Judge Rules Charles Manson's Grandson Is Entitled To The Cult Leader's Remains

It’s taken a few months, but a judge finally decided who is entitled to the Charles Manson’s human remains.

Kern County Commissioner Alisa Knight ruled that Jason Freeman, who claims to be Manson’s grandson, should get what’s left of the infamous cult leader on Monday, according to KGET in Bakersfield.

Since Manson died from colon cancer in November, his remains have been held on ice at the Kern County Coroner’s office, and three men have been suing to get ownership over his body.

In addition to Freeman, Matt Lentz and Michael Channels have also been fighting for the corpse. Lentz claims to be Manson’s son and Channels said he was a long-time penpal of the convicted killer.

The judge dismissed Lentz' claim citing a lack of proof of his relationship to Manson and Channels was rejected because he didn't comply with court rules, NBC News reported. Freeman's claim to the corpse, meanwhile, was confirmed by “next of kin research.”

Previously, a judge ruled that Freeman didn’t have the right to Manson’s corpse.

“I'm here to claim my grandfather, have him cremated, spread his ashes and do the right thing," Freeman told news outlets outside of court after that ruling in January. “What do I feel for Charles Manson? I'm gonna take it as one thing from my heart. And say that I love my grandfather. Everybody makes mistakes. He did his time. If a grandson can't say that he loves his grandfather then our world is a little messed up.”

Manson was imprisoned for conspiring with his cult followers to commit seven murders in the summer of 1969, including the killing of the pregnant actress Sharon Tate—all of which were realized by other members of the so-called Manson Family over the course of two nights. Manson’s hope was that the murders would start an apocalyptic race war based on an unusual interpretation of the Beatles’ song “Helter Skelter.”

[Photo: California Department of Corrections]