About Charles

I was born in Dallas, Texas on 12/2/1945. I grew up with my parents, sister and brother in Copeville, a small town of 150 people, 35 miles north of Dallas. I loved my dog Collie, making friends around town and creating new go-carts. "My Love For Cars" was evident from an early age, thoughout my childhood and teenage years. I excelled academically and in sports as a all-American kid, while trying to hide my drinking and gallivanting from my parents while in high school and college.

Because of my insecurity and fear of failure, I ran away to California in August 1967 against my parents wishes. They begged me to stay in Texas, knowing my lack of maturity. My mother flew for the first time in her life to California 5 months later thinking she could convince me to come home. In California, I had already bought a car, rented an apartment, enrolled in college and got a job. I share in "Defining Moments Identified In Life" how I went downhill fast, making one bad choice after the other.

You'll read how I met Manson through Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys and how drugs destroyed my hope in "California Dreamin'." I moved in with Manson and the "family" in the Fall of '68, but by December, I felt I was losing my mind since I was expected to give my life to him. I ran away, lived in Hollywood for 3 months with a girlfriend, but returned in March '69, when I was drawn in and enticed with the Helter Skelter radical philosophy. I was lacking knowledge and a sound belief system, while starving for love and acceptance.

In my book "Will You Die For Me?" [1978], you'll read how I was programmed with Manson's beliefs through a misinterpretation of The Beatles' music, along with his indoctrination against society, even killing to start his war in what I call "Cult Madness". In a delusional state while on drugs, I made the choice to carry out his orders over a 48 hour period, leaving 7 dead at my hands, which I so deeply regret. I share my reflections in "Dead Man Walkin'" on how I ended up on death row in San Quentin in 1971. [Also see, Monthly View, August 2024].

The death penalty was overturned 9 months later in '72. I was sent to the California Men's Colony, San Luis Obispo, which was like moving to a resort. I received Christ there at a revival meeting on May 23, 1975, and immediately felt "Ten Times Higher" than ever on drugs. After my testimony book "Will You Die For Me?" came out in '78, I got married in '79 [not to the chaplain's daughter as rumored], but to a gal who read my book, got saved and started Abounding Love Ministries, Inc. with me and began a family in '82. "The Miracle Of Forgiveness" happened in '87, when the daughter of one of the victims forgave me for killing her mother. Unbelievable!

I was transferred to Mule Creek State Prison in Ione in '93. This website was created in '97, and though my wife divorced me in 2003, I continued strong in ministry with the help of family and friends. In 2004, I wrote "Charles Watson Speaks Out!" and "Christianity For Fools" in 2005. Finally, I finished college in 2009 by getting my B.S. in Business Management. All of my accolades can be seen under "Life Learning". Because of notoriety, I am often under threat. In 2013, I was stabbed 13 times on the tier by a man, who was trying to make a name for himself [praise God , I made a full recovery]. In 2017, I was transferred to Richard J. Donavon Correctional Facility in San Diego, where I remain. In 2023, my friends and I were led to start the "Abounding Love" podcast from messages that were recorded while at California Men's Colony. Don't forget to check out the "Monthly View", subscribe and share. Truly, I have come "From Tragedy Unto Triumph!"