It was the times. The girls were all runaways and looking to join groups or communes. I think he picked the ones out that looked the most needy. He had lots of drugs and kept them stoned. He mesmerized them into thinking there would be a race war. Apparently he was a smooth talker. But I agree. I don’t care how many drugs you give me, if it’s not already in my nature by the age of 18 or so to kill, I don’t see how he talked them into it.