The former Manson family member was in 34 years. Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme was convicted in 1975 of attempting to shoot Gerald Ford. She pointed a gun at him, but was stopped by the Secret Service. (There wasn’t a bullet in the chamber, by the way.) She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole but got off on good behavior and (we’re guessing) overcrowding. source
The murders were probably the most bizarre and far-out in the recorded annals of American time. People are fascinated by the strange and the bizarre.
Vincent Bugliosi • The prosecutor of Charles Manson and members of his “family,” on why the murders continue to hold such a prominent place in popular culture. 40 years ago, Manson attempted to fire the opening shot in what he saw as an apocalyptic race war, convincing his family to go to the home of director Roman Polanski, where they killed actress Sharon Tate (who was pregnant) and six others. Despite the problems that California’s legal system is facing, they’re still in jail – the crimes were that insane. • source