Investigators and scientists search for evidence at the Barker Ranch in Death Valley

Ted Rowlands
CNN correspondent

We’re up in the remote Barker Ranch in Death Valley for day two of the search for human remains. This is a big day on a lot of people.

For Charles Manson fanatics it may be the day that rumors of murder at the Barker ranch will be verified.

For forensic scientists from the national lab in Oak Rridge, Tennessee, it may be a confirmation of the soil data compiled that prompted them to recommend a dig.

For Sgt. Paul Dostie, the local police detective who along with his dog Buster found the five dig sites a year ago, today may be the day that he feels vindicated for pushing authorities to dig or as he puts, he may end up “feeling like a fool”.

So far no sign of bodies, two of five sites have been excavated turning up a bullet casing and some animal bones.

Tex Watson, Charlie Manson’s right hand man, told us in a letter from jail that he never killed anyone at the Barker Ranch. Tex did admit to taking part in the killings of Sharon Tate and five others as part of Manson’s Helter Skelter murder spree.

The dig is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, so there’s a good chance if there are bodies up there, they’ll find them today.