It's been a few years since I read 'Helter Skelter', the book about the Manson Family murders written by the prosecutor in the case, but iirc a lot of the defense on Manson's side was the same thing. A lot of implications that he wasn't REALLY a cult leader, his followers had made him a cult leader, he had absolutely NOTHING to do with any of their actions, etc etc
(Not saying that his followers who committed the murders are blameless, of course - just that people try to downplay Manson's control over them.)
Re: Holy victim blaming, Batman!
It's been a few years since I read 'Helter Skelter', the book about the Manson Family murders written by the prosecutor in the case, but iirc a lot of the defense on Manson's side was the same thing. A lot of implications that he wasn't REALLY a cult leader, his followers had made him a cult leader, he had absolutely NOTHING to do with any of their actions, etc etc
(Not saying that his followers who committed the murders are blameless, of course - just that people try to downplay Manson's control over them.)