Will Goggin family murder go unsolved?
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Disbelief and anger still hang over Yakima after Kevin Harper's plea deal. A deal that got him off the hook for last year's brutal beating deaths of three people in West Valley. That leaves Tracy Culton as the only suspect charged with murder. KIMA learned the Yakima Sheriff's Office put someone new in charge of the investigation.
"Who did this," asked Rocky Faulconer a friend of the Goggins.
That's the question on everyone's mind, but we may never know. Harper is off the hook. Leaving only one other person charged with the murders; Tracy Culton.
Prosecutors said she admitted to planning the Goggin burglary. Admitted being there the night Bill, Pauline and Bettye Goggin were beaten to death and admitted to stealing Bettye's jewelry then selling it for drug money. Prosecutors said she didn't admit to murder. Now, that will have to be proven in court.
"Do you feel there is enough evidence to convict Tracy Culton," KIMA asked Stewart Graham the spokesperson for the Yakima’s Sheriff’s Office.
"Oh, I can't answer that," said Graham.
We dug up court documents that said Culton “intentionally assaulted William and/or Pauline Goggin”.
"Is that enough to say she murdered them,” Action News asked. “It said she intentionally assaulted them."
"You're going to have to talk to the prosecutor," said Graham.
However the prosecutors aren't talking. So, we continued to question the deputy. What happens if Tracy Culton isn't found guilty of the murders?
"Then, uh, for us the case would be cleared," said Graham.
Meaning the case would be closed.
The sheriff's office hasn't given up, but has changed its course. KIMA learned the lead detective has been taken off the case. Detectives are now re-questioning witnesses. There are no other suspects at this time. Tracy Culton is scheduled to go on trial in early December.
"Who did this," asked Rocky Faulconer a friend of the Goggins.
That's the question on everyone's mind, but we may never know. Harper is off the hook. Leaving only one other person charged with the murders; Tracy Culton.
Prosecutors said she admitted to planning the Goggin burglary. Admitted being there the night Bill, Pauline and Bettye Goggin were beaten to death and admitted to stealing Bettye's jewelry then selling it for drug money. Prosecutors said she didn't admit to murder. Now, that will have to be proven in court.
"Do you feel there is enough evidence to convict Tracy Culton," KIMA asked Stewart Graham the spokesperson for the Yakima’s Sheriff’s Office.
"Oh, I can't answer that," said Graham.
We dug up court documents that said Culton “intentionally assaulted William and/or Pauline Goggin”.
"Is that enough to say she murdered them,” Action News asked. “It said she intentionally assaulted them."
"You're going to have to talk to the prosecutor," said Graham.
However the prosecutors aren't talking. So, we continued to question the deputy. What happens if Tracy Culton isn't found guilty of the murders?
"Then, uh, for us the case would be cleared," said Graham.
Meaning the case would be closed.
The sheriff's office hasn't given up, but has changed its course. KIMA learned the lead detective has been taken off the case. Detectives are now re-questioning witnesses. There are no other suspects at this time. Tracy Culton is scheduled to go on trial in early December.
That's very strange I had read she was in an emergency room at the time of the murders?Â
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 @Tonya N I am related to the person she was in the ER with -- HOWEVER, the only reason my relative said it was that particular date is because Culton's lawyer told them that it was the same date. A document was never shown proving that it was in fact that date. This relative was re-interviewed today by the new detective in charge. You would think that if there was a medical record that said it was THAT date then her charges would be dropped. I am wondering if her lawyers just said that to tamper with this particular person's testimony, since it was so long ago he or she didn't know the exact date. At the time, Tracey's "wife" was sent away for life so it was thought that she admitted to all this to be with her but has changed her mind. Who knows... We'll find out soon enough. I want to see the hospital discharge papers that show the date and time she was actually there.