Harper Pre-Trial Arguments Continue
Kevin Lee Harper
Pre-trial arguments continue in the case of a Yakima man who is accused of three counts of aggravated first degree murder.
However, Kevin Harper's defense team claims the defense needs additional time to prepare.
Attorney Peter Mazzone argued with a judge concerning her decision to begin pre trial proceedings involving his client, Harper.
Harper is accused of murdering Bill and Pauline Goggin and Bill's mother Elizabeth at their home in February of last year.
Mazzone argues that the pre trial started just hours after the defense received documents that could serve as evidence in the defense, and claims he has not had enough time to read them.
In court today, Mazzone also criticized of both the prosecution and Yakima County Sheriff's Detectives for failing to seek a DNA sample from a co-defendant who is charged with felony murder as an accessory.
The defense is arguing that detectives did not complete a dna test on one of the suspects named Tracy Culton, whom they believe committed the murder.
"We could determine whether or not her DNA was at the crime scene by simply testing her samples, there's no -- there's absolutely no explaination that wasn't done," said Mazzone.
Mazzone has moved to have the case dismissed based on that lack of testing and the prosecutor's mismanagement of other forms of evidence.
The case is now in recess until September 17th, where the judge will decide whether or not to dismiss the case.
Prosecuting attorneys refused refused our request for an interview today.