Robert D. Chase: Considering key witness has recanted, why is Carson still on trial?
Re “Key witness recants his statements in Kauffman killing case” (Page 3A, July 30): After receiving today’s news that Robert Lee Woody has recanted his statement that he saw Frank Carson and former CHP officer Walter Wells present when he saw Korey Kauffman being killed, I have some questions.
▪ How long has the district attorney known Woody recanted his statement that Carson and Wells were present when Kauffman was killed?
▪ Why is Carson still in custody?
▪ Why is Wells still in custody?
▪ Why hasn’t the DA dismissed the charges?
▪ Why hasn’t DA Birgit Fladager resigned?
The rules of professional responsibility require prosecutors to fully investigate cases before they are issued. The case was deeply flawed from the start. Meth freaks such as Woody are inherently unreliable witnesses. There was no reason for the DA to believe anything this sniveler said in his attempt to get a deal after his arrest.
Robert D. Chase, attorney, Modesto
This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Robert D. Chase: Considering key witness has recanted, why is Carson still on trial?."