Hi, this is Christopher Gafford. I'm at work putting together a new narrative series set to drop in the fall.

In the meantime, I wanted to reintroduce you to the Trials of Frank Carson, the story of a criminal defense attorney who was put on trial for murder.

Thanks for listening, and please rate and subscribe.

On the weekend before the Marathon courtroom battle was to start, a feeler was extended to the alleged godfather at the heart of the murder plot.

It came to Frank Carson through his attorney, Percy Martinez, who had been picking up evidence from the DA's office when he says the prosecutor asked if Carson might be willing to cop a plea.

He says Carson was given a big incentive. The charges would be dropped against his wife, Georgia,

and stepped out her Christina.

I said, are you crazy?

They go, we could come up with something.

I went told Frank, I said, they made you an offer.

They want you to cooperate against the outlaws.

Chrissy and Georgia will get out immediately.

Carson's response was a profane snarl.

No chance. This was characteristic of Carson, irascible and obstinately determined to fight to the end.

I asked the DA about the overtures described by the defense, and the prosecutor said no formal plea offers were made.

As the preliminary hearing got underway in Modesto in October 2008, said no formal plea offers were made.

As the preliminary hearing got underway in Modesto in October 2015, Frank Carson sat with his co-defendants, his wife and stepdaughter,

Bobby Atwal and his brother Dee, who ran the Poppancork liquor store,

and former CHP officer Walter Wells.

Two other accused highway patrolmen would have their cases heard later.

Judge Barbara Zunaga would have to decide whether there was enough evidence to hold the

defendants for trial. The government just had to convince her that there was probable cause

...