Charles Manson Follower Bruce Davis Dies at 83 After Spending Over 50 Years in Prison

Bruce Davis, 83, died at a California prison hospital on Friday, 11 September, after spending more than 50 years behind bars. Davis was closely associated with the Manson Family and was described by prosecutors and the media as Manson's 'right-hand man'.

Davis was convicted in 1972 of two counts of first-degree murder, as well as conspiracy to commit murder and robbery, in connection with the 1969 killings of Gary Hinman and Donald 'Shorty' Shea. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

The Solano County Coroner's Office confirmed Davis' death, but his exact cause of death had not been released.

A Cult Leader's Right-Hand Man

During the 1960s, Davis became closely associated with Charles Manson. The Manson Family was based largely at Spahn Ranch in California, where its members lived under Manson's influence.

However, Davis was not involved in the notorious murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in August 1969. He was serving a life sentence for his role in the killings of aspiring musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea, two victims whose deaths were linked to Manson and his followers.

Hinman was an acquaintance of members of the Manson Family who were held at his Topanga Canyon home in July 1969 after the group sought money from him. Davis drove members of the group to Hinman's home and later held Hinman at gunpoint while Manson slashed his face with a sword.

Hinman was subsequently stabbed to death by fellow Manson follower Bobby Beausoleil, making him the first known murder victim associated with the Manson Family.

Shea, a stuntman and ranch hand at Spahn Ranch, was targeted after Manson accused him of being a police informant and blamed him for attempts to drive the group from the ranch. Manson and Davis, along with fellow followers Steve Grogan and Charles 'Tex' Watson, took Shea to a secluded area, where he was attacked. Davis later acknowledged cutting Shea with a knife.

Parole Repeatedly Rejected

Throughout Davis' time behind bars, he was repeatedly considered for parole. He was found suitable for release eight times, but California governors Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom blocked his release on multiple occasions.

In 2021, a state parole panel again found Davis suitable for release, but Gov. Newsom reversed the recommendation, saying Davis posed an 'unreasonable danger to society' if released.

A parole hearing was held again in July 2022, when commissioners denied Davis release and told him to try again in three years. His attorney said commissioners cited a lack of empathy.

During his more than 50 years in prison, Davis pursued education and rehabilitation programmes, including earning advanced academic qualifications. He also claimed to be a born-again Christian, according to reports.

Davis ultimately remained behind bars until his death, making him one of several prominent Manson Family members to die in custody. Charles Manson himself died in prison in November 2017 at the age of 83.