More Twists Added To Kevin Harper Trial
Kevin Harper
A Yakima judge plans to appoint a special prosecutor in a brutal triple murder case, to help sort out accusations that a detective eavesdropped on calls between the suspect and his lawyers.
James Faulconer sat in the back of a Yakima courtroom today -- supporting three friends who were brutally murdered.
30-year old Kevin Harper is accused in the 2011 killings of Bill and Pauline Goggin, and Bill's elderly mother Bettye.
He's disappointed that the murder trail has turned into something else altogether.
"I mean basically they've turned this case, this murder case around into a case for his constitutional rights. And as far as I'm concerned, they accomplished nothing today," said Faulconer.
The attorney for Kevin Harper has filed two motions to dismiss the murder case -- one accusing prosecutors of illegally listening to conversations between harper and his attorneys -- and the other claiming prosecutors took too long to reveal evidence.
To get to the bottom of the accusations, the judge decided today to appoint a special prosecutor -- to do their own investigation and report back to the judge.
Defense attorney Peter Mazzone thinks that's unnecessary.
"I think the judge is being as cautious as she can be. We don't think it's necessary for her to do that, but she does, and she makes the rulings," Mazzone.
The defense says it is also considering filing a third motion --- this time, for a change of venue. James Faulconer is upset by that possibility.
"I'm sure they want to do that, but, I don't think it should be that way --- it happened in this county," said Faulconer.
Kevin Harper will be back in court on October 9th.