Why did prosecutors argue that Charles Manson ordered the murders to start a race war?

During the 1970–71 trial, prosecutors argued that Charles Manson ordered the Tate-LaBianca murders to incite an apocalyptic race war he termed "Helter Skelter," a name he borrowed from a Beatles song.12

Manson preached to his followers that this conflict would devastate the United States and ultimately leave his cult in a position of dominant power. By staging these gruesome crimes, prosecutors contended that Manson intended to trigger this societal collapse.123

While this theory served as the official explanation during the trial, it is important to note that it has been challenged by later commentators and some former Family members. Other proposed motives include an attempt to free fellow cult member Bobby Beausoleil by staging copycat murders to mislead authorities, a desire to frighten music producer Terry Melcher, or a general intent to commit a crime that would shock the world.41