Defense focuses on inconsistencies from defendant’s mother in Korey Kauffman murder case

A defense attorney on Tuesday asked the mother of a defendant in the Korey Kauffman murder case whether a prosecution investigator’s questions were suggesting how she should answer.

Attorney Jesse Garcia cross-examined Beverly Woody, mother of Robert Lee Woody, about investigator Kirk Bunch questioning her in February 2014. Garcia asked her whether Bunch was giving her information learned during the murder investigation and asking her to confirm it.

“No, he wasn’t giving me answers,” Beverly Woody said.

Her son is charged with murder in Kauffman’s March 2012 disappearance and death. His remains were found in August 2013 in Stanislaus National Forest in Mariposa County.

Authorities believe Frank Carson, a prominent Modesto attorney, led a criminal conspiracy to thwart thieves from repeatedly stealing antiques and scrap metal. He is accused of recruiting people to send a violent message, which led to Kauffman’s death.

Beverly Woody’s testimony is part of a lengthy preliminary hearing for Carson and five co-defendants charged in Kauffman’s slaying. Her son is being prosecuted separately and is expected to receive a plea deal in exchange for his testimony.

In response to an objection to his questions, Garcia argued that it appears the mother’s statements have been heavily influenced by information she learned from investigators and news reports.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Marlisa Ferreira told the judge that Beverly Woody has repeatedly testified that she received information about Kauffman’s death from her son.

“All I know is that my son told me, and it’s the truth. And these people here know it’s the truth,” Beverly Woody said while saying she couldn’t remember exactly when her son first spoke to her about Kauffman’s death.

She says her son told her Kauffman was killed on Carson’s property. In a tape recording played in court, she is heard telling Bunch that Kauffman was killed on his own property. Then, Bunch is heard correcting her and saying Kauffman was killed on Carson’s property.

In the recording, Bunch is heard telling her that Robert Woody had details about Kauffman’s death that only the killer would know. But his mother testified Tuesday that she doesn’t remember Bunch telling her that, even after listening to the recording in court. She said the audio quality was bad, so it was hard to hear what was said.

Prosecution investigator Steve Jacobson questioned Beverly Woody again in August, a few days after her son decided to cooperate with authorities and the remaining defendants were arrested. The interview also was recorded and played in the courtroom.

The mother testified that she remembers telling Jacobson that Robert’s then-girlfriend, Robin, told her that Kauffman had been beaten up and shot the night he went missing. The girlfriend, who has since died, purportedly wrote a letter to Kauffman’s family, telling them how he died. Woody’s mother said she wanted to explain to them what happened before she died.

In the August interview, Jacobson told Woody’s mother that Kauffman’s fingers and toes had been cut off before his remains were found. The mother testified that her son told her about cutting off the fingers and toes on the night he returned home from burying Kauffman’s body near the Pop-N-Cork liquor store in Turlock.

The store is owned and operated by brothers Baljit Athwal and Daljit Atwal, who also are charged with murder in Kauffman’s slaying. Beverly Woody testified that her son and Baljit Athwal buried the body near the store, where it remained until Daljit Atwal wanted the remains unearthed and taken away.

“I wish it had never happened to that poor kid,” Beverly Woody said in court. “And I wish my son had told the truth when it happened.”

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Defense focuses on inconsistencies from defendant’s mother in Korey Kauffman murder case."