“The Trials of Frank Carson” Update

“The Trials of Frank Carson” Update

From Crimes of the Times by L.A. Times Studios

December 2, 2025 · 26 min · Episode 41

About this episode

The episode discusses the trials and legal battles of attorney Frank Carson, who was acquitted of murder after being framed, and the subsequent settlement from Stanislaus County.

Attorney Frank Carson spent decades defending the accused in California's Central Valley. He made powerful enemies among law enforcement. When they put him on trial for murder, he insisted he was being framed. He was acquitted after a lengthy trial, but his widow says the ordeal destroyed his health and hastened his death. As part of a malicious prosecution lawsuit, the man who once served as the state’s star witness against Carson admitted his testimony was a pack of lies. In April, Stanislaus County agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle the suit—one of the largest payouts of its kind.

Topics covered

  • true crime
  • legal battles
  • malicious prosecution
  • law enforcement
  • health impact
  • settlement

Keywords

  • Frank Carson
  • murder trial
  • malicious prosecution
  • settlement
  • law enforcement
  • California
  • health impact
  • widow
  • testimony

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanislaus County

Places: California, Central Valley

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