17 Mar Charles Manson’s Helter-skelter Probate Estate War Continues
Will the battle over Charles Manson’s $1 million estate last longer than the time Manson spent in prison (Manson actually spent 47 years in jail until his death in 2017)? The court case has been ongoing for over 7 years.
On February 21, 2025, a trial setting conference and hearing was scheduled to determine whether Daniel Arguelles is a son of the mass murderer, Charles Manson. The hearing is a preliminary bout to the main battle (to be held at a later date) as to whether Manson left a valid will leaving his estate (consisting of the rights to his music and songs in addition to his art and personal property) to murderobilia collector and pen pal, Michael Channels. If the will is not valid, then the notorious killer’s estate heirs at law – under laws of intestate succession would be entitled to the estate. Arguelles claims he is Manson’s biological son as a result of a one-night stand of Manson with his mother in 1959.
The case began when Jason Freeman, who claims to be Manson’s grandson, contested the application to probate Manson’s will submittred by Channels. Freeman claimed he was the son of Charles Manson, Jr. (who later changed his name and who predeceased his infamous father). Channels made a motion that Freeman take a DNA test, but a California appeals court decided he did not have to do so. Freeman supported his claim to be the grandson as a result of an Ohio divorce court ruling that required Charles Manson, Jr. to pay child support to Freeman’s mother. In August 2022, the court determined (based on the Ohio divorce court decision and Freeman’s birth certificate that indicated Charles Manson, Jr. was the father) that Freeman was the grandson of Manson. Arguelles then petitioned the court arguing he is entitled to an equal share of the estate as a biological son.
Channels visited Manson in prison in the 1990s and then became pen pals with Manson. After a 2002 prison visit, Channels claims Manson wrote a will leaving everything to him. The will also stated “I have disinherited both known sons and any unknown children in the present and in the future”.
Freeman has argued that the will was a result to undue influence by Channels. Arguelles claims the will was forged and accused Channels of witnessing the will (which is permitted under California law but not under Texas law) with his own signature 2 days before Manson signed the will.
Probably the most valuable asset of Manson’s estate were the royalties to his songs including “Look at Your Game, Girl” recorded by Guns ‘n’ Roses. Marilyn Manson and the Beach Boys also recorded songs written by Manson. Most are probably surprised that Manson’s estate had any value, but many like to collect items that are “murderobilia”.
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