10 Murder Trials That Shocked The World

1. Charles Manson And "Family" (1970-71) - The Conspiracy That Killed Numerous People, Including Actress Sharon Tate

Musician Charles Manson remains incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison - having been found guilty in 1971 of conspiracy to commit the murders of seven people, including actress Sharon Tate, in a court case that shocked America.

Not only did the fact a high-profile actress had been killed draw attention to this case, but also because Manson involved his entire "Family" - a group who followed his teachings at a quasi-commune in the California desert - in the murders and that he admitted a belief that these deaths would bring about the "Helter Skelter". The "Helter Skelter" was something Manson drew inspiration from a Beatles song for, and it was his belief that an impending apocalyptic race war between blacks and whites would occur if he started it with murders.

After establishing his "Family" in the California desert in the late-1960s, Manson set about orchestrating at least seven murders between 1968 and 1970. With a trial beginning on June 15, 1970, Manson was eventually found guilty - alongside his three "Family" members - on 27 separate counts, including via the joint-responsibility rule (which makes each member of a conspiracy guilty of crimes his fellow conspirators commit for the same cause).

Although Manson was originally sentenced to death, a 1972 decision by the Supreme Court of California to temporarily eliminate the state's death penalty meant he was instead given a life sentence. This case captured the public imagination at the time for the reasons already stated, but in the years and months after, some of Manson's song were also released - garnering even greater notoriety for this trial.

Many people became shocked that such a person could ever be allowed to have their music released. Bands such as Guns N' Roses have even covered some of Manson's songs in the years since, to much public outcry.