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3 Current & Former CHP Officers, Attorney, Among 9 Charged With Murdering Suspected Thief

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — Three current and former California Highway Patrol officers, a prominent criminal defense attorney and four others have been formally charged in connection with the disappearance and death of a Northern California man.

Investigators say attorney Frank Carson arranged the killing of 26-year-old Korey Kauffman. Carson suspected Kauffman and others of stealing valuables stored on his Turlock, California, property.

Kauffman was last seen alive heading to Carson's property on March 30, 2012. Kauffman's body was found a year later near Yosemite National Park.

Carson, his wife, a former CHP officer and two brothers who own a Turlock liquor store were formally charged with murder Tuesday. Two active CHP officers and Carson's stepdaughter were charged with obstruction of justice. A ninth person was previously charged with murder.

Carson's attorney denies the charges.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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