Benjamin Carter, the 34-year-old Southern Humboldt man who has admitted shooting and killing Zachery Jacob Chapman during an altercation near Garberville in April 2014, appeared in court this afternoon, slouching and appearing to smirk as a trial date was set for July 6.

Carter, who reached out to the Outpost while on the run to tell his side of the story, stands accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm after a murder charge was dropped last year. Carter has said he acted in self defense, and the District Attorney’s Office ultimately found merit in that argument.

Carter’s attorney, Michael Acosta, said today that the defense has offered a plea deal that would result in a three-year sentence. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees confirmed in court that the offer remains on the table.

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