The Trials of Frank Carson By cover art

The Trials of Frank Carson

By: Los Angeles Times
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  • Summary

  • 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. 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. The Trials of Frank Carson was produced by the Los Angeles Times and Western Sound.
    2021 Los Angeles Times
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Episodes
  • Introducing The Trials of Frank Carson

    Introducing The Trials of Frank Carson
    May 18 2021

    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. 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.
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    2 mins
  • The lawyer and the thief | 1

    The lawyer and the thief | 1
    May 25 2021

    Introducing Frank Carson, Stanislaus County’s most controversial defense attorney, famous for his high-profile courtroom victories and take-no-prisoners style. A longtime nemesis of local law enforcement, he is representing homicide defendants in the very courthouse where he is on trial for murder himself. 

    If you like podcasts like Dirty John, Detective Trapp and The Trials of Frank Carson, subscribe to the L.A. Times. Subscribers will get exclusive bonus episodes of The Trials of Frank Carson that share the story behind this podcast. 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. Subscribe today to listen. Go to latimes.com/exclusive-podcasts. Thanks!
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    42 mins
  • A disappearance | 2

    A disappearance | 2
    May 25 2021

    When a young scrap-metal thief named Korey Kauffman vanishes, local police do not immediately show great interest. Then a parolee named Big Mike Cooley tells a story that gets their attention: Kauffman was last seen venturing onto Frank Carson’s property to steal some pipes. Authorities confront Carson and work to build a case against him.

    If you like podcasts like Dirty John, Detective Trapp and The Trials of Frank Carson, subscribe to the L.A. Times. Subscribers will get exclusive bonus episodes of The Trials of Frank Carson that share the story behind this podcast. 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. Subscribe today to listen. Go to latimes.com/exclusive-podcasts. Thanks!
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    40 mins
True Crime Social Sciences
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  • SM
  • 10-30-21

Captivating

A well done series by the LA Times. The podcast reveals how our justice system is often wrapped up in judge’s and lawyer’s self importance and individual police officer’s need to be right. So much so, they were willing to prosecute an adversarial lawyer. This podcast captured my attention and gave me a perspective of our justice system I hadn’t encountered before.

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Profile Image for Jesus E. Arias

put more episodes please ! Awesome

absolutely engaging, interesting , informative , entertaining. well done incorporate real audios. great great work by Creative Journalists and a great crew of support by La times. production. , music etc. Perfect👌 put more Episodes sooner please!!

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Profile Image for Alex O.

Why does an attorney need to be aggressive?

The story of a no nonsense criminal defense attorney who becomes accused of a bizarre conspiracy involving atleast a dozen of both strangers and relatives that the district attorney demonizes as um... well actually after a full listen I'm still not sure what their claim was. On one hand Frank Carson is an evil manipulative man known publicly for his contempt of authority in his successful career in law... yet on the other he's a blundering, emotional fool to hire people to murder a man caught stealing scrap metal from his yard. Despite the complete lack of physical evidence (just as planned!) and use of non-criminal/experienced operatives when he had actual criminal (past clients) acquaintances to exterminate that homeless man. Not to mention the use of any 'constitutional rights' (e.g. not talking to police sans council) is seen as further incrimination... without any evidence beyond a shifting and darn near coordinated/highly motivated eye witness who is about as trustworthy as any bozo you catch smoking meth bragging about nonsense to his girlfriend.
Why does an attorney need to be aggressive? Because the state expects you to roll over in their pursuit of a conviction.

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Excellent

What a great story.Surpised it hasn't been picked up for TV yet on HBO or Showtime

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RIP Frankie C

I love Frank, from the outset that needs to be understood. If he had done this thing that wouldn't effect my love for him. I wouldn't give a single F and would have helped him do it or cover it up. But he didn't and would never approve of such a thing. The thing is I would simply keep to myself and smile that he got away with a thing. I'm in a few episodes, some I haven't heard yet, and I'd never expose him or myself to scrutiny if anything in the Government's case was true. Because he's innocent, not "not guilty", but INNOCENT I'm vocal. I haven't heard all of the episodes and am honestly concerned about which way Mr. Goffard will ultimately land on Franks innocents. THAT is a testament to his objectivity. I have the same faith in Franks innocence that Frank did and I feel that anyone truly objective can't help but see the truth. Mr. Goffard is a Pro and objective to a fault. Welcome to Scandislaus County!

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  • JS
  • 02-24-22

Compelling and frightening

Stunning. If you care about your rights - and the truth - listen. This happened in Stanislaus County but could happen anywwhere. Frank Carson is a larger than life personality and the police state resented it.

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