Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties

Tom O’Neill recounts a tense meeting with Vincent Bugliosi, the famed prosecutor of Charles Manson and author of Helter Skelter. O’Neill, who has been investigating the Manson murders for several years, visits Bugliosi’s home in Pasadena in 2006 to confront him about discrepancies and potential misconduct in the trial. Bugliosi, known for his courtroom charisma, is immediately defensive, threatening O’Neill with a massive libel lawsuit if his reporting tarnishes his reputation. For over six hours, Bugliosi dominates the conversation, delivering a long “opening statement” defending his actions and refusing to admit any wrongdoing. O’Neill reveals that despite the prosecutor’s efforts to stonewall him, he had uncovered documents that suggest Bugliosi’s lead witness lied under oath, raising serious questions about the integrity of the trial.

The prologue reflects the toll that O’Neill’s investigation has taken on him, including threats from various sources, including Manson himself, and strained relationships with friends and family. Bugliosi’s intimidation tactics, including threats of financial ruin, highlight the high stakes of O’Neill’s investigation. Despite Bugliosi’s stonewalling, O’Neill remains determined to expose inconsistencies and larger issues of corruption surrounding the case, hinting at a broader conspiracy involving law enforcement and other powerful entities.