AP
This combo of photographs shows how Charles Manson has looked over the years from 1969 up to the most recently released photo in 2011.
The man in the image has long gray hair and beard crowding in on his face, but the eyes and the swastika-tattooed forehead are unmistakable: Charles Manson, mastermind of a notorious killing spree that gripped America in the summer of 1969.
The California Department of Corrections released two new photos of the convicted murderer on Thursday in advance of his latest parole hearing.
"He looks a lot different," department of corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton told CNN, which had requested the images. The last images of Manson showed him with a buzz cut.
Manson is trying for parole for the 12th time, the Orange County Register reported. An appearance at the hearing on Wednesday isn’t expected, the newspaper said – Manson last showed up for one 15 years ago.
On two nights in 1969, Manson and members of his notorious “family” murdered seven people at random. He and four followers are serving prison sentences in the case.
On August 9, 1969, Charles "Tex" Watson and three female accomplices, acting at Manson’s direction, murdered actress Sharon Tate, the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski, and four guests at Tate's house. Polanski was not home. The following night, Manson, Watson and their accomplices killed Leno and Rosemary LaBianca at their Los Angeles home. Watson remains in prison , as do accomplices Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten. Susan Atkins died in prison in 2009.
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