Nearly two months after his death, Charles Manson’s body reportedly remains in limbo as the legal battle over his estate continues.
Probate Judge David J. Cowan announced Monday that divvying up Manson’s estate and releasing his remains are two separate issues, meaning that the convicted killer’s longtime pen pal and Manson’s grandson will have to wait weeks for a decision, according to The Los Angeles Times.
The Times reported that Alan Davis, an attorney representing Manson’s grandson, Jason Freeman, has until Friday to file a claim for the late inmate’s body in addition to making an argument regarding an appropriate court venue. From there, Michael Channels, Manson’s pen pal for 30 years, will have until January 19 to respond to Davis’ filing.
A judge will reportedly have until January 26 to make a decision.
Manson spent almost 50 years at Corcoran State Prison and died November 19 at Bakersfield Mercy Hospital, located in Kern County, at the age of 83. Reports indicated that the cult leader died of heart failure caused by colon cancer that spread to other parts of his body.
READ More: Five people are fighting to claim Charles Manson’s body in legal ‘circus’: Attorney
Kern County County Counsel’s Office deputy attorney Bryan Walters revealed to The Times in late December that officials were struggling with how to handle jurisdiction, as estate hearings are typically handled in the county that the decedent “domiciled.”
Mason’s case poses multiple obstacles as he lived in Los Angeles before his arrest in Inyo County. Though he died in Kern County, Manson was incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison, in Kings County.
Adding to the confusion is the will, which Channels claimed to have received in the mail months after meeting the notorious prisoner. The well-known memorabilia collector maintained that Manson disowned his family in the will that he received.
“I have two known children son Michael Brunner and sons Charles Manson Jr. I have disinherited both known sons and any unknown children in the present and in the future from my estate,” the purported will reads, according to The Orange County Register. “I am leaving nothing to any such heirs as, relatives, children, ex-wives, in-laws, lawyers, friends, prisoners, inmates, cops, guards, or the state of California.”
Davis recently told People that his client wishes to bury or cremate his grandfather. The attorney also speculated that all parties involved would like to have the matter settled “as quickly as possible.”
“[Kern County], they don’t want to hold him forever,” he said.
[Featured Image: Charles Manson/Corcoran State Prison]
