I correspond regularly with Charles Manson.

Since: Jul 08

9,101

Would it be wrong to sell some of these letters on eBay?

Carol

Spartanburg, SC

Dr_Dirty wrote:

Would it be wrong to sell some of these letters on eBay?

That creeps me out..However,I think that you may need his permission,when attempting to earn a profit from his personal letters,and such..
I may be wrong,however..it may be something to check into,beforehand.Could prevent some legal issues for you.

Since: Jul 08

9,101

Carol wrote:

<quoted text>
That creeps me out..However,I think that you may need his permission,when attempting to earn a profit from his personal letters,and such..
I may be wrong,however..it may be something to check into,beforehand.Could prevent some legal issues for you.

The letter writing thing started out as a weird contest between a couple of friends of mine and I. We each picked a high profile criminal freak to write to, to see who would get a response back.

One friend wrote Diane Downs (gal that shot her own kids on the side of a dark and lonely road) and the other wrote the shoe-bomber terrorist dude. I picked Manson and he was the only one to respond.

I asked him if he felt like he had any purpose at this stage in his life. He wrote back directing me to a pro-environment/pro-Manson web site devoted to the environmental ramblings of his.

Most of it's pure gibberish, but it was kind of interesting to see what was/is going on inside the head of such a notorius madman.

Legally, I don't think there would be an issue. I read once years ago, where a judge had set the precedent on letters stating something to the effect of, that if you write someone a letter, the contents of the letter become the property of the person you send it to.

My question was coming more from the moral stand point. Do you think it's morally ok to sell these?

ERNIE

Salt Lake City, UT

Judged:

if you did, protect yourself from buyer by not putting a return address on it!

Dr_Dirty wrote:

<quoted text>
The letter writing thing started out as a weird contest between a couple of friends of mine and I. We each picked a high profile criminal freak to write to, to see who would get a response back.
One friend wrote Diane Downs (gal that shot her own kids on the side of a dark and lonely road) and the other wrote the shoe-bomber terrorist dude. I picked Manson and he was the only one to respond.
I asked him if he felt like he had any purpose at this stage in his life. He wrote back directing me to a pro-environment/pro-Manson web site devoted to the environmental ramblings of his.
Most of it's pure gibberish, but it was kind of interesting to see what was/is going on inside the head of such a notorius madman.
Legally, I don't think there would be an issue. I read once years ago, where a judge had set the precedent on letters stating something to the effect of, that if you write someone a letter, the contents of the letter become the property of the person you send it to.
My question was coming more from the moral stand point. Do you think it's morally ok to sell these?

Since: Jul 08

9,101

ERNIE wrote:

if you did, protect yourself from buyer by not putting a return address on it!<quoted text>

Indeed! Wouldn't want any whackos making a midnight visit.

why not

Somerset, KY

The decision needs to be based on your own morals.
Do you feel right selling them? I say why not, its not like you guys are the best of friends and you're going to be betraying him by doing this.

Since: Jul 08

9,101

Judged:

why not wrote:

The decision needs to be based on your own morals.
Do you feel right selling them? I say why not, its not like you guys are the best of friends and you're going to be betraying him by doing this.

This is true. I was thinking from the point of view of the familiy members of the victims - ie, profitting from the deaths of their loved ones.

But I guess I would be joining a long line of people who have profitted from books, interviews and the like.

And I suppose it isn't a huge deal, not like it would have been 30 years ago if I tried selling them.

Carol

Spartanburg, SC

Dr_Dirty wrote:

<quoted text>
The letter writing thing started out as a weird contest between a couple of friends of mine and I. We each picked a high profile criminal freak to write to, to see who would get a response back.
One friend wrote Diane Downs (gal that shot her own kids on the side of a dark and lonely road) and the other wrote the shoe-bomber terrorist dude. I picked Manson and he was the only one to respond.
I asked him if he felt like he had any purpose at this stage in his life. He wrote back directing me to a pro-environment/pro-Manson web site devoted to the environmental ramblings of his.
Most of it's pure gibberish, but it was kind of interesting to see what was/is going on inside the head of such a notorius madman.
Legally, I don't think there would be an issue. I read once years ago, where a judge had set the precedent on letters stating something to the effect of, that if you write someone a letter, the contents of the letter become the property of the person you send it to.
My question was coming more from the moral stand point. Do you think it's morally ok to sell these?

Morally,wrong no..Was he morally correct,in corupting the minds of others,or in murdering,and having others murdered?
I would think that it would be your personal choice,however..I wasn't certain..
Manson is a very demented criminal,and in my opinion,has no morals,and one should not feel any remorse,to use his writings,as they see fit..
Good luck to you,as I would think that someone will purchase them,for the curiosity..

Since: Jul 08

9,101

Carol wrote:

<quoted text>
Morally,wrong no..Was he morally correct,in corupting the minds of others,or in murdering,and having others murdered?
I would think that it would be your personal choice,however..I wasn't certain..
Manson is a very demented criminal,and in my opinion,has no morals,and one should not feel any remorse,to use his writings,as they see fit..
Good luck to you,as I would think that someone will purchase them,for the curiosity..

He and his cohorts were definitely off their rockers....well, I shall see.

Thanks for the input.

groundhog9

Toledo, OH

Dr_Dirty wrote:

<quoted text>
The letter writing thing started out as a weird contest between a couple of friends of mine and I. We each picked a high profile criminal freak to write to, to see who would get a response back.
One friend wrote Diane Downs (gal that shot her own kids on the side of a dark and lonely road) and the other wrote the shoe-bomber terrorist dude. I picked Manson and he was the only one to respond.

I asked him if he felt like he had any purpose at this stage in his life. He wrote back directing me to a pro-environment/pro-Manson web site devoted to the environmental ramblings of his.
Most of it's pure gibberish, but it was kind of interesting to see what was/is going on inside the head of such a notorius madman.
Legally, I don't think there would be an issue. I read once years ago, where a judge had set the precedent on letters stating something to the effect of, that if you write someone a letter, the contents of the letter become the property of the person you send it to.
My question was coming more from the moral stand point. Do you think it's morally ok to sell these?

Ethically I think you should wait until he is dead.Letters are personal,it's rude to make them public.After he is dead they become historic artifacts just like a letter from Abraham Lincoln or whoever.

Since: Apr 08

17,916

Dr_Dirty wrote:

<quoted text>
The letter writing thing started out as a weird contest between a couple of friends of mine and I. We each picked a high profile criminal freak to write to, to see who would get a response back.
One friend wrote Diane Downs (gal that shot her own kids on the side of a dark and lonely road) and the other wrote the shoe-bomber terrorist dude. I picked Manson and he was the only one to respond.
I asked him if he felt like he had any purpose at this stage in his life. He wrote back directing me to a pro-environment/pro-Manson web site devoted to the environmental ramblings of his.
Most of it's pure gibberish, but it was kind of interesting to see what was/is going on inside the head of such a notorius madman.
Legally, I don't think there would be an issue. I read once years ago, where a judge had set the precedent on letters stating something to the effect of, that if you write someone a letter, the contents of the letter become the property of the person you send it to.
My question was coming more from the moral stand point. Do you think it's morally ok to sell these?

In addition, he is not permitted, by law, to profit from anything like that while in prison.

The letters are yours to do with what you wish.

The answer to your moral question would be to whom would be selling it?

I would market it or even look into an auction as opposed to putting it on Ebay.

You may feel better about it if a school or an institution of some kind bought it.

Since: Apr 08

17,916

Judged:

groundhog9 wrote:

<quoted text>
Ethically I think you should wait until he is dead.Letters are personal,it's rude to make them public.After he is dead they become historic artifacts just like a letter from Abraham Lincoln or whoever.

Who cares about being rude to Charles Manson?

He forfeited that right to respect about 50 years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Manson

Since: Apr 08

17,916

Judged:

Dr_Dirty wrote:

<quoted text>
He and his cohorts were definitely off their rockers....well, I shall see.
Thanks for the input.

I think you should research a little more as to their worth now as opposed to when/if he's dead.

Also, I do think that if a college of criminal studies or an archive institution were to get hold of them, you may be better able to reconcile it within yourself.

Good luck.

groundhog9

Toledo, OH

Judged:

paintedquote wrote:

<quoted text>
Who cares about being rude to Charles Manson?
He forfeited that right to respect about 50 years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Manson

Dr Dirty's being rude would reflect on him,not Manson.I think you forfeited your right to respect with that post.

TROLLSMASHING TROLL

“Thinking Off-Center”

Since: Sep 08

123

Penticton, Canada

Judged:

Dr_Dirty wrote:

Would it be wrong to sell some of these letters on eBay?

Ebay would not allow you to sell them there.There is a website that specializes in items such as these.www.murderauction.com

TROLLSMASHING TROLL

“Thinking Off-Center”

Since: Sep 08

123

Penticton, Canada

That web address is(again) www.murderauction.com

Since: Apr 08

17,916