Laurence Merrick dating history

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Laurence Merrick (April 22, 1926 – January 26, 1977) was an American film director and author. He is best known for co-directing the Oscar nominated documentary Manson (film) in 1973 with Robert Hendrickson. Sharon Tate, one of the victims in the Manson murders, was a former student at Merrick's Academy of Dramatic Arts. His later business was Merrick Studios, 870 N. Vine St. in Hollywood. It was a low-cost acting school, with several students attending via the GI Bill. Merrick was killed by a gunman on January 26, 1977.He was shot in the back in the carpark of his acting school.Murder was unsolved for over four years until October 1981 when Dennis Mignano,35 of San Jose,California confessed to his murder.He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental hospital.An unemployed would be actor and singer with a long history of psychiatric problems Mignano contended that he had auditioned at Merricks school and that during the audition black magic spells were cast upon him that later caused him problems.