Oakland law firm prevails in long battle against corruption but too late for the defendent

Frank Carson, a well-known criminal defense attorney, was wrongfully accused of conspiracy to murder a young drug addict, Korey Kauffman. The case against him relied on dubious evidence, primarily the coerced testimony of a fellow addict, Robert Woody, who was interrogated for hours under threat of severe consequences. After enduring a lengthy legal process, Carson and his co-defendants were acquitted, revealing the profound flaws in the district attorney's case. Recently, Stanislaus County agreed to pay $22. 5 million to Carson and seven others for violations of their civil rights, marking a significant acknowledgment of the injustices they faced.

Attorney Gary Gwilliam criticized the prosecution's actions as a "witch hunt," emphasizing the case's implications for those without Carson's connections. The extensive preliminary hearings lasted 18 months, among the longest in California history, and resulted in the dismissal of charges against some co-defendants due to lack of evidence. This case underscores the urgent need for reforms in prosecutorial conduct and accountability within law enforcement. The settlement, while providing some measure of justice, comes too late for Carson, who faced years of unwarranted legal troubles.