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Thank you and enjoy the show. November 27th, 1970. Ventura County, California.

While representing Les Levan Howton during the Manson family trial, 35-year-old attorney

Ronald Hughes leaves to go on a camping trip. He never returns and his decomposed body is found

wedged between two boulders in a gorge four months later. While the actual cause of death could

not be determined, Charles Manson had allegedly threatened Hughes, leading to speculation that

he was an unconfirmed murder victim of the Manson family. After that, the trail went cold.

The first time I believe it's very clear that Mr. Manson always has been denied

counsel of his choice in this matter. Back in December, he was asking to have Mr. McKissick and

Mr. Steinberg as his attorneys of record. And I would help possibly try and get them involved

in this case, possibly even to substitute out and have them substitute in. Is this your first case

that you'll be trying? Yeah, this is would be the first case that I've ever tried. How long have you

been an attorney? Just since last June. Are you going to go ahead with the psychiatric examination?

Now we withdrawn the psychiatric examination. I've seen Mr. Manson and county jail for

probably more than any other attorneys 70-80 times. And it's certainly my feeling that Mr.

Manson is saying there's no question about his sanity. Happy New Year everyone and welcome to

the first trail went cold episode of 2018. I'm your host Robin Warder and that sound clip you

just heard was an interview with a defensive attorney named Ronald Hughes who will be the subject

of today's episode. And yes, you heard him right. At the time, he was representing none other than

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