Shivangi Sinha
When experts and legal professionals analyze the rise and escalation of crimes and violence at the hands of Charles Manson, there is one figure that is often mentioned: Bernard Crowe, aka Lotsapoppa. He had one interaction with Manson and was left injured with a gunshot wound to his stomach. In fact, his attacker believed that he had passed away, but it was only during Manson’s trial that Crowe came forward and testified against him. Netflix’s ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes’ shows the importance of this incident and places it in the timeline to show how it affected Manson’s later crimes.
Bernard “Lotsapappa” Crowe Was Shot by Charles Manson in His Own Home
Bernard Crowe, aka Lotsapoppa, was a known drug dealer based in Los Angeles, California, in the 1960s. When Charles “Tex” Watson joined the Manson Family group, he was given the responsibility of finding money as they were planning to relocate from Spahn Ranch. Watson came up with a scheme and got in touch with Crowe through his ex-girlfriend, Rosina “Luella” Kroner. The plan was that he would take money from Crowe with the promise of buying marijuana for him, but he intended to keep it and use the money to buy drugs and resell them. In the summer of 1969, he arrived at Crowe’s home, took around $2,700 and left.
When Watson did not return, Crowe was definitely angry and called the Spahn Ranch. He spoke to Manson himself for the first time and allegedly threatened to come to the ranch and kill them all. He also lied about being a member of the Black Panther Party. That was when Manson decided to go to his house, and an argument ensued between them. He shot Crowe once in the stomach and left the scene, thinking that he had passed away. He is also believed to have stolen a leather jacket. Crowe received the treatment that he needed and kept a low profile. He was scared that Manson might come back if he found out that he was alive, and he did not report the incident to the police.
Bernard “Lotsapappa” Crowe Testified Against Charles Manson at His 1970 Trial
Charles Manson’s attack on Bernard Crowe is believed to be one of the reasons why he called the Straight Satans motorcycle gang to stay with him at the farm. It was not until June 1970, when Charles Manson’s trial began, and Crowe was brought to the stand by the prosecutors, that Manson found out that the man he had shot was still alive. His testimony helped provide an understanding of Manson’s moves, how he escaped crime scenes, and his long history of violence. Not much has been known about Crowe since then, and he kept a low profile throughout his life.
Read More: Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme: What Happened to the Former Manson Family Member?
