Misconception: Charles Manson was a serial killerCharles Manson Leaving Court with Attorney | Bettmann/GettyImagesThe cult Manson led, called the Family, was indeed responsible for killing seven people across two nights in Los Angeles. Misconception: Manson specifically chose to kill Sharon TatePhoto of Sharon Tate | Michael Ochs Archives/GettyImagesAs Manson’s most famous victim, many people automatically assume that Manson chose to target Sharon Tate and her unborn child. Linda Kasabian, a Manson follower who was present at the Tate murders, testified that she tried to stop the killings as they occurred and later testified against Manson and his group. Simple vengeance may have also played a role, as some have blamed the Tate murders on the fact that the house where they took place was previously home to Melcher. The Manson family was also responsible for the death of Donald “Shorty” Shea, who was a friend of George Spahn, the owner of the Family’s home base of Spahn Ranch.