The Trials of Frank Carson

Los Angeles Times

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.

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Top 10 The Trials of Frank Carson Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Trials of Frank Carson episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Trials of Frank Carson for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Trials of Frank Carson episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The lawyer and the thief | 1

The Trials of Frank Carson

05/25/21 • 41 min

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!

3 Listeners

A disappearance | 2

The Trials of Frank Carson

05/25/21 • 39 min

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.

2 Listeners

The incredible evolving story of Robert Woody | 3

The Trials of Frank Carson

05/27/21 • 45 min

The discovery of Korey Kauffman’s remains gives the investigation new impetus, and a man named Robert Woody offers a methamphetamine-fueled “confession.” Threatened with the death penalty, he cooperates — and becomes the government’s star witness. But his story changes again and again.

2 Listeners

Prelim | 6

The Trials of Frank Carson

06/15/21 • 39 min

As a marathon preliminary hearing continues, the defendants face mounting pressure to climb aboard “the witness bus” and cut a deal. Frank Carson hits rock bottom, and offers his co-defendants a way out. The prosecution belatedly reveals a cache of undisclosed evidence — with major consequences.

1 Listener

Trial | 7

The Trials of Frank Carson

06/22/21 • 41 min

Defense attorneys offer alternate theories to explain Korey Kauffman’s death, and the trial becomes an endurance test. As Frank Carson’s health deteriorates, he wonders whether he will live to see a verdict. After more than a year in trial, defendants fear that the jury might give up, forcing a mistrial — and that this is exactly what the DA wants.

1 Listener

Prisoners | 5

The Trials of Frank Carson

06/08/21 • 39 min

Frank Carson and his co-defendants confront the charges against them. The government cites years of Carson’s supposedly authority-hating behavior and his “behavioral control issues.” Interviews and wiretap recordings explore how Carson’s wife and stepdaughter, an art student, came to be wrapped up in the case. And former California Highway Patrol Officer Walter Wells endures jail.

1 Listener

Mugshots | 4

The Trials of Frank Carson

06/01/21 • 37 min

After a three-year investigation, Frank Carson and his co-defendants are arrested, accused of a complicated murder-and-coverup conspiracy. Among the accused are three men who worked for the California Highway Patrol. How did an attorney famous for his distrust of local cops stand accused of conspiring with three of them?

1 Listener

Verdicts | 8

The Trials of Frank Carson

06/29/21 • 51 min

The fates of Frank Carson and his co-defendants are decided, and jurors explain their reasoning. The DA’s office is sued for malicious prosecution, but prosecutors stand by their case. An interview with the state’s star witness, now out of lockup, raises troubling questions about the state’s handling of the case.

1 Listener

Introducing: L.A. Crimes

The Trials of Frank Carson

05/21/25 • 10 min

Please enjoy a featured clip of L.A. Times Studio's latest production, L.A. Crimes. On this episode, Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Introducing, Boiling Point: Climate Change Is No Joke. Or Is It?

The Trials of Frank Carson

03/19/25 • 32 min

Introducing a new podcast from LA Times Studios and award-winning L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth, Boiling Point, where Sammy breaks down the many complexities of today's climate challenges and solutions with top experts in the field. In this episode comedian Esteban Gast talks with Sammy about using humor to alleviate climate anxiety, while making clean energy and other environmental solutions more interesting — and even fun. From punchlines to policy, they explore laughter as a powerful tool for change.

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FAQ

How many episodes does The Trials of Frank Carson have?

The Trials of Frank Carson currently has 21 episodes available.

What topics does The Trials of Frank Carson cover?

The podcast is about Society & Culture, True Crime, Personal Journals, Murder, Law, Power, Podcasts, Conspiracy, Courtroom, Politics and California.

What is the most popular episode on The Trials of Frank Carson?

The episode title 'The lawyer and the thief | 1' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on The Trials of Frank Carson?

The average episode length on The Trials of Frank Carson is 26 minutes.

How often are episodes of The Trials of Frank Carson released?

Episodes of The Trials of Frank Carson are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of The Trials of Frank Carson?

The first episode of The Trials of Frank Carson was released on May 18, 2021.

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The Trials of Frank Carson

Los Angeles Times

Top 10 The Trials of Frank Carson Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does The Trials of Frank Carson have?

What topics does The Trials of Frank Carson cover?

What is the most popular episode on The Trials of Frank Carson?

What is the average episode length on The Trials of Frank Carson?

How often are episodes of The Trials of Frank Carson released?

When was the first episode of The Trials of Frank Carson?

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