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It has been more than five decades since the murder of Sharon Tate and four others at the Los Angeles home of Tate and her husband, director Roman Polanski. The murders led to the arrest and trial of Charles Manson along with his followers who physically committed the crimes. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Polanski and Tate at their wedding in January 1968. Tate was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. Evening Standard/Getty Images
Writer Wojciech Frykowski, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring and Steven Parent, a friend of the family's gardener, were also killed. Popperfoto/Getty Images
The victims were stabbed, shot and beaten to death. STAFF/AFP/Getty ImageS
Polanski, who was out of town at the time of the murders, is seen on the porch outside his home. The remnants of the word "pig" can be seen where it was scrawled on the door. Julian Wasser/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
On the night of August 10, three of Manson's followers killed supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, at their home (pictured). This time Manson accompanied his followers to select the victims, but he did not take part in the killings. AP
Manson and his followers were arrested at this remote location, called Barker Ranch, on suspicion of auto theft. Police did not immediately connect them to the murders. Vernon Merritt III/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A break in the case came when Susan Atkins, already in jail, told a fellow inmate about the Tate murders. "Because we wanted to do a crime that would shock the world, that the world would have to stand up and take notice," she said. Ralph Crane/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Manson, along with five followers, was indicted for the murders on December 8, 1969. Hulton Archive/Getty Images
From left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten walk to court to appear for their roles in the murders. George Brich/AP
Manson is escorted to his arraignment on conspiracy-murder charges. AP
Manson appears with an "X" cut into his forehead as the trial starts on June 16, 1970. It was said to symbolize being crossed out of society. He later altered the scar to become a swastika. Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
After a seven-month trial, all the defendants were found guilty on January 25, 1971. Atkins, Krenwinkel and Van Houten received the death penalty. AP
Manson, head shaved and beardless, is led his sentencing hearing on March 29, 1971. He received the death penalty as well. AFP/Getty Images
Charles "Tex" Watson was tried separately after fleeing to Texas and fighting extradition to California. He was convicted and also sentenced to death in 1971. All the sentences were commuted to life in prison when California abolished the death penalty in 1972. AP
Manson is seen in court during a parole hearing in 1986. He was denied for the sixth time. AP
Manson was denied parole for the 12th time on April 12, 2012. He died in 2017 at the age of 83. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
