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Show Carnes seeks lighter sentence Charles Alan "Chip" Carnes, convicted of conspiracy in connection con-nection with the July 24, 1984, slaying of Brenda Lafferty and her 15-month old daughter, appeared before Fourth District Judge J. Robert Bullock July 19 to asked for a reduced sentence. Appearing with his attorney, Tom Patton, he asked his prison terms run concurrently rather than consecutively. con-secutively. He was sentenced last fall to serve three consecutive terms of five years to life in the state prison for his involvement in the case. He originally had been charged with two counts of first-degree homicide. The charges, along with one charge of aggravated burglary, were dropped when Carnes agreed to testify for the state against Ron and Dan Lafferty. The Laffertys were later found 1 guilty of the murders with Dan given a life sentence by the jury, and Ron given the death penalty at a later trial. Carnes was sentenced to three terms of five years to life on two charges of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and one aggravated burglary charge. Judge Bullock took the motion under advisement, and said he will rule on the matter this week. Carnes told the Court he is sorry about what happened; that it happened hap-pened the day before his birthday and that it's "not something I'll easily forget." Utah County Attorney Noall T. Wootton says he doesn't object to the motion. He said Carnes was helpful and vital in assisting police in the case, and has lived up to his part of the negotiations. Mr. Patton told the Court Carnes was a follower, not a doer, and followed the lead of Ron and Dan Lafferty. Judge Bullock noted Carnes did not go to the police before or after, the murders were committed and fled to Wendover, Nev. He said he was impressed with Carnes' statement of remorse, however, and' will consider the motion this week. If the sentence is reduced, Carnes could be out of prison within five years. |