There are lots of online items mentioning that Charles Manson’s attorney is asking President Obama for a pardon. Well, he is free to ask, but not only is the President highly unlikely to look favorably on the application, but — unless I’m missing something big — he has no power to pardon Manson. The President has the power to grant “Pardons for Offenses against the United States”, which is to say federal crimes. Manson was convicted in state court of state crimes.