Top Manson family lieutenant behind two horrific slaying dies
A former lieutenant and so-called “right-hand man” of cult leader Charles Manson, who had a role in several brutal murders, has reportedly died.
Bruce Davis died on Sept. 11 at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, where he was serving a life sentence for his horrific crimes, according to TMZ.
He was convicted in 1972 for his role in two 1969 murders carried out by members of the Manson family –– the torture-slaying of musician Gary Hinman and the murder of Spahn Ranch stuntman Donald “Shorty” Shea.
He previously said he cut Shea with a knife and held a gun while Manson cut Hinman’s face with a sword.
While Davis was not present during the infamous Tate-LaBianca killings that summer, prosecutors established that he was a chief lieutenant within the group who helped orchestrate and execute key operations under Manson’s direction.
Davis was recommended for parole in 2019 after a court hearing in San Luis Obispo, California. Under state rules, the decision entered a 120-day review period, leaving Gov. Gavin Newsom with final authority to uphold or overturn the release.
California governors historically blocked parole for Manson cult members, with both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown rejecting Davis’ previous bids.
Davis was not involved in the more notorious killings of actress Sharon Tate and six others by Manson’s group, the subject of a movie by director Quentin Tarantino.
The Manson Family was a notorious California-based commune, gang, and cult led by Manson in the late 1960 famous for a two-night killing spree in Los Angeles in August 1969 that claimed the lives of nine people.