Soon before the defense rested on November 19, a serious rift tore apart the defense team when Van Houten, Atkins, and Krenwinkel volunteered to be held in sole responsibility for the murders. Hughes said, “I refuse to take part in any proceeding where I am forced to push a client out the window” (507). After the defense rested, the three Family members stood and demanded to testify. Kanarek asked to separate his client’s case from that of the other three on trial. Manson testified on his own behalf outside of the presence of the jury. Bugliosi describes Manson’s hour-long speech as “hypnotic”: “These children that come at you with knives, they are your children. You taught them. I didn’t teach them. I just tried to help them stand up,” Manson said (509). He waived his right to testify before a jury, and so the trial went on recess for 10 days to give time for preparation of final arguments.

When court resumed on November 30, Hughes did not show up, and no one could account for him. He was last seen camping two days before, and Bugliosi feared the worst. Older appointed veteran defense attorney Maxwell Keith as Van Houten’s co-attorney, who soon after called for, and was denied, a mistrial.