First witness testifies in preliminary hearing for Benjamin Carter who called LOCO instead of his defense attorney

Benjamin Carter's sister-in law, Margaret Bitter, was the first witness to testify for the People this morning in a preliminary hearing held in Courtroom 4. The preliminary that started mid-morning may continue tomorrow. DDA Luke Brownfield is prosecuting the case with Detective Franco assigned as lead investigator. Michael Acosta represents Carter who was in court this morning in an orange jumpsuit.

Carter is the fugitive who called LOCO to tell his story while on the run from law enforcement instead of his defense attorney. 

On 04/18/2014 the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a possible homicide involving a firearm that occurred in the Southern Humboldt area. The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating this allegation with the assistance from the District Attorney Investigator’s Office, Department of Justice (DOJ), Arson Task Force, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). On 04-18-2014 Humboldt County Sheriff Office Detectives arrested Melinda Elaine Carter age 41 for conspiracy and accessory to a homicide, auto theft and arson. 

The male victim was identified by the Coroner’s Office as Zackery Jacob Chapman age 36 from Redway. Chapman appeared to have died from the result of a gunshot wound. 


On 04-19-2014 the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office along with Humboldt County Arson Task Force and the California Department of Justice processed the homicide scene, which was located on a piece of property off Conic Creek, Garberville. A trailer on the property had been burned down after the homicide in an attempt to conceal evidence where the homicide occurred. 

No media reporter was in the courtroom for this preliminary hearing. I stayed for part of Bitter's testimony in which she described the events leading to Chapman's death. A lot of "I don't recalls" and she said she took a shower and changed clothes before she left the trailer. All this while Ben and Melinda Carter were allegedly disposing the body and Chapman's coat. 

Mr. Brownfield was still questioning Bitter at 10:45. As she testified, Benjamin Carter smiled and whispered at times to his attorney who took notes.