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Lynette FrommeAmerican, one of the first members of the Manson Family.
Date of Birth: 22.10.1948
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Lynette Fromme
- Early Life
- Joining the Manson Family
- Involvement in Further Crimes
- Assassination Attempt on President Ford
- Release and Aftermath
Biography of Lynette Fromme
Lynette Fromme, an American, was one of the early members of the Manson Family. Although she was not directly involved in the murders, she was later accused of attempting to conceal important information and received a short prison sentence for refusing to testify in court.
Early Life
Lynette Fromme was born in Santa Monica, California, to William Millar Fromme, an aerospace engineer, and his wife Helen Benzinger. As a child, Fromme was a member of the Westchester Lariats, a children's dance group, and traveled extensively across the United States and Europe for performances. In 1963, her family moved to Redondo Beach, a suburb of Los Angeles, where Fromme's life took a downward spiral as she started drinking and using drugs. Her academic performance also suffered, although she managed to complete high school. She reluctantly attended college for two months, following her father's insistence, but her strained relationship with her parents continued to deteriorate. Eventually, her father kicked her out of the house.
Joining the Manson Family
In 1967, Fromme moved to Venice Beach, where she was battling severe depression. It was there that she met Charles Manson, and his philosophy and charisma captivated her. Soon after, she joined Manson's Family. In 1969, when Manson was arrested for his involvement in the Tate/La Bianca murders, Fromme and the remaining free members of the Family established a small camp nearby. They followed Manson's lead and carved an "X" on their foreheads. Fromme actively engaged with journalists, proclaiming Manson's innocence and preaching his apocalyptic philosophy. Although she was not directly involved in the murders, she later faced accusations of attempting to hide important information. Fromme adamantly refused to testify herself and fervently encouraged other witnesses to follow suit, earning her a short prison sentence.
Involvement in Further Crimes
Fromme's involvement with criminal activities continued when she, along with her "sister" Nancy Pitman and Priscilla Cooper, were tasked by Manson to meet and fulfill his promise to two members of the Aryan Brotherhood who were released from prison. In Stockton, California, the "Aryan" members James Craig and Michael Monfort murdered James and Lauren Willett, and Fromme was initially arrested on suspicion of being involved in the crime. However, she was released due to lack of evidence.
Assassination Attempt on President Ford
On September 5, 1975, Fromme visited Sacramento Park where President Gerald Ford was making an appearance. She was dressed in a red nun's robe and held a semi-automatic pistol. Fromme aimed the gun at the president but was apprehended by a Secret Service agent before she could fire. Fromme was sentenced to life imprisonment, as attempting to assassinate the president was considered a federal crime following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Just 17 days after Fromme's arrest, another assassination attempt on President Ford was made by Sara Jane Moore. She ambushed him as he exited a hotel.
Release and Aftermath
Fromme escaped from prison on December 23, 1987, in an attempt to meet Manson. However, she was apprehended just two days later. She was granted early release in August 2009, although she had been eligible for release since July 2008. Fromme spent an additional year in prison due to an attempted escape. Rumors suggest that she settled in Marcy, New York, following her release.
