ASSASSINATION in the Serial Killer Calendar

Assassination is the murder of an individual; usually a political or famous figure. An added distinction between assassination and other forms of killing is that an assassin usually has an ideological or political motivation, though many assassins (especially those who are not part of an organised movement) also show elements of insanity. Other motivations may be money (as in the case of a contract killing), revenge, or as a military operation.

The euphemism targeted killing (also called extrajudicial execution) is also sometimes used for sanctioned assassinations of opponents, especially where undertaken by governments. 'Assassination' itself, along with terms such as 'terrorist' and 'freedom fighter', may in this context be considered a loaded term, as it implies a despicable act - whereas the proponents of such killings may consider them justified or even necessary.

Etymology

The term 'Assassin' is generally assumed to be derived from its connections to the Hashshashin, a militant religious sect of Ismaili Muslims, thought to be active in the Middle East in the 8th to 14th centuries. This mystic secret society killed members of the Abbasid elite for political or religious reasons.

Stories tell us that these early assassins were drugged during their murders, often with materials such as hashish and opium. The name assassin is derived from either hasishin for the supposed influence of the drugs, and disregard for their own lives in the process, or hassansin for their leader, Hassan-i-Sabah.

Today it is known that hashishinnya was an offensive term used to depict this cult by its Muslim and Mongolian detractors; the extreme zeal and cold preparation to murder makes it unlikely they ever used drugs.

The earliest known use of the derived term "Assassination" is found in William Shakespeare's theatrical play Macbeth, first published in the year 1605.

The formal definition of the term 'Assassination' varies between sources. For example, according to The American Heritage Dictionary, to assassinate is:

"...to murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons."

"The action of assassinating; the taking the life of any one by treacherous violence, esp. by a hired emissary, or one who has taken upon him to execute the deed."

There is also the problem regarding motivation: should the term include killings where the primary motivation is to attract attention to a cause, took place for purely personal reasons with the target itself being of secondary importance, or should the use of this term be restricted to murders where the victim is a political leader or public figure hostile to the agenda of the killer?

One can take one of four positions on this definitional problem. (note that this consideration is of necessity based upon language, not law):

* that the killing of someone by treacherous violence should be considered an assassination,
* that the killing of someone only for political, moral, or ideological reasons constitutes an assassination,
* that the killing of someone serving in politics or public office counts,
* or that anyone with a significant level of political involvement would be an assassination victim in the event of their murder

For the purposes of this article, the second, most conservative definition predominates, even though it is likely that either the first or the third are the most popular. The fourth is generally considered to be too general in application.

Ancient history

Assassination is one of the oldest tools of power politics, dating back at least as far as recorded history. Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar can be noted as famous examples. Emperors of Rome often met their end in this way, as did many of the Shia Imams. The practice was also well-known in ancient China like Jing Ke's failed assassination of Qin Shi Huang. The ancient Indian military advisor Chanakya wrote about assassinations in detail in his political treatise Arthashastra.

In the Middle Ages, regicide was rare, but with the Renaissance, tyrannicide - or assassination for personal or political reasons - became more common again. Rulers like Henry III and Henry IV of France as well as William the Silent of the Netherlands fell to it.

Modern history

As the world moved into the present day and the stakes in political clashes of will continued to grow to a global scale, the number of assassinations concurrently multiplied. In Russia alone, four emperors were assassinated within less than 200 years - Ivan VI, Peter III, Paul I, and Alexander II .

In the USA, Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy died at the hands of assassins, while many other presidents survived attempts on their life. Most of these assassinations however turned out to have no more than nebulous political backgrounds, adding a new threat - the mentally deranged assassin.

In Europe the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serb nationalist insurgents finally triggered World War I after a period of building conflicts, while World War II saw the first known use of specifically trained assassination operatives since the original Assassins. Reinhard Heydrich was killed by British-backed killers, and knowledge from decoded transmissions allowed the US to carry out a targeted attack, killing Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto while he was en-route in an airplane. Adolf Hitler meanwhile was almost killed by his own officers, and survived numerous attempts by other individuals and organizations.

Cold War and beyond

The Cold War saw a dramatic increase in the number of political assassinations, likely due in large part to the ideological polarization of most of the First and Second worlds, whose adherents were often more than willing to both justify and finance such killings.

During the Kennedy era, Cuban president Fidel Castro narrowly escaped death on several occasions at the hands of the CIA, some allege that Salvador Allende of Chile was another - successful - example of such US tactics (citation needed). At the same time, the KGB made creative use of assassination to deal with high-profile defectors and Israel's Mossad used them to eliminate Palestinian guerrillas and politicians.

Most major powers were not long in repudiating Cold War assassination tactics, though many allege that this was merely a smoke screen for political benefit and that covert and illegal training of assassins continues today, with Russia, Israel and other nations accused of still regularly engaging in such operations. In 1986, U.S. President Ronald Reagan ordered the Operation El Dorado Canyon air raid on Libya where one of the primary targets was the home residence of Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi escaped unharmed, however his adopted daughter Hanna was one of the civilian casualties.

During the 1991 Gulf War, the United States also struck many of Iraq’s most important command bunkers with bunker-busting bombs in hopes of killing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Various dictators around the world, such as Saddam Hussein, have also used assassination to remove individual opponents, or to terrorize troublesome population groups. In return, in post-Saddam Iraq, the Shiite-dominated government has used death squads to perform countless extrajudicial executions of Sunni Iraqis, with some alleging that the death squads were trained by the U.S.

Since the rise of al-Qaeda and similar organizations, who themselves often engage in assassination tactics, both the US administrations of Clinton and Bush have backed assassinations, mostly directed against terrorist leaders like Osama bin Laden, but also against elected political leaders and opponents like Mullah Omar. Most of these attempts were undertaken with remote-controlled missiles and similar tactics, often using remote surveillance for the decision where and when to strike as well. One of the most well-known examples of recent assassinations carried out by the United States was the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Sheik Abd-Al-Rahman, both killed as a result of two guided bombs on a safe house outside of Baghdad.

Outside of the larger-scale conflicts of Cold War and the War on Terrorism, assassinations due to internal or historical conflicts did not cease either. For example, in India, two Prime ministers, Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi, were both assassinated for political reasons in the 1980s.

As military doctrine

Assassination for military purposes has long been espoused - Sun Tzu argued for such in The Art of War, as did Machiavelli in The Prince. In medieval times, an army and even a nation might be based upon and around a particularly strong, canny or charismatic leader, whose loss could paralyze the ability of both to make war. However, in modern warfare a soldier's mindset is generally considered to surround ideals far more than specific leaders, while command structures are more flexible in replacing officer losses. While the death of a popular or successful leader often has a detrimental effect on morale, the organisational system and the belief in a specific cause is usually strong enough to enable continued warfare.

There is also the risk that the target could be replaced by an even more competent leader or that such a killing (or a failed attempt) will "martyr" a leader and support his cause (by showing the moral ruthlessness of the assassins). Faced with particularly brilliant leaders, this possibility has in various instances been risked, such as in the attempts to kill the Athenian Alcibiades during the Peloponnesian War. There are a number of additional examples from World War II, the last major total war, which show how assassination was used as a military tool at both tactical and strategic levels:

* The American interception of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto airplane during World War II, after his travel route had been decrypted.

* The American perception that Skorzeny's commandos were planning to assassinate Eisenhower during the Battle of the Bulge played havoc with Eisenhower's personal plans for some time, though it did not affect the battle itself. Skorzeny later denied in an interview with the New York Times[citation needed] that he had ever intended to assassinate Eisenhower during Operation Greif and he said that he could prove it.[12]

* There is also mention of a planned British commando raid to capture German General Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel (also known as "The Desert Fox"), which might have had strategic effects in removing one of the most skilled Axis commanders.[12]

* The British in turn decided not to try to assassinate Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, head of the Abwehr (German military intelligence), because to do so was considered risking to improve the service and to remove an officer who was plotting to remove Hitler from power.[citation needed]

During the Vietnam War, partly in response to Viet Cong assassinations of government leaders, the USA engaged in the Phoenix Program to assassinate Viet Cong leaders and symphatizers, and killed between 6,000 and 41,000 individuals, with official 'targets' of 1,800 per month.

Israel uses targeted killings both for vengeance purposes and to paralyze the activities of its opponents, in a similar style as Russia has done during the wars in Chechenya.

As tool of insurgents

Insurgent groups have often employed assassination as a tool to further their causes. Assassinations provide several functions for such groups, namely the removal of specific enemies and as propaganda tools to focus the attention of media and politics on their cause.

The Irish Republican Army guerrillas of 1919-1921 assassinated many RIC Police Intelligence officers during the Irish War of Independence. Michael Collins set up a special unit - the Squad - for this purpose, which had the effect of intimidating many policemen into resigning from the force. The Squad's activities peaked with the assassination of 14 British agents in Dublin on Bloody Sunday in 1920.

This tactic was used again by the Provisional IRA during the Troubles in Northern Ireland (1969-present). Assassination of RUC officers and politicians was one of a number of methods used in the Provisional IRA campaign 1969-1997. The IRA also attempted to assassinate British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher by bombing the Conservative Party Conference in a Brighton hotel. Loyalist paramilitaries retaliated by killing Catholics at random and assassinating Irish nationalist politicians.

Basque separatists ETA in Spain have assassinated many security and political figures since the late 1960s, notably Luis Carrero Blanco in 1973. Since the early 1990s, they have also targeted academics, journalists and local politicians who publicly disagreed with them, meaning that many needed armed police bodyguards.

The Red Brigades in Italy carried out assassinations of political figures, as to a lesser extent, did the Red Army Faction in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s.

Middle Eastern groups, such as the PLO and Hezbollah, have all engaged in assassinations, though the higher intensity of armed conflict in the region compared to western Europe means that many of their actions are either better characterized as guerrilla operations or as random attacks on civilians - especially the technique of suicide bombs.

In the Vietnam War, assassinations were routinely carried out by communist insurgents against government officials and private individuals deemed to offend or rival the revolutionary movement. Such attacks, along with widespread military activity by insurgent bands, almost brought the Diem regime to collapse, prior to the US intervention.

For money or gain

Individually, too, people have often found reasons to arrange the deaths of others through paid intermediaries. One who kills with no political motive or group loyalty who kills only for money is known as a hitman or contract killer. Note that by the definition accepted above, while such a killer is not, strictly speaking, an assassin, if the killing is ordered and financed towards a political end, then that killing must rightly be termed an assassination, and the hitman an assassin by extension.

Entire organizations have sometimes specialized in assassination as one of their services, to be gained for the right price. Besides the original hashshashin, the ninja clans of Japan were rumored to perform assassinations - though it can be pointed out that most of what was ever known about the ninja was rumor and hearsay.

In the United States, Murder, Inc., an organization partnered to the Mafia, was formed for the sole purpose of performing assassinations for organized crime. In Russia, the vory (thieves), their version of the Mafia, are often known to provide assassinations for the right price, as well as engaging in it themselves for their own purposes. A professional hitman is called "cleaner" in Russia; he is used to clean away the target. The Finnish as well as the Swedish underworld uses the word "torpedo" for a contract killer.

Psychology

A major study about assassination attempts in the US in the second half of the 20th century came to the conclusion that most prospective assassins spend copious amounts of time planning and preparing for their attempts. Assassinations are thus rarely a case of 'impulsive' action.

However, about 25% of the actual attackers were found to be delusional, a figure that rose to 60% with 'near-lethal approachers' (people apprehended before reaching their target). This incidentally shows that while mental instability plays a role in many modern-age assassinations, the more delusional attackers are less likely to succeed in their attempt. The report also found that around 2/3rds of the attackers had previously been arrested for (not necessarily related) offenses, that around 44% had a history of serious depression, and that 39% had a history of substance abuse.

Ancient methods

It seems likely that the first assassinations would have been direct and simple: stabbing, strangling or bludgeoning. Substantial planning or coordination would rarely have been involved, as tribal groups were too small, and the connection to the leaders too close. As civilization took root, however, leaders began to have greater importance, and become more detached from the groups they ruled. This would have brought planning, subterfuge and weapons into successful assassination plans.

The key technique was likely infiltration, with the actual assassination via stabbing, smothering or strangulation. Poisons also started to be used in many forms. Death cap mushrooms and similar plants became a traditional choice of assassins especially if they could not be perceived as poisonous by taste, and the symptoms of the poisoning did not show until after some time.

Modern methods

With the advent of effective ranged weaponry, and later firearms, the position of an assassination target was more precarious. Bodyguards were no longer enough to hold back determined killers, who no longer needed to directly engage or even subvert the guard to kill the leader in question. Additionally the engagement of targets at greater distance dramatically increased the chances for survival of an assassin. It is considered that William the Silent of the Netherlands was the first leader assassinated by fireams.

Gunpowder and other explosives also allowed the use of bombs or even greater concentrations of explosives for deeds requiring a larger touch; for an example, the Gunpowder Plot could have 'assassinated' almost a thousand people.

Explosives, especially the car bomb, become far more common in modern history, with grenades and remote-triggered landmines also used, especially in the Middle East and Balkans (the initial attempt on Archduke Franz Ferdinand's life was with a grenade). With heavy weapons, the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) has became a useful tool given the popularity of armored cars (discussed below), while Israeli forces have pioneered the use of aircraft-mounted missiles for assassination, as well as the innovative use of explosive devices.

A sniper with a precision rifle is often used in fictional assassinations. However, there are certain difficulties associated with long-range shooting, including finding a hidden shooting position with a clear line-of-sight, detailed advance knowledge of the intended victim's travel plans, the ability to identify the target at long range, and the ability to score a first-round lethal hit at long range, usually measured in hundreds of meters. A dedicated sniper rifle is also expensive and relatively rare, often costing thousands of dollars due to the high level of precision machining and hand-finishing required to achieve extreme accuracy.

However, many hunting rifles are accurate enough in the hands of an experienced marksman to fatally hit a target at up to 300 meters (330 yards) or more, such as the Savage Arms Model 111 rifle that was recently tested as having a calculated effective range on a human torso of over 500 yards (450m).[18] Modern hunting cartridges also have a flat enough trajectory to not require the shooter to compensate for bullet drop for targets up to about 250 meters (275 yards) and are powerful enough to penetrate most types of body armor with relative ease. The difficulty for an assassin lies thus more in gaining the required marksman skills, than in procuring a suitable weapon.

Despite their comparative disadvantages, easy-to-acquire and hard-to-trace handguns are much more commonly used. Of 74 principal incidents evaluated in a major study about assassination attempts in the US in the second half of the 20th century, 51% were undertaken by a handgun, 30% with a rifle or shotgun, while 15% of the attempts used knives and 8% explosives (usage of multiple weapons/methods was reported in 16% of all cases).

A 2006 case in the UK concerned the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko who was given a lethal dose of radioactive polonium-210, possibly passed to him in aerosol form sprayed directly onto his food. Litvinenko, a former KGB agent, had been granted asylum in the UK in 2000 after citing persecution in Russia. Shortly before his death he issued a statement accusing Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, of involvement in his assassination. President Putin has denied any involvement.

Early forms

One of the earliest forms of defense against assassins is without doubt the bodyguard. He acts as a shield for the potential target, keeps lookout for potential attackers (sometimes in advance, for example on a planned tour), and is literally supposed to put himself 'in harm's way' - both by his simple presence, forming a barrier in front of the target[15][20] and by shielding the target during any attack. He is also, if possible, to neutralize an attacker as fast as possible, and thus often carries weapons (where legal or possible).

This bodyguard function was often executed by the leader's most loyal warriors, and was extremely effective throughout most of early human history, leading to attempts via subterfuge, such as poison (which was answered by the food taster).

Notable examples of bodyguards would include the Roman Praetorian Guard or the Ottoman janissaries - although, in both cases, it should be noted that the protectors often became assassins themselves, exploiting their power to make the head of state a virtual hostage at their whim or eliminating threatening leaders altogether. The fidelity of individual bodyguards is an important question as well, especially for leaders who oversee states with strong ethnic or religious divisions. Failure to realize such divided loyalties leads to assassinations such as that of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards in 1984.

Modern strategies

With the advent of gunpowder, ranged assassination (via bombs or firearms) became possible. One of the first reactions was to simply increase the guard, creating what at times might seem a small army trailing every leader; another was to begin clearing large areas whenever a leader was present, to the point where entire sections of a city might be shut down.

As the 20th century dawned, the prevalence of assassins and their capabilities skyrocketed, and so did measures to protect against them. For the first time, armored cars or armored limousines were put into service for safer transport, with modern versions rendering them virtually invulnerable to small arms fire and smaller bombs and mines. Bulletproof vests also began to be used, though they were of limited utility, restricting movement and leaving the head unprotected - as such they tended to be worn only during high-profile public events if at all.

Access to famous persons, too, became more and more restrictive; potential visitors would be forced through numerous different checks before being granted access to the official in question, and as communication became better and information technology more prevalent, it has become next-to-impossible for a would-be killer to get close enough to the personage at work or in private life to effect an attempt on his or her life, especially given the common use of metal and bomb detectors.

Most modern assassinations have been committed either during a public performance or during transport, both due to weaker security and security lapses, such as with US President John F. Kennedy or as part of coups d'état where security is either overwhelmed or completely removed, such as with Patrice Lumumba and likely Salvador Allende.

The methods used for protection by famous people have sometimes evoked negative reactions by the public, with some resenting the separation from their officials or major figures. One example might be traveling in a car protected by a bubble of clear bulletproof glass, such as the Popemobile of Pope John Paul II (built following an extremist's attempt at his life). Politicians themselves often resent this need for separation - which has at times caused tragedy when they sent their bodyguards from their side for personal or publicity reasons, as US President William McKinley did during the public reception at which he was assassinated.

Other potential targets go into seclusion, and are rarely heard from or seen in public, such as writer Salman Rushdie. A related form of protection is the use of body doubles, a person built similar to the person he is expected to impersonate. These persons are then made up, as well as in some cases altered to look like the target, with the body double then taking the place of the person in high risk situations. Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein are known to have used body doubles. According to Joe R. Reeder, a former under secretary for the U.S. Army from 1993-1997 writing in Fox News, Fidel Castro had also used body doubles, though no details were specified.

In the final analysis, counter-measures can never be fully effective. If the assassin is committed beyond reason (i.e. insane) or without concern for his own for self-preservation (suicide attacker), then the task of protecting a person will be made much more difficult.

---------- { ULTRA RARE SERIAL KILLER DVDS } ----------

SERIAL KILLER DVDS: We are proud to offer the largest selection of Serial Killer DVDs on the planet. These DVDs contain a wide variety of hard to find footage (such as unaired news footage of trials, interviews and parole hearings and the uncut footage taken by Chicago police as they dig bodies from John Wayne Gacys crawl space). It has taken years to find these videos and rather then charge an outrageous price, we are offering these DVDs to our loyal customers for only $10 each.

----- { RARE DVD FOOTAGE OF SERIAL KILLERS AND MASS MURDERERS } -----

Ted Bundys Last Interview and More on DVD

THE VERY RARE LAST INTERVIEW OF TED BUNDY BEFORE HIS EXECUTION (PLUS OTHER RARE FOOTAGE)

The all American boy next next door, Ted Bundy, was one of the world's most vile and sadistic killers. He claimed never to commit these crimes however until weeks before he was executed. This DVD includes the two very rare last interviews where Bundy spills the beans and tells all. This is a must have for any serious collector and comes with amazing cover art by Johnny machine!

PRICE : $10

THE SON OF SAM - RARE FOOTAGE OF DAVID BERKOWITZ

This DVD includes hours of rare and lost footage of the Son of Sam, David Berkowitz (including the rare interview where David Berkowitz admits that he was not alone in the killings and his connection to a satanic cult)!

PRICE : $10

VERY RARE UNEDITED POLICE FOOTAGE OF JOHN WAYNE GACY (AT GACY’S HOUSE IN 1978) ON DVD

This is an ultra rare DVD containing footage of serial killer John Wayne Gacy (AKA Pogo The Killer Clown). Contained on this amazing DVD is over an hour of unedited, uncut raw video taken by the Chicago Police in 1978 while they dug for bodies in Gacy’s house. Also on this DVD is rare interviews and footage of Gacy before and after his arrest! This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime.

PRICE : $10

the capture of richard the nightstalker ramirez on dvd

THE CAPTURE OF RICHARD RAMIREZ - THE NIGHTSTALKER

This is a rare collection of local news report when Richard "The Night Stalker" Ramirez was captured by an angry mob wanting justice, Richard was one of the most violent serial killers that ever lived and left many people dead or severely impared from his violent killing spree.

PRICE : $10

RARE FOOTAGE OF RICHARD RAMIREZ (NIGHTSTALKER) ON DVD

This is a rare collection of local news footage and interviews with Richard "The Night Stalker" Ramirez.

PRICE : $10

JEFFREY DAHMER : CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL KILLER

This is the full 90 minute interview between Stone Philips and Jeffery Dahmer. Pretty wild stuff.

PRICE : $10

rare jeffrey dahmer tv appearances on dvd

RARE JEFFREY DAHMER TELEVISION APPEARANCES

This is a rare collection of local news reports and interviews of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer during the 1990s.

PRICE : $10

Horror In Milwaukee Rare Jeffrey Dahmer Footage On DVD

HORROR IN MILWAUKEE - HOURS OF RARE JEFFREY DAHMER FOOTAGE AND ORIGINAL NEWS CLIPS

THIS DVD INCLUDES HOURS OF RARE AND LOST FOOTAGE OF JEFFREY DAHMER.

PRICE : $10

Rare Footage of the Jeffrey Dahmer Trail on DVD

RARE FOOTAGE OF THE JEFFREY DAHMER TRIAL ON DVD

This DVD includes over an hour of hard to find footage taken during the Jeffrey Dahmer trial. You will see evidence, witnesses, angry family members and Jeffrey Dahmer himself take the stand. This is a must have for any true collector of the strange and macabre.

PRICE : $10

THE CARNAGE IN COLUMBINE DVD

This is an ultra rare DVD containing footage of the Trenchcoat Mafia. The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, near Denver and Littleton. Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a shooting rampage, killing 12 students and a teacher, as well as wounding 23 others, before committing suicide.

PRICE : $10

BIZARRE RARE HOME MADE INTERVIEW WITH OJ SIMPSON

Produced in 1996, this rare home video marks one of the most bizarre points of athlete, actor and suspected murderer OJ Simpson’s life. Apparently OJ was frustrated that everybody thought he was guilty, so he produced this video in order to clear his name, reputation…and to find the real killer of Ron and Nicole. That being said, here’s the setup--the majority of the video consists of a one-on-one, no holds barred interview between OJ Simpson and a journalist named Ross Becker. He was allowed to ask any question he wanted (excluding questions about his kids, personal finances, or post trial legal matters) directly to OJ and demand a full response. This interview was billed was “the questions and answers you would have heard if OJ had taken the stand”…After that grilling, OJ personally takes you on the tour of his estate…the scene of the murders…inside his home, and around his yard. He tries to work through bits of incriminating evidence during this tour, hoping that he can be vindicated in the public arena….but he only seems to dig himself deeper. Watch in amazement as this weird spectacle unfolds before your eyes….He definitely should not have made this video.

PRICE : $10

RARE CONFESSION FOOTAGE OF GERALD PARKER PART 1

Known as the "Bedroom Basher," serial rapist Gerald Parker thought he had gotten away with murder until DNA testing linked him to the murder of five women and an unborn child in Orange County, California. Police and Navy officials believe Gerald might be responsible for even more killings, specifically three other dead women in Orange County.

PRICE : $10

RARE CONFESSION FOOTAGE OF GERALD PARKER PART 2

PRICE : $10

ARMAGEDON IN WACO : RARE DAVID KORESH FOOTAGE ON DVD

This is an ultra rare DVD containing footage of the standoff at Waco Texas. The Branch Davidians are a sect that originated from a schism in 1955 from the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, themselves former members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who were disfellowshipped during the 1930s. They are best known for the 1993 siege of their Center near Waco, Texas, by the ATF and the FBI, which resulted in the deaths of 76 of the church's members, including head figure David Koresh.

PRICE : $10

Rare Heavens Gate Initiation Footage on DVD

ULTRA RARE HEAVEN'S GATE CULT INITIATION TAPE ON DVD

In 1997 Marshall Applewhite convinced thirty-eight followers to commit suicide so that their souls could take a ride on a spaceship that they believed was hiding behind the comet carrying Jesus. Ummm... yeah... I guess that kind of makes sen... WHAT?! This DVD is the very rare Heavens Gate initiation tape that Marshall Applewhite used to collect new members to the UFO cult and convince them to ultimately castrate themselves and drink a Jim Jones cocktail. This DVD is hours of creepy cult craziness and believe me, you will see Applewhites strange stare long after the TV is turned off. You wont find this DVD anywhere else on the planet! Trust me folks. You have no idea how hard it was to find this thing.

PRICE : $10

OVER 100 RARE AND COMPLETE FBI FILES ON ONE DVD

This is the very rare FBI Files DVD. Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, we are proud to present you with this amazing Data DVD which includes over 100 rare and newly declassified FBI Files on some of the most interesting people, groups and events in world history. The files on this DVD are in PDF format and can be viewed on any computer.For your convience, this DVD is seperated in to folders (based on theme and person). Each of these folders contains the complete FBI file for that individual (most of which are well over 200 pages long)! These files can be viewed on any computer and are perfect for printing.

PRICE : $10

---------- { RARE DVD FOOTAGE OF MANSON AND THE MANSON FAMILY } ----------

CHARLES MANSON VS BILL MURPHY: RARE PRISON INTERVIEW

This is the very in depth BBC interview with Charles Manson.

PRICE : $10

CHARLES MANSON VS PENNY DANIELS : RARE PRISON INTERVIEW

Female Tabloid reporter Penny Daniels interviews Manson.

PRICE : $10

CHARLES MANSON VS RON REAGAN JR : RARE PRISON INTERVIEW

Ron Reagan interviews Charles Manson

PRICE : $10

RARE LESLIE VAN HOUTEN 1977 INTERVIEW

Unedited footage of the entire interview Leslie Van Houten gave in 1977 after she was granted a re-trial (she eventually was convicted after a third trial in 1978: 7 years to life.) conducted inside the prison. Unique material.

PRICE : $10

RARE 1993 INTERVIEW WITH MANSON FAMILY MEMBER PATRICIA KRENWINKEL

PRICE : $10

RARE MANSON FAMILY NEWS FOOTAGE VOLUME ONE

This DVD contains the first 2 hours of 4 hours of raw footage of KTLA from the UCLA archives. Contents (both discs): News footage shot during the Tate-Labianca trial. News footage shot during the Hinman & Shea trials News footage shot during the trial following the Hawthorne gun store robbery. News footage shot during the Leslie Van Houten re-trials in 1977 & 1978. Footage of an interview with Bernard Crow (a.k.a. Lotsapoppa). Footage of interviews with prosecutors Vincent Bugliosi and Stephen Kay. Footage of interviews with Manson Family members Bruce Davis, Sandra Good. Nancy Pitman, and Leslie Van Houten. Footage of the arraignment of Kenneth Como, Catherine Share, Mary Brunner. Footage of Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Steve Grogan and others.

PRICE : $10

RARE MANSON FAMILY NEWS FOOTAGE VOLUME TWO

This DVD contains the second 2 hours of 4 hours of raw footage of KTLA from the UCLA archives. Contents (both discs): News footage shot during the Tate-Labianca trial. News footage shot during the Hinman & Shea trials News footage shot during the trial following the Hawthorne gun store robbery. News footage shot during the Leslie Van Houten re-trials in 1977 & 1978. Footage of an interview with Bernard Crow (a.k.a. Lotsapoppa). Footage of interviews with prosecutors Vincent Bugliosi and Stephen Kay. Footage of interviews with Manson Family members Bruce Davis, Sandra Good. Nancy Pitman, and Leslie Van Houten. Footage of the arraignment of Kenneth Como, Catherine Share, Mary Brunner. Footage of Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Steve Grogan and others.

PRICE : $10

RARE MANSON FAMILY NEWS FOOTAGE VOLUME THREE

This DVD contains the first 2 hours of 4 hours of footage from the NBC 2 archives. This volume contains raw footage of newscasts throughout the 1970s up to 1994.

PRICE : $10

RARE MANSON FAMILY NEWS FOOTAGE VOLUME FOUR

This DVD contains the second 2 hours of 4 hours of footage from the NBC 2 archives. This volume contains raw footage of newscasts throughout the 1970s up to 1994.

PRICE : $10

RARE MANSON FAMILY NEWS FOOTAGE VOLUME FIVE

This DVD contains raw footage from the CNN archives. Contents: Coverage of the press conference at the California Institution for Women following the parole hearing of Leslie Van Houten in 2002. Raw footage shot outside of the San Bernardino County courthouse of Van Houten's appearance before Judge Bob Krug with reactions of two lawyers for the Board of Parole Hearings, Van Houten's father Paul and Van Houten's attorney Christie Webb. Segments of several parole hearings over the years, among others Krenwinkel's 1985 hearing, Van Houten's 1987 hearing, Manson's 1989 hearing, Bruce Davis' 2000 hearing.

PRICE : $10

THE BEST OF CHARLES MANSONS 1980 INTERVIEWS ON DVD

Charles Manson 1980's Interviews With Tom Snyder, Penny Daniels, Charlie Rose, Nuel Emmons, Geraldo Rivera. This DVD is approx. 4 hr 20 mins Interesting, Great Research Material.

PRICE : $10

charles manson vs geraldo rivera prison interview

CHARLES MANSON VS CHARLIE ROSE : RARE PRISON INTERVIEW ON DVD

This is the full interview between Charlie Manson and Charlie Rose.

PRICE : $10


CHARLES MANSON VS GERALDO RIVERA (RARE UNCUT PRISON INTERVIEW TAKEN BY GUARDS) Anyone who has seen the episode of Geraldo with Charles Manson knows that something didn't seem right. Well what Geraldo didn't count on is the fact that the prison staff had their own camera filming the entire interview! This is the uncut tape from the prison camera, see what really happened! PRICE : $10

CHARLES MANSON VS TOM SNYDER : RARE PRISON INTERVIEW

This is the full interview between Charlie Manson and Tom Snyder. It has been said that this interview was the inspiration for much of the prison interview at the end of Natural Born Killers. This is trulyu one of Manson's best interviews and a must have for any crime history collector.

PRICE : $10

UNCUT CHARLES MANSON SUPERSTAR INTERVIEW

This is the complete uncut interview shown in Charles Manson Superstar.

PRICE : $10


RARE CHARLES MANSON PAROLE HEARING FOOTAGE FROM 1992-1997 This DVD includes very rare parole hearing footage from almost a decade of Charles Mansons Parole Hearings. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime. RULES : These DVDs are for educational purposes only and will not be sold to anyone under 18. PRICE : $10


NO SENSE MAKES SENSE : CHARLES MANSON This DVD is a crazy cut up film put together in the 80s featuring a bunch of Charles Manson's rants. Also features rare Manson TV footage of the 70s trail. PRICE : $10

CHARLIE'S ANGELS - RARE FOOTAGE OF THE MANSON FAMILY WOMEN ON DVD

THIS DVD INCLUDES HOURS OF RARE AND LOST FOOTAGE OF THE MANSON FAMILY WOMEN. ON THIS DVD YOU WILL FIND AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF PAROLE HEARINGS, HOME VIDEOS, INTERVIEWS, NEWS CLIPS AND HARD TO FIND RAW FOOTAGE NOT FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE!

PRICE : $10

CHARLES MANSON 1992 PAROLE HEARING

This is the 1992 Parole Hearing of Charles Manson.

PRICE : $10

CHARLES MANSON 1997 PAROLE HEARING

This is the 1997 Parole Hearing of Charles Manson.

PRICE : $10

2007 PAROLE HEARING OF CHARLES MANSON

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California denied parole on Wednesday to Charles Manson, one of America's most notorious mass murderers, in his 11th bid for release. California's Board of Parole Hearings said in a statement that Manson, 72, "continues to pose an unreasonable danger to others and may still bring harm to anyone he would come in contact with."

PRICE : $10

ALL IN THE (MANSON) FAMILY - RARE FOOTAGE OF THE MANSON FAMILY ON DVD

THIS DVD INCLUDES HOURS OF RARE AND LOST FOOTAGE OF THE MANSON FAMILY. ON THIS DVD YOU WILL FIND AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF PAROLE HEARINGS, HOME VIDEOS, INTERVIEWS, NEWS CLIPS AND HARD TO FIND RAW FOOTAGE NOT FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE!

PRICE : $10

1990 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON FAMILY MEMBER PATRICIA KRENWINKEL

This DVD includes the very rare 1990 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, PATRICIA KRENWINKEL. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true

PRICE : $10

1997 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON FAMILY MEMBER PATRICIA KRENWINKEL

This DVD includes the very rare 1997 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, PATRICIA KRENWINKEL. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime.

PRICE : $10

RARE 1991 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON FAMILY MEMBER LESLIE VAN HOUTEN

You are bidding on the very rare 1991 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, Leslie Van Houten. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime. RULES : These DVDs are for educational purposes only and will not be sold to anyone under 18.

PRICE : $10

Rare 1999 Parole Hearing of Manson Family Member Leslie Van Houten

1999 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON KILLER LESLIE VAN HOUTEN

You are bidding on the very rare 1999 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, Leslie Van Houten. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime. RULES : These DVDs are for educational purposes only and will not be sold to anyone under 18.

PRICE : $10

2000 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON FAMILY MEMBER LESLIE VAN HOUTEN

This DVD includes the very rare 2000 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, LESLIE VAN HOUTEN. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime.

PRICE : $10

$Charles Tex Watson 1990 Parole Hearing on DVD$

1990 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON FAMILY MEMBER CHARLES "TEX" WATSON

This DVD includes the very rare 1990 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, CHARLES TEX WATSON. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime.

PRICE : $10

1993 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON FAMILY MEMBER SUSAN ATKINS

This DVD includes the very rare 1993 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, SUSAN ATKINS. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime.

PRICE : $10

2000 PAROLE HEARING OF MANSON FAMILY MEMBER SUSAN ATKINS

This DVD includes the very rare year 2000 parole hearing of Manson Family killer, SUSAN ATKINS. This is truly a collectors item for any one interested in true crime.

PRICE : $10

CHARLES (MANSON) IN CHARGE DVD VOLUME ONE

THIS DVD INCLUDES HOURS OF RARE AND LOST FOOTAGE FROM THE MANSON FAMILY. ON THIS DVD YOU WILL FIND AN AMAZING MIX OF RAW FOOTAGE, HOME VIDEOS, INTERVIEWS, PAROLE HEARINGS AND MUCH MUCH MORE!

PRICE : $10

CHARLES (MANSON) IN CHARGE DVD VOLUME TWO

THIS DVD INCLUDES HOURS OF RARE AND LOST FOOTAGE FROM THE MANSON FAMILY. ON THIS DVD YOU WILL FIND AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF INTERVIEWS WITH THE BIG BAD WOLF OF AMERICAN CRIME, CHARLES MANSON.

PRICE : $10

CHARLES (MANSON) IN CHARGE DVD VOLUME FOUR

Starts off with a Hardcore copy exclusive with a pirated video from his jail cell and a segment on women who write him love letters, Some Christian Show with Tex Waston's born again wife and a long discussion about their marriage in prison, Another Christian show called "Pardoned From Above" also about Tex Watson's marriage and possible parole, Another Hardcopy Clip. Runs about 2 hours

PRICE : $10

CHARLES (MANSON) IN CHARGE DVD VOLUME FIVE

The first hour is Manson on Geraldo (The broadcast version, not the uncut version sold on this site), Then it has Maury Povich on a current affair talking about Manson, A clip of one of the Manson family talking collage classes in jail, Squeaky escaping prison, then a bunch of misc clips, runs about 2 hours

PRICE : $10

CHARLES (MANSON) IN CHARGE DVD VOLUME SIX

More random Charles Manson clips mostly from 1992. Runs about 2 hours

PRICE : $10

CHARLES (MANSON) IN CHARGE DVD VOLUME SEVEN

More Charles Manson clips from our massive collection.

PRICE : $10

WHITE RABBIT (RARE INTERROGATION OF MANSON FAMILY CONFIDANT) ON DVD

PRICE : $10

---------- { GIANT SERIAL KILLER WALL POSTERS } ----------

---------- { SERIAL KILLER WALL CLOCKS AND OTHER PRODUCTS } ----------

Feel free to use any banner you like. Simply copy and paste the code below on to your website or myspace page. On the left hand side of this page you will find links to the many sections of our highly viewed links page. If you want your site included on serialkillercalendar.com, simply put one of our banners on your site and send us an email so that we can do the same for you.