Bruce M. Davis
{{short description|American criminal}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox criminal
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = .
| birth_name = Bruce McGregor Davis
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|10|05}}
| birth_place = Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| criminal_penalty = Life imprisonment
| conviction_status = Incarcerated
| allegiance = Manson Family
| motive =
| conviction = First degree murder
Conspiracy to commit murder
Robbery
}}
Bruce McGregor Davis (born October 5, 1942) is an American criminal and former member of the Manson Family who has been described as Charles Manson's "right-hand man".{{Cite news|url = https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-oct-05-la-me-manson-follower-20121006-story.html|title = Charles Manson's 'right-hand man' recommended for parole|last = Times|first = Los Angeles|date = October 5, 2012|newspaper = Los Angeles Times|language = en-US|issn = 0458-3035|access-date = April 12, 2016}}{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wJNGao7qu3QC|title = Taming the Beast: Charles Manson's Life Behind Bars|last1 = George|first1 = Edward|last2 = Matera|first2 = Dary|date = July 16, 1999|publisher = Macmillan|isbn = 9780312209704|language = en}}
Early life
Bruce McGregor Davis was born on October 5, 1942, in Monroe, Louisiana{{Cite web|url = http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_23391950/business-special-reports|title = The Charles Manson family: Where are they now?|website = www.mercurynews.com|date = June 5, 2013|access-date = April 12, 2016}} and grew up in Mobile, Alabama.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=48:50 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}}
Davis was editor of his high school yearbook and attended the University of Tennessee for three years, dropping out due to poor grades.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=20n2VPmoiQoC&pg=PA17 |first=Ed |last=Sanders |publisher=Da Capo Press |date=2002 |title=The Family |page=17 |isbn=9781560253969 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 1962, he hitchhiked to California, where he worked for a time as a barback at Harrah's Lake Tahoe.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E14 - Bruce Davis: Salvation from Manson Pt. I |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=February 2023 |time=36:05 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sNMIOuLESilb3Ot3igW4I |access-date=21 March 2024}} Davis stated that he regularly consumed cannabis and LSD, hitchhiked and lived as a drifter.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E14 - Bruce Davis: Salvation from Manson Pt. I |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=February 2023 |time=36:05 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sNMIOuLESilb3Ot3igW4I |access-date=21 March 2024}} In The Family, Ed Sanders claimed Davis met Charles Manson and his associates Mary Brunner, Lynette Fromme, and Patricia Krenwinkel in Oregon in 1967,{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BQK1EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT37 | title=The Family | isbn=9780306834226 | last1=Sanders | first1=Ed | date=April 11, 2023 | publisher=Hachette Books }} but Davis himself said in a February 2023 interview that he met Manson in Topanga in 1968, shortly after having been arrested in front of a Malibu, California liquor store for drug possession.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E14 - Bruce Davis: Salvation from Manson Pt. I |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=February 2023 |time=38:11 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sNMIOuLESilb3Ot3igW4I |access-date=21 March 2024}} Davis states that when they first met, Manson was in a bathtub outdoors, being bathed by around five girls, and that Davis primarily joined the family because of the girls and drugs.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E14 - Bruce Davis: Salvation from Manson Pt. I |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=February 2023 |time=38:11 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sNMIOuLESilb3Ot3igW4I |access-date=21 March 2024}}
Davis traveled to Europe and spent time traveling in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and claims he was introduced to Scientology after arriving in London in November 1968 when he was invited by girls he met after stepping out of the Earl's Court underground station.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=9:45 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}} He says he first heard about Scientology from Manson, but that he did not think Manson was very knowledgeable about it.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=16:17 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}} This conflicts with Manson's claim that he was "Theata Clear", the highest level within Scientology.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cwf7fqxjRigC&dq=manson+theta+clear&pg=PA200 | title=Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders | isbn= 9780393072365 | last1=Bugliosi | first1=Vincent | date=1974 | publisher=W. W. Norton }} Davis lived in London from November 1968 to April 1969 while working at the Church of Scientology headquarters.{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=20n2VPmoiQoC|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131022013344/http://books.google.com/books?id=20n2VPmoiQoC|url-status = dead|archive-date = October 22, 2013|title = The Family|last = Sanders|first = Ed|date = January 1, 2002|publisher = Da Capo Press|isbn = 1560253967|language = en}} Manson picked him up from LAX on his return, and that was when Davis first noticed Manson's change in ideology as he embraced Helter Skelter.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=9:00 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}}
Manson Family murders
{{see also|Manson Family}}
Davis was present when, in July 1969, Manson allegedly cut Gary Hinman's left ear. Hinman was allegedly stabbed to death by Bobby Beausoleil one day, although neither Manson nor Davis were present when Hinman was murdered. In late August, Davis did participate in the murder of Spahn's Ranch hand Donald "Shorty" Shea.
Davis said that he was at Spahn Ranch on August 8, 1969, the night of the Tate murders. He says that Susan Atkins approached him, saying that they were going out tonight and that Manson wanted him to come, but that he refused.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=51:09 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}} Davis said the same thing occurred the following night, the night of the LaBianca murders.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=51:46 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}}
Davis was present when, on November 5, 1969, John Philip Haught aka "Zero", allegedly killed himself playing Russian roulette.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fiyw_LeL51MC&pg=PA120|title=Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders |first1=Vincent |last1=Bugliosi |first2=Curt |last2=Gentry|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|date=2001|page=120|isbn=9780393322231 }} Davis claimed in an April 2023 interview that he was in the front room of the house, and heard a popping from the back room. He thought they were setting off firecrackers, until "Patty" (Madeline Cottage) came in and told him Zero shot himself.{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=38:29 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}} He stated that the gun was a "Sears Roebuck High Standard .22 automatic",{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=38:29 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}} a semi-automatic firearm cannot be used to play Russian roulette. Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi wrote in Helter Skelter that the gun police found was a .22 caliber Iver Johnson revolver.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fiyw_LeL51MC&q=Jerome+boen&pg=PA120 | title=Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders | isbn= 9780393072365 | last1=Bugliosi | first1=Vincent | date=1974 | publisher=W. W. Norton }} Davis also stated that he had put his finger on the muzzle of the firearm after the shooting, and that the police found his fingerprints,{{cite podcast |host=Keith Rovere |title=S1E22 - Bruce Davis: Scientology, Murder, and Manson |website=Spotify |publisher=The Lighter Side of Serial Killers with Keith Rovere |date=April 2023 |time=39:08 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zdH6QwhbLDFxDiPQlBeA9 |access-date=22 March 2024}} while Bugliosi wrote that the police found no fingerprints on the gun.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fiyw_LeL51MC&q=Jerome+boen&pg=PA120 | title=Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders | isbn= 9780393072365 | last1=Bugliosi | first1=Vincent | date=1974 | publisher=W. W. Norton }}
At some point after these events, Davis went into hiding, ultimately turning himself in on December 2, 1970.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fiyw_LeL51MC&pg=PA120|title=Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders |first1=Vincent |last1=Bugliosi |first2=Curt |last2=Gentry|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|date=2001|page=621|isbn=9780393322231 }}
Conviction and prison
{{external media|audio1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vwhLXO7AF4 Bruce Davis BBC Interview] with Bill Scanlon-Murphy}}
In 1972, Davis was convicted in Los Angeles County of two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Hinman and Shea, conspiracy to commit murder, and robbery. California having recently abolished the death penalty, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.{{Cite web|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19720315&id=us5OAAAAIBAJ&pg=7281,1608774|title = Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search|website = news.google.com|access-date = April 12, 2016}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=20n2VPmoiQoC&pg=PA17 |first=Ed |last=Sanders |publisher=Da Capo Press |date=2002 |title=The Family |page=272 |isbn=9781560253969 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-manson-bruce-davis-20150827-story.html|title = Manson family member Bruce Davis found eligible for parole|website = Los Angeles Times|date = August 27, 2015}} He began his sentence on April 21, 1972. He became a preacher in the prison chapel{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=20n2VPmoiQoC&pg=PA17 |first=Ed |last=Sanders |publisher=Da Capo Press |date=2002 |title=The Family |page=486 |isbn=9781560253969 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and has kept a clean disciplinary record since 1980. He was found suitable for parole in 2010,{{Cite web |url=https://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/parole-granted-for-former-manson-family.html |title=CDCR Today: Parole Granted for Former Manson Family Member Bruce Davis |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831012831/http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/parole-granted-for-former-manson-family.html |archive-date=August 31, 2015 |url-status=dead }} 2012,{{Cite web |url=https://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com/2012/10/parole-granted-for-former-manson-family.html |title=CDCR Today: Parole Granted for Former Manson Family Member Bruce Davis |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831013044/http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com/2012/10/parole-granted-for-former-manson-family.html |archive-date=August 31, 2015 |url-status=dead }} 2014,{{Cite web|url=http://cielodrive.com/bruce-davis-parole-hearing-2014.php|title=Parole Hearing: Bruce Davis 2014 | Cielodrive.com|website=cielodrive.com}} 2015,{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-governor-rejects-parole-of-manson-follower-20160122-story.html|title = For the third time, Brown rejects parole of Manson follower Bruce Davis, 73|website = Los Angeles Times|date = January 23, 2016}} 2017,{{Cite web|url=http://cielodrive.com/bruce-davis-parole-hearing-2017.php|title=Parole Hearing: Bruce Davis 2017 | Cielodrive.com|website=cielodrive.com}} 2019,{{Cite web|title=Parole Hearing: Bruce Davis 2019 {{!}} Cielodrive.com|url=http://www.cielodrive.com/bruce-davis-parole-hearing-2019.php|access-date=June 19, 2020|website=www.cielodrive.com}} and 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/01/22/parole-recommended-for-ex-manson-follower-bruce-davis/?amp|title = Parole Recommended for Ex-Manson Follower, Bruce Davis – CBS Los Angeles| date=January 22, 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/06/18/bruce-davis-parole-denied-manson-family-follower/|title = Governor Denies Parole for Former Manson Family Follower|date = June 18, 2021}} In each case, the sitting Governor reversed the decision.{{cite news |last=Fortin |first=Jacey |date=June 24, 2017 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/24/us/bruce-davis-charles-manson-family-parole.html?emc=edit_th_20170625&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=70154346 |title=Bruce Davis, a Charles Manson Follower, Has Parole Blocked for Fifth Time |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 25, 2017}} In July 2022, the two-member panel board denied him parole. His lawyer said that the panel highlighted Davis's "lack of empathy".{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Don |date=July 8, 2022 |url=https://apnews.com/article/religion-california-sharon-tate-charles-manson-641dd264d8d96f0e4c26a0a00b427b07|title=Parole denied for Manson follower for slayings in 1969|work=Associated Press |access-date=July 10, 2022}} He is currently imprisoned at San Quentin State Prison where he is serving his life sentence.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Manson Family}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Bruce M.}}
Category:American people convicted of murder
Category:American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment
Category:American former Scientologists
Category:People convicted of murder by California
Category:20th-century American criminals
Category:Criminals from California
Category:Criminals from Louisiana
Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by California