Advertisement

Introducing: ‘The Trials of Frank Carson’

Art for "The Trials of Frank Carson" podcast
“The Trials of Frank Carson” is an eight-episode true crime podcast hosted by Times reporter Christopher Goffard.
(Key art by Katy Kirton)
Share via

From Christopher Goffard, the Los Angeles Times reporter and host behind the hit podcasts “Dirty John” and “Detective Trapp,” comes a new eight-episode true crime podcast, “The Trials of Frank Carson.”

“The Trials of Frank Carson” is a story of power, politics and the law in California’s Central Valley. Frank Carson was Stanislaus County’s most controversial defense attorney, a wizard with juries and a courtroom brawler with an unapologetically caustic style. He racked up legal wins for decades. He was the terror of police and prosecutors, often accusing them personally of corruption.

Three California Highway Patrol officers, a Modesto criminal defense attorney and five others have been arrested in connection with the 2012 killing of Korey Kauffman, a 26-year-old Turlock resident whose body was found more than a year later by hunters in a remote Mariposa County forest.

When a small-time thief disappeared, police — some of them Carson’s longtime adversaries — launched a massive investigation into a spectral underworld of street hustlers, junkies and snitches. Carson was charged with murder, accused of masterminding a conspiracy. It would be one of the longest criminal trials in California history, with the flinty veteran of so many courtroom wars on trial for his life.

Advertisement

Our first two episodes premiere May 25. To listen and subscribe, find us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Subscribe now to get exclusive bonus episodes that will give you the story behind this show. We will share interviews with experts who will weigh in on the case and play extra tape that sheds light on important parts of our story. Existing LA Times subscribers can access the bonus episodes here.

Credits

“The Trials of Frank Carson” is written and hosted by Christopher Goffard. Our producers are Lori Galarreta, Sabrina Fang and Cameron Kell. Alex MacInnis is our composer and sound designer. Our mix engineer is Mischa Stanton. Our editor is Steve Clow. Our executive producers are Ben Adair at Western Sound and Abbie Fentress Swanson at The Times. Special thanks to Shelby Grad, Julia Turner, Kimi Yoshino, Lora Victorio, David Carrillo Peñaloza, Mary Kate Metiver, Alison Farias and Clint Schaff.
Advertisement