Large Crowd Packs Modesto Courtroom As Attorney, CHP Officers Face Murder Charges
MODESTO (CBS13) — A high-profile lawyer, three California Highway Patrol officers and five others accused in a bizarre murder plot faced a judge for the first time on Tuesday.
Dozens of frustrated family members, attorneys and members of the media were forced to stand in the hallway outside of a Stanislaus County courtroom after a high-profile face quickly filled it to capacity.
"Family should be priority, and Walter [Wells] needs all the support he can get right now and his family is what he needs, not random people. It irritates me they are not letting me in," his cousin Jason Parker said.
The former CHP officer is one of six accused in the murder of Kory Kauffman, who disappeared back in 2012. Also accused is prominent Modesto attorney Frank Carson, who has defended several clients in the courthouse where he faced charges on Tuesday. Three others, including two CHP officers are charged with conspiracy.
Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney John Goold says no bail was set for the men and one woman charged with murder.
"It's unusual to have a lawyer charged with murder so this is all new ground," he said.
His office will decide in the coming weeks whether or not to seek the death penalty.
Some of Carson's fellow defense attorneys as well as a former Modesto mayor say it's all a case of revenge.
"Frank Carson as won too many cases, he's won too many of these trials and they had no choice but to arrest him," said Carmen Sabatino.
Because of Carson's connections to the court, a Santa Clara County judge had to be brought in. The case was continued until Aug. 25.