William Garretson Testimony

State of California v. Charles Manson; Los Angeles, California, July 26, 1970

On July 26, 1970, William Garretson, called as a witness by and on behalf of the People of the State of California v. Charles Manson.

William Garretson, called as a witness by and on behalf of the People, was examined and testified as follows:

Direct Examination by Mr. Bugliosi:

QUESTION: Where do you presently reside, Mr. Garretson?

ANSWER: In Lancaster, Ohio.

QUESTION: You just flew out here for the trial?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Are you married, sir?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: When did you get married?

ANSWER: July 4th.

QUESTION: Of this year?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Have you ever lived at the address, 10050 Cielo Drive in the City of Los Angeles?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: During what period of time did you live at that address?

ANSWER: In mid-March until the incident occurred.

QUESTION: You say mid-March, you mean mid-March, 1969?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Until when, sir?

ANSWER: Until in August.

QUESTION: Do you know the date in August?

ANSWER: August 9th.

QUESTION: Can you see the diagram, People’s 8, from where you are seated, sir?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Does this appear to be where you lived on the premises?

ANSWER: Where?

QUESTION: Is this called the guest house?

ANSWER: Yes, it is.

MR. BUGLIOSI: May I mark this “guest house”, Your Honor?

THE COURT: You may.

QUESTION: Were you employed on the premises?

ANSWER: Yes, I was.

QUESTION: By whom were you employed?

ANSWER: By Mr. Altobelli.

QUESTION: Rudi Altobelli?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did he own the premises as far as you know?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What were your duties out there on the premises?

ANSWER: To take care of 3 dogs.

QUESTION: Were these Mr. Altobelli’s dogs?

ANSWER: Yes, they were.

QUESTION: What kind of dogs were they?

ANSWER: A Weimaraner and 2 poodles.

QUESTION: In addition to caring for Mr. Altobelli’s dogs, did you have any other duties?

ANSWER: No, I did not.

QUESTION: Did anyone live with you in the guest house?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You lived there by yourself?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Do you remember the day, August 8th, 1969, a Friday?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Do you recall what you did that day?

ANSWER: Yes, I do.

QUESTION: Would you please relate the chronology of what happened that day?

ANSWER: Well, I usually get up around 1:00 pm in the afternoon –

MR. FITZGERALD: Objection, Your Honor, the answer is non-responsive. We are not interested in what the witness usually did.

THE COURT: Sustained.

QUESTION: Do you believe you arose around 1:00 pm on that date, sir?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Do you recall what you did that afternoon?

ANSWER: I think I was laying out in the sun, I’m not sure. I went down – I’m not sure – I usually do different things every day.

QUESTION: You don’t particularly recall this particular afternoon, is that right?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Do you recall what you did that evening, August 8, 1969, a Friday?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What did you do that evening?

ANSWER: Around 8:00 pm, I went down to Sunset Boulevard.

QUESTION: How did you get there?

ANSWER: Hitchhiked.

QUESTION: All right, what happened when you got down to Sunset Boulevard?

ANSWER: I purchased a TV dinner and some cigarettes and some Pepsi-Cola.

QUESTION: You will have to talk up, Mr. Garretson.

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What happened after you made those purchases?

ANSWER: I decided to go back to the guest cottage where I lived.

QUESTION: How did you get back?

ANSWER: Hitchhiked.

QUESTION: About what time did you arrive?

ANSWER: Around 10:00 pm.

QUESTION: When you returned at approximately 10:00 pm, did you see anyone about the premises?

ANSWER: No, sir, I did not.

QUESTION: How did you enter the premises at 10:00 pm, through the gate here as depicted in the diagram?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: How did you open the gate?

ANSWER: You had to push a button right before you get to the gate, it would be on the left side.

QUESTION: Is the button near the telephone pole where I am pointing now?

ANSWER: Yes, yes.

QUESTION: And this would activate the gate and open it, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: How long would the gate stay open? Would you have to close it or would it automatically close?

ANSWER: No, I would say about 15 to 20 seconds, something like that.

QUESTION: When you arrived back at the premises did you notice any telephone wires on top of the gate or on the ground or anything like that?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did everything seem to be in order?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: How did you get from the gate to the guest house, what route did you take?

ANSWER: I would have to come through the parking lot.

QUESTION: This area right here?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: All right.

ANSWER: And then I would have to – it is more to the right.

QUESTION: Down here?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: I notice there is a little walk right here?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: is this the walk that you took back to the guest house?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: In other words, you did not cross over the lawn area in front of the Polanski residence?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did you hear any noise coming from inside the Polanski residence as you walked to the guest house?

ANSWER: No, I did not.

QUESTION: Did you pay any particular attention to whether there was noise or not?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You were not concerned?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Do you recall if there were any lights inside the Polanskis’ residence?

ANSWER: No, I don’t.

QUESTION: As you walked by?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Again, did you pay any particular attention to that?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did you see any cars parked in the driveway?

ANSWER: Yes, I seen Miss Folger’s Firebird.

QUESTION: What color was that?

ANSWER: Yellow with a black vinyl top.

MR. BUGLIOSI: Your Honor, I have here a photograph of 3 cars. May it be marked People’s next in order?

THE CLERK: 16, Your Honor.

THE COURT: It will be so marked.

MR. BUGLIOSI: People’s 16 for identification.

THE COURT: Yes.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 16 for identification, do you see Miss Folger’s car depicted in that photograph?

ANSWER: Yes, right here.

QUESTION: The yellow one?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Now, you notice there appears to be a black Porsche parked to the left of that Firebird, do you know who owned that?

ANSWER: Yes, Mr. Sebring owned that car.

QUESTION: You knew Jay Sebring?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Had you ever seen him before?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Had you seen him on the premises?

ANSWER: From a distance maybe, but that would be all.

QUESTION: You had seen him on or about the premises?

ANSWER: No, not – oh, from a distance, you know. I mean, the Porsche was out there, you know, usually sometimes at night, you know, and sometimes in the afternoon. I did not know who
he was or anything.

QUESTION: Directing your attention to People’s 2 for identification, do you know who is shown in this photograph?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Who is that?

ANSWER: Jay Sebring.

QUESTION: This is the person that you saw from a distance on the premises?

ANSWER: I couldn’t say.

QUESTION: Does he appear to resemble this man?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you have any visitors that night in your guest house?

ANSWER: Yes I did.

QUESTION: Who was that?

ANSWER: Steven Parent.

QUESTION: About what time did Mr. Parent arrive?

ANSWER: Around 11:45.

QUESTION: P.M?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Just before midnight?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did he arrive by himself?

ANSWER: Yes, he did.

QUESTION: Did you invite him?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: He came unannounced?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Had you known Mr. Parent prior to this occasion?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Would you briefly explain your acquaintanceship with him?

ANSWER: Well, 2 weeks before the incident happened, he gave me a ride up Sunset to the house where I lived.

QUESTION: In other words, you were hitchhiking?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And he picked you up and drove you home; is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: This is the only other time that you had seen him prior to this evening?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 5 for identification, a photograph of a young boy and girl?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Who is that?

ANSWER: Steve Parent.

QUESTION: What was the nature of Mr. Parent’s visit to you?

ANSWER: He brought a radio with him, a clock radio, and he wanted to know if I would like to buy theone that he had, buy it or one that he could get, you know. He worked in an appliance place or something that dealt with radios and stereos.

QUESTION: Did you buy the radio from him?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: I take it that he eventually left your guest house?

ANSWER: Yes. He made a phone call, though, before he left.

QUESTION: About what time did he make a phone call?

ANSWER: About 12:00 am.

QUESTION: Do you know whom he called?

ANSWER: No. A friend down on Santa Monica Boulevard.

QUESTION: Did he take the radio with him when he left?

ANSWER: Yes.

MR. BUGLIOSI: Your Honor, I have here another photograph of the interior of a car. May it be marked as People’s 17 for identification?

THE COURT: It will be so marked.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 17 for identification, Mr. Garretson, and draw your attention to the passenger’s side of the car. There appears to be an object there on the seat. Do you recog-
nize what that object is?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What is it?

ANSWER: I think it is a clock radio that he had brought with him.

QUESTION: Does it appear to resemble the radio –

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: – that Mr. Parent tried to sell you?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: How long did Mr. Parent stay?

ANSWER: A half an hour.

QUESTION: He left about 15 minutes after midnight; is that what you are saying?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: That would be, then, early Saturday morning, then, August 9th, 1969, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What did you do after Mr. Parent left?

ANSWER: I wrote a few letters and listened to the stereo.

QUESTION: Ok. Did you eventually fall asleep?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did you fall asleep at all?

ANSWER: No. I was going to make a phone call just before dawn.

QUESTION: Did you make the phone call?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Why not?

ANSWER: The line was dead. I mean, not the line, the phone was dead.

QUESTION: When Mr. Parent made this phone call, did you hear him talking to anyone on the other end of the line?

ANSWER: I couldn’t hear the other people, no.

QUESTION: Did you hear Mr. Parent talking?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did he appear to be carrying on a conversation?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: When you called around dawn, you say the line was dead, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did this frighten you at all?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you do anything about it?

ANSWER: No. I figured because I had trouble with the phone – I had trouble with the phone about a month prior.

MR. SHINN: Move to strike the last portion of his answer as not responsive.

THE COURT: The motion is granted. The answer is stricken.

QUESTION: Did you fall asleep around dawn at all?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: But throughout the night you were awake?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Listening to your stereo?

ANSWER: Yes, and writing letters.

QUESTION: Did you hear any gunshots during the night?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did you hear any loud screams during the night?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did you hear any loud noises of any kind whatsoever?

ANSWER: No, I didn’t.

QUESTION: How loud were you playing your stereo?

ANSWER: It was about medium. Something like that. It wasn’t very loud, you know. It was just enough so that I could hear it.

QUESTION: Well, if you were in another room of your guest house, could you have heard it?

ANSWER: Faintly.

QUESTION: You had it on about medium, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Do you have a volume control on that stereo?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Is there a #4 on the volume control?

ANSWER: Yes, there is.
QUESTION: Do you recall whether it was on #4 during the night?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: It may have been?

ANSWER: It may have been, yes.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I have here another photograph, Your Honor, showing a portion of a residence. May it be marked People’s 18 for identification?

THE COURT: It will so be marked.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I have here a closer-up photograph showing the front side of the residence. May it be marked People’s 19 for identification?

THE COURT: It will be so marked.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I have here another photograph showing the front side of the residence. May it be marked People’s 20 for identification?

THE COURT: It will so be marked.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I have here another photograph, Your Honor, showing the interior of what appears to be a living room of a residence. May it be marked People’s 21 for identification?

THE COURT: It will so be marked.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I have here another photograph appearing to depict the same interior portion of the living room. May it be marked People’s 22 for identification?

THE COURT: It will so be marked.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I have here another photograph, Your Honor, again depicting a certain portion of the living room of the residence. May it be marked People’s 23 for identification?

THE COURT: It will so be marked.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 18 for identification, Mr. Garretson. Do you know what is shown in that photograph?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What is shown in that photograph?

ANSWER: It is a walk just before you get to the guest house.

QUESTION: Looking at the photograph, do you have any impression as to where the photograph was taken from?

ANSWER: Somewhere by the pool.

QUESTION: By the pool of the Polanski residence?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Facing the guest house?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: So this shows a portion of the guest house, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes, it does.

QUESTION: This is where you stayed?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 19 for identification. Do you know what is shown in that photograph?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What is shown in that photograph?

ANSWER: The guest cottage.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 20 for identification. Do you know what is depicted in that photo?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What is shown here?

ANSWER: The porch of the guest cottage.

QUESTION: Try to speak up a little more loudly, sir. I show you People’s 21 for identification. Do you know what is shown in that photograph?

ANSWER: Yes. That is the living room in the guest cottage.

QUESTION: Now, when you were up during the night listening to the stereo and writing letters, were you in the living room?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Throughout the night?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: There appears to be a stereo in the far left corner of this photograph. Is that the stereo about which you were referring earlier in your testimony?

ANSWER: Yes, it is.

QUESTION: I see a couch with a white sheet over it. Were you on the couch at all during the night that you have been testifying about?

ANSWER: Yes, I was. That is where I stayed the night.

QUESTION: When the stereo was on, were you on the couch?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Approximately how far is the couch from the door?

ANSWER: Six feet.

QUESTION: About 6 feet?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 22 for identification. Do you know what is shown in that photograph?

ANSWER: Yes. The living room in the guest cottage.

QUESTION: Another photograph of the living room, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: I show you People’s 23 for identification. Do you know what is shown in that photograph?

ANSWER: Yes. It is another picture of the living room.

QUESTION: Will you please step down from the witness stand, sir, just temporarily, and indicate where in the living room the stereo was.

The witness steps down and approaches the diagram.

ANSWER: Right here.

MR. BUGLIOSI: Your Honor, may I put an X there and mark it “stereo?”

THE COURT: Yes.

QUESTION: Would you indicate, sir, on the diagram where the couch was in relation to that stereo?

ANSWER: Right here.

MR. BUGLIOSI: May I put another X and mark it “couch,” Your Honor?

THE COURT: Yes.

MR. BUGLIOSI: You may resume the witness stand, sir.

Whereupon the witness resumes the witness stand.

QUESTION: These 3 dogs that you took care of for Mr. Altobelli, where were they that night?

ANSWER: They were staying with me in the living room.

QUESTION: Did they leave the house at all during the night or did they stay with you the entire night?

ANSWER: Yes. I had the back door open on the patio by the stereo.

QUESTION: Did they leave during the night or did they stay with you inside the living room?

ANSWER: Well, the Weimaraner left. The larger dog.

QUESTION: About what time – I can’t pronounce the name myself – what time did that dog leave?

ANSWER: I couldn’t say.

QUESTION: Was it shortly after Mr. Parent left?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Later on in the early morning hours?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did he come back?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: He wasn’t gone long?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: The other two dogs stayed inside the living room?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did the dogs bark at all during the night?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did they bark any more than usual that night?

ANSWER: They usually did bark, you know, during the night. It was nothing, you know, to be alarmed about nothing or anything.

QUESTION: You didn’t find them to be barking any more night?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: At least not to alarm you?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did they appear to bark at all shortly after Steven Parent left the guest house, if you recall?

ANSWER: I can’t recall.

QUESTION: Did they bark when Mr. Parent arrived that night?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: At about 11:45 pm?

ANSWER: Yes, they did.

QUESTION: Would they normally bark when you had a visitor?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: If you recall, when would they normally commence their barking? How far would the visitor be from the guest house when they started to bark?

ANSWER: They would start to barking – well, it would take about 6 seconds before the visitor would come to the door.

QUESTION: In other words, there would be an interlude of about 6 seconds between the time you heard the dogs bark and the time that the person knocked on your door, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did the dogs ever bark when the visitor was entering the gate of the Tate residence?

ANSWER: I really couldn’t say.

QUESTION: All you can say is that they normally barked about 6 seconds before the visitor arrived, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: I take it, sir, you were arrested Saturday morning for these murders, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Were you sleeping at the time that the police arrived or had you already awakened?

ANSWER: Yes, I was sleeping.

QUESTION: What woke you up, the police or the dogs?

ANSWER: No, the dogs.

QUESTION: About what time was it?

ANSWER: 10:30, 11:00 o’clock. Somewhere around there.

QUESTION: In the morning?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: How long were you in custody?

ANSWER: Two days.

QUESTION: And then you were released from custody?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you know anything at all about these murders?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: After you were released from custody, what did you do?

ANSWER: A week after that I returned to Ohio, my hometown.

QUESTION: And you have been there ever since?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Do you know any of the defendants in this case, Defendants Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Have you ever seen them prior to today?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Have you ever met anyone who said that they knew either one of these defendants?

MR. KANAREK: I object on the grounds of hearsay, Your Honor.

THE COURT: Sustained.

QUESTION: Had you ever heard of Spahn Movie Ranch?

ANSWER: No.

MR. KANAREK: Object, Your Honor, on the grounds that it is leading and suggestive.

THE COURT: Overruled.

QUESTION: You have heard of the Spahn Movie Ranch or you haven’t heard of the Spahn Movie Ranch?

ANSWER: I haven’t.

MR. KANAREK: It is immaterial. I suppose a lot of people have. He has no connection with these proceedings. He says he doesn’t know the defendants. It does nothing but clutter up the record and make the case perhaps longer than 6 months.

THE COURT: Overruled.

QUESTION: I forget sir, what your answer was?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You have never been to Spahn Movie Ranch?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: And after you testify in this case, you intend to return to Lancaster, sir?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And your wife?

ANSWER: Yes.

MR. BUGLIOSI: No further questions, Your Honor.

THE COURT: Cross-examination, Mr. Fitzgerald?

MR. FITZGERALD: Thank you, Your Honor.

Cross – Examination by Mr. Fitzgerald

QUESTION: Mr. Garretson, do you recall having a conversation with officers of the Los Angeles Police Department on or about August the 10th, 1969, at Parker Center, which is located at 150
North Los Angeles Street in the City of Los Angeles?

ANSWER: Yes.

MR. BUGLIOSI: Object, Your Honor, this is beyond the scope of the direct examination.

THE COURT: Well, I think it may be a good objection, but it is premature. Overruled.

QUESTION: In the presence of Lieutenant A.H. Burdick?

ANSWER: I cannot recall the officer’s name or anything, that I spoke with.

QUESTION: Well, let’s take it step by step. You were arrested, correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Was that Saturday, August 9th, 1969.

ANSWER: Yes, it was.

QUESTION: The next day was a Sunday, August 10th, isn’t that right?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: When you were originally arrested you were taken to the West Los Angeles Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, were you not?

ANSWER: Yes, I was.

QUESTION: And you were questioned at that time, were you not?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And you were then transported later that afternoon, Saturday afternoon, downtown to the main Los Angeles Police Department, correct?

ANSWER: Yes, in the evening.

QUESTION: Commonly referred to as the Glass House, are you familiar with that term?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: The next afternoon at approximately 4:25 in the afternoon, did you have a conversation with some police officers? That is a question that can be answered yes or no.

ANSWER: You mean when I was released?

QUESTION: All right, when were you released?

ANSWER: Monday afternoon.

QUESTION: What about the day before, Sunday afternoon at 4:25 in the afternoon?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you have a conversation with some police officers?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And your attorney, Barry Tarlow, was present?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Were you asked about dogs barking at that time, if you recall?

MR. BUGLIOSI: I object, Your Honor, on two grounds, it calls for hearsay and it is beyond the scope of the direct examination.

THE COURT: Overruled, you may answer that.

ANSWER: I forgot the question.

THE COURT: Read the question.

(Whereupon, the reporter reads the pending question as follows:

QUESTION: Were you asked about dogs barking at that time, if you recall?)

ANSWER: I cannot recall.

QUESTION: Police officers asked you about what you had heard or seen on Friday night and Saturday morning, August 8th and 9th?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Didn’t they?

ANSWER: Yes, yes.

MR. BUGLIOSI: May we approach the bench, Your Honor?

THE COURT: Yes.

(The following proceeding were had at the bench out of the hearing of the jury:)

MR. FITZGERALD: By way of an offer of proof I am in possession of what purports to be a transcript of an interview with Mr. Garretson at 4:25 pm, on August 10th, 1969, where this witness was asked about the events that took place on August 8th and 9th. He stated in connection with questions about dogs barking that: “It was about 2 or 3 hours after he left,” referring to Steven Parent, “somewhere around there, that is when I looked out in the yard. There is a cement platform where you walk into the guest house.” I submit to the Court that that impeaches his direct testimony and would seem to establish that the dogs – he seemed on his direct examination to be unclear as to when he heard certain dogs barking. The importance of the dogs barking is that they may signal or herald the arrival on the scene of the persons who perpetrated the events. Mr. Bugliosi suggested I approach the bench before I ask the impeaching question.

MR. BUGLIOSI: The reason I did not think it was impeaching is the witness said they did bark that night. He said they barked but nothing out of the ordinary.

THE COURT: What part do you claim impeaches him?

MR. FITZGERALD: That it was 2 or 3 hours after Parent left that he heard the dogs barking.

MR. BUGLIOSI: How does that impeach him?

THE COURT: I don’t find anything inconsistent. I think you have the right to go into it if there is any possibility of impeaching. This is cross-examination. You can ask him if he said that, and let the jury decide whether it impeaches him or not.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I would request this, Your Honor, instead of his posture being that of impeachment. I would request –

THE COURT: He is not going to use the word “impeachment”; he is going to ask him if he said it.

MR. BUGLIOSI: I would request as a foundational question that you ask him again for clarification if the dog barked that night.

MR. FITZGERALD: Very well.

MR. BUGLIOSI: Okay.

MR. FITZGERALD: Certainly I will do that.

(The following proceedings were had in open court in the presence and hearing of the jury.)

QUESTION: One of the dogs you were caring for, Mr. Garretson, was named Christopher, isn’t that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What one of the dogs was he, or which one of the dogs?

ANSWER: The larger one.

QUESTION: On the evening or the early morning hours of August the 13th after Steven Parent left your residence, did you hear Christopher barking?

ANSWER: I could not really say.

QUESTION: Isn’t it a fact that you heard Christopher barking loudly approximately 2 or 3 hours after Mr. Parent left your home?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: So you did hear Christopher barking, isn’t that correct?

ANSWER: That he barked, I mean, generally, but I mean any night he would generally bark.

QUESTION: His barking then was not extraordinary or unusual in any respect?

ANSWER: I could not really say. I could not distinguish if he was barking any louder than he generally was any other night.

QUESTION: Did you consider these dogs, bearing in mind your experience with them, as watchdogs of any sort?

ANSWER: Sort of.

QUESTION: Did it appear to you when Christopher barked 2 or 3 hours after Steven Parent left that the dog was indicating to you that somebody had arrived on the premises?

MR. BUGLIOSI: That calls for a conclusion, Your Honor.

THE COURT: Sustained.

QUESTION: You testified on your direct examination I believe that the dogs used to bark when people would come to the residence. Isn’t that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And that there was about a 6 second delay between the time the dogs barked and the guests arrived, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: When you heard the dogs – Christopher – bark 2 or 3 hours after Steven Parent left, was it your state of mind that a guest was arriving on the premises?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You did not think that was unusual or peculiar?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You did not sleep at any time during the night?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: And you heard nothing unusual or peculiar?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You did not hear any shots or anything like that?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Have you ever heard a gunshot?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Are you familiar with .22 caliber pistols?

ANSWER: Rifles.

QUESTION: Have you ever heard a .22 caliber rifle fired?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you hear anything like that on the evening of the 8th or the early morning hours of the 9th?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did you hear any screams or hollers or yells that evening?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: What was the weather like on the evening of the 8th, do you recall?

ANSWER: It wasn’t raining or anything, I think it was a clear night. I’m not sure.

QUESTION: When you went out earlier in the evening, you went down to Turner’s Drug Store, right?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: You bought a TV dinner, right?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And you hitchhiked back, right?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: You hitchhiked down Sunset Boulevard, right?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Then you hitchhiked up Benedict Canyon, right?

ANSWER: I’m not sure.

QUESTION: Did you walk up Cielo Drive?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And it winds around, doesn’t it?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you enter through the gate or did you enter through Bella Drive?

ANSWER: Yes, it’s Cielo.

QUESTION: You consider them the same?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you walk by the main house when you walked back to the guest house?

ANSWER: You mean on the front lawn?

QUESTION: Yes.

ANSWER: No, no.

QUESTION: How did you walk?

ANSWER: Around the walk to the guest house, it’s in front, way in front is the guest house. I mean the main house.

QUESTION: You did not walk by the main house?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You did not look in the window of the main house?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You were carrying something in your hand, right?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: You were carrying a carton of Coca-Cola in one hand?

ANSWER: Not a carton. A bottle.

QUESTION: And you had a TV dinner in the other?

ANSWER: Yes – well, they were in a sack.

QUESTION: In a sack. Were you wearing a jacket?

ANSWER: I’m not sure. I really could not say.

QUESTION: Did you own a jacket at that time?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: You don’t recall whether it was chilly out or not, do you?

MR. STOVITZ: Did you say a chilly TV dinner?

QUESTION: Do you recall it being brisk, or did it appear to be a typical August evening?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you have your windows open in the guest house?

ANSWER: I really don’t know.

QUESTION: Did you normally have the windows open in the guest house?

ANSWER: I never opened them.

QUESTION: Is the guest house air conditioned?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Do you recall whether the windows in the guest house were open or closed on the evening of the 8th?

ANSWER: No, it had shutters.

QUESTION: Now, there are 4 entrances to the guest house, correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Which entrance did you use when you came back with your TV dinner?

ANSWER: The one by the patio, I mean the porch. You get into the porch, then the patio.

MR. STOVITZ: With the permission of the Court, counsel stated we can mark that. Is this the entrance here?

ANSWER: Yes.

MR. STOVITZ: I will put a #1 on Exhibit B for identification.

THE COURT: Very well.

QUESTION: Is that the entrance you customarily use for ingress and egress?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Do you recall what you were listening to in the guest house, on the stereo?

ANSWER: Yes, some records.

QUESTION: Do you recall what the records were?

ANSWER: The Words and The Mamas and Papas – no, wait a minute – Mama Cass and The Doors.

QUESTION: Now, are you familiar with the acoustics at 10050 Cielo Drive?

ANSWER: I don’t understand the question.

QUESTION: All right, the acoustics – have you ever heard people talking in the vicinity of the pool area?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You have swam in the pool, haven’t you?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And you talked over there, correct? I mean, conversation with other people.

ANSWER: Maybe a few friends of mine.

QUESTION: Well, I’m not talking about any particular conversation. Have you heard people talking, just one another in the vicinity of the pool, not necessarily did you hear any particular
conversation, but could hear them talking?

ANSWER: I don’t understand what you mean.

QUESTION: All right, from the guest house –

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: – if you were standing at the door that you usually go in and out of, can you hear people in the area of the pool?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Can you hear people swimming or anything?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Is there some reason for that, so far as you know?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: You can hear the dogs when they bark outside, though, can’t you?

ANSWER: They are usually inside when they are barking.

QUESTION: At any time on the 8th or 9th, did you look out of the guest house in the direction of the main house?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: And Mr. Parent left your house at approximately 12:45 am, is that right?

ANSWER: 12:15 am.

QUESTION: 12:15 ?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: He arrived at 11:45?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: He left at 12:15?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And from 12:15 until 4:00, 4:30 or 5:00, you did what?

ANSWER: Writing letters and listening to the stereo.

QUESTION: Who were you going to call?

ANSWER: The time.

QUESTION: You didn’t have a watch or clock?

ANSWER: All the clocks were wound up. No electric clocks in the guest house.

QUESTION: And they didn’t keep accurate time?

ANSWER: Well, they kept accurate time if I would wind them up.

QUESTION: Did you neglect to wind them?

ANSWER: I didn’t wind them, no. I didn’t wind them up.

QUESTION: When you discovered that the line was dead, or it sounded dead when you put it to your ear, did you attempt to investigate the cause of the disorder?

ANSWER: No. I went to the bedroom and got another phone and plugged it into the wall.

QUESTION: What happened then?

ANSWER: It didn’t work.

QUESTION: Did you investigate the cause or – ?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: – attempt to investigate?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did you go outside and look around?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: What time was it that you actually went to bed, went to sleep that is?

ANSWER: I couldn’t really say, but it was just before daybreak.

QUESTION: And did Christopher wake you up?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: All 3 dogs were inside the guest house that night, is that right?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you say anything to Christopher when he started to bark and woke you up?

ANSWER: I told him to be quiet. Well, when he started barking, you know, I told him to shut up, and then I looked up and there was a policeman outside in the patio, pointing a rifle at me, by
the picnic table.

QUESTION: What did you do then?

ANSWER: I didn’t know what to do.

QUESTION: What happened next?

ANSWER: Another one came and pointed another rifle, and then another one, and he was pointing a pistol, and he kicked in the door, and Christopher bit him on the leg.
QUESTION: What happened to Christopher?

ANSWER: I told him to stop it.

QUESTION: What happened next?

ANSWER: Well, then they drug me onto the patio and threw me down on my stomach. And I asked them what was wrong? And he told me to shut up, they would show me.

QUESTION: Were you shown?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: What were you shown?

ANSWER: Two bodies on the front lawn and one in the car.

QUESTION: Now, Mr. Parent came to the guest house, did you engage in some conversations? Did he talk to you, in other words?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Without telling me what he said, did Mr. Parent ask you – well, without telling me the nature – what was said in the conversation, did you have a discussion with Mr. Parent
about what was going on in the main house?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Did Mr. Parent engage in a conversation with you about the identity of two women within the main house?

ANSWER: I believe he asked me who –

QUESTION: Don’t – did you have a conversation with him about that?

ANSWER: He asked me what –

QUESTION: You can just answer that yes or no.

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Yes, right?

ANSWER: Yes.

MR. FITZGERALD: Your Honor and counsel, I have some matters that are properly beyond the scope of direct examination, but I think for convenience to the witness, I wonder if I might be  allowed to take him as my witness?

MR. STOVITZ: No objection, Your Honor. Do you think he will be finished by 4:15?

MR. FITZGERALD: Finished with me by 4:15?

THE COURT: We still have 2 or 3 minutes, if you wish to start, Mr. Fitzgerald?

MR. FITZGERALD: Thank you.

William Garretson, called as a witness by and on behalf of the defendants, was examined and testified as follows: Direct Examination by Mr. Fitzgerald

QUESTION: Mr. Garretson, would you state again your business and occupation during the months of July and August of 1969?

ANSWER: Just July and August?

QUESTION: Just July and August, yes.

ANSWER: I took care of 3 dogs.

QUESTION: And I take it you were paid a salary, correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And you were under the employ of one Rudi Altobelli, correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: He actually owned the guest house?

ANSWER: Yes. He and Miss Tate.

QUESTION: So far as you know, he was in Europe at the time, is that correct?

ANSWER: I am not sure. He might have been in Ireland. I don’t know.

QUESTION: Let’s stretch it and say Ireland is Europe.

ANSWER: Well, he might have been in Italy, in Europe, yes.

QUESTION: You were taking care of the dogs in his absence?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And you had been so employed since approximately mid-March of 1969, through and including August the 9th, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: During that period of time, did you know who was living in the main house?

ANSWER: You mean during those months?

QUESTION: During those months.

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you also know some of the personnel who worked there? Winifred Chapman, did you know her?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you also know the gardeners?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Were you friendly with any of the gardeners?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And their name was Vargas, is that correct?

ANSWER: I know their name by Tom and Dave. They are brothers.

QUESTION: Did you ever use the pool in the vicinity of the main house?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you ever see other people using the pool?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you see the people that lived in the main house using the pool?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you ever see what appeared to be parties in the evening in the location of the pool?

ANSWER: The only party that I remember is that they had a very large party in, I think it was June.

QUESTION: When you say “they,” who are you referring to?

ANSWER: The people that lived in the main house.

QUESTION: For the sake of the record, was that Sharon Polanski?

ANSWER: No.

QUESTION: Mrs. Polanski?

ANSWER: No. It was Abigail Folger and Frykowski that threw the party.

QUESTION: Actually, it was your impression that Mr. Frykowski was, in fact, the younger brother of Roman Polanski, is that correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: You didn’t realize that his name was Frykowski and that he was not related to Mr. Polanski?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: You later discovered that?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: And did you see numerous visitors at the location of the main house during the months of March, April, May, June, July of 1969?

ANSWER: No, I wouldn’t say numerous.

QUESTION: Would you describe it for the jury?

ANSWER: I really couldn’t say. I didn’t keep track who came in and who left. I mean, maybe they had a few visitors, you know, maybe a few visitors, but not very much, no.

QUESTION: Did it appear to you that Sebring was a frequent visitor at the location? Had you seen his black Porsche there frequently?

ANSWER: Yes. When Mrs. Polanski came back, yes, it was there.

QUESTION: Do you recall when she came back?

ANSWER: Two weeks to a month before the incident.

QUESTION: Would it be unusual for you to see a number of people, let’s say 7 or 8 guests or acquaintances in the vicinity of the main house near the pool area, or in the pool area, in the
evening, during the months of March, April, May, June, and July?

MR. STOVITZ: At one time, Counsel, or all?

MR. FITZGERALD: At one time.

ANSWER: You mean 7 or 8 around the pool or what?

QUESTION: Yes.

ANSWER: I don’t believe I ever saw that many, no, around the pool.

THE COURT: Mr. Fitzgerald, we will adjourn at this time until Monday at 9:45 am. Ladies and gentlemen, do not converse among yourselves nor with anyone else on any subject relating to this case nor form or express any opinion regarding this case until it is finally submitted to you. 9:45 am Monday.

MR. STOVITZ: Would Your Honor order this witness back for Monday, please?

THE COURT: Yes. You are ordered to return Monday, Mr. Garretson.

ANSWER: Yes sir.

(Whereupon, at 4:18 pm, the court was adjourned.)


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