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Judge orders trial in hammer killing case

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Published: Nov. 29, 2007 at 6:18 PM

EL CAJON, Calif., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- A judge in California has ordered a trial for a man charged with beating a woman to death with a hammer.

Richard Steven Carson allegedly killed Brittany Hart at his home in Spring Valley, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Her body was found in a recycling bin in Cleveland National Forest three weeks after she disappeared.

Carson's lawyer said his client admits killing Hart but denies it was planned. Stacy Gulley, a deputy public defender, suggested it might have been self defense.

After a two-day hearing in El Cajon Superior Court Judge Allen Preckel found there was enough evidence to try Carson for murder, attempted rape and possession of methamphetamine. He ordered a scheduling hearing Dec. 12.

Deputy District Attorney John Rice said Hart went to Carson's house because he had advertised online for models for a clothing business he was starting.

Topics: John Rice
© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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