) And upon his return, if he did indeed leave, how did he not see Parent, Folger, and Frykowsi? And she questioned where the dogs were on that night as well. Did Doris ever expand on what she questioned concerning Garretson? Did she feel he may have been in on the murders as an informant? Is there any link, that anyone was aware of, that Garretson was tied to the Manson Family in any way?
Again, I hope the wording of my questions doesn't come off as trying to discredit you in any way. I'm just seeking to understand. I have no connections to the Tate family or any other person, however, I do believe that it's important for people to remember what happen that night. First of all to make sure that these people stay behind bars. Second, to help people to understand that these were real human beings who lost their lives, and not just some sensational Hollywood story that was cooked up for whatever sick reason. And that Manson should not be seen as some sort of misunderstood “hero.” He's a sick little man who doesn't deserve the attention that he gets.
It breaks my heart, what this family and the other victims families went through. It takes peoples lives, turns them upside down, and changes everything forever.
Hi Alisa,
I loved your book Restless Souls, I also do books on Sharon Tate for other collectors on her. One of the books I do is on the history of the house on Cielo Drive and all of the people that once lived there. I was wondering if you had any photos of you at Cielo Drive that I could use in my book so I could add your picture and story to the book? Please let me know if you would be so kind.
George E. Smith
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