National Post (National Edition)
FIGHT OVER MANSON ESTATE, INCLUDING SONGS HE WROTE.
The fight over the body and possessions of apocalyptic cult leader Charles Manson has narrowed to a pen pal and a purported grandson with the two camps competing over an estate that could cash in on songs he wrote that were used by The Beach Boys and Guns N’ Roses.
A judge will have to sort out the conflicting claims on Manson’s estate that includes commercial rights to his name, image and mementos that can fetch thousands of dollars from “murderabilia” collectors.
“We think Manson’s worth more than anyone realizes,” said Mike Smith, a music agent for a man who claims Manson fathered him during an orgy. “There’s a lot of money there.”
Andy Kahan, who fights against the sale of “murderabilia,” said there was a lot of money to be made off Manson.
“Capitalism at its worst,” he told The New York Times. One website was selling a voodoo doll made by Manson for US$4,000; a necklace he signed was listed at US$10,000; his “prison owned” dentures — which Kahan conceded were “one of a kind!” — required US$100,000.
“Manson is still the king of murderabilia,” Kahan told The Times. “They’ve been making money off him for years, and now the opportunity to make a lot more is available.”
At one point the battle over the estate threatened to become a circus with a number of contenders.
A purported grandson, Jason Freeman, claims to be the rightful next of kin. Court documents show Freeman is the son of the late Charles Manson Jr. and the grandson of Charles Manson and his first wife, Rosalie Willis.
Bu that lineage is disputed by Matt Lentz, a Los Angeles-area musician who goes by the name Matthew Roberts. Lentz was adopted by an Illinois couple as a newborn.
Lentz claims that Manson purportedly signed a will in January 2017 which he gave to friend and memorabilia collector Ben Gurecki. It names Gurecki as executor and Lentz as beneficiary.
If valid, it could supersede a 2002 will filed in Kern County by longtime Manson pen pal Michael Channels that disinherits Manson’s natural born children and names him as executor and heir.
Lentz has said he wants a DNA test of Manson’s remains, which are still being held by the Kern County sheriff-coroner, to prove he is kin and Freeman is not.
JoAnne Lentz is among those who think her adopted son looks like Manson and has other similarities. “Matthew’s got long dark hair and he’s a musician,” she said. “Have you seen a picture of my Matthew? They look alike, but as far as any DNA (test), I don’t know.”
Matthew Lentz himself questions whether the will he possesses is valid.
“It looks pretty generic, like they got it off the internet or something,” he said. “It didn’t have the three witnesses that California requires, it only had one.”
On Monday, Lentz failed to show up for a hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court, appearing to leave the fight to Freeman, 41, and Channels, 52.
But Judge David Cowan put the hearing off until later this month because the first argument is where to hear the case.
The judge will have to decide whether the case should be tried in Los Angeles County — where Manson lived before his crimes; in Kings County — where he was imprisoned before his death, or in Kern County where he died.
Only later will the battle over the estate be heard.
Manson also had a reputed son with Mary Brunner, an early member of his cult. Michael Brunner had no connection with Manson growing up and has severed ties and made no apparent claim to the estate. He did not return messages seeking comment.
The will filed by Channels purportedly disinherits both Brunner and Charles Manson Jr., who killed himself in 1993 after siring Jason Freeman.
Celebrity probate attorney Adam Streisand, who is not involved in the case, said any royalties might instead go to relatives of Manson’s victims, though their claims may have lapsed over the years.
Royalties from Guns N’ Roses 1993 recording of a Manson song, “Look at Your Game, Girl,” went to the son of one of his victims under a court order, Streisand said. Manson was also an acquaintance of Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson in 1968, and the band recorded a variation of a Manson song under the title “Never Learn Not To Love.”
Whomever controls the estate would be able to use Manson’s image and have the power to authorize biographies or documentaries.
Freeman refused to say what he would do if he wins the court fight, other than to have the body cremated. He’s saving further details for a documentary he’s been filming since last year.
His bid is backed by Manson associate John Michael Jones, who said Manson refused to leave a will. Jones dismissed other claims to Manson’s body or possessions as frauds.
“They’re just looking for 15 minutes of fame,” he said.
Freeman said he’s waiting for a judge to sort it all out.
“I’m a former professional fighter,” Freeman said. “I look at this like we’re going into the 7 th round of a 12-round fight. We’re looking for the knockout punch.”