Trio makes initial court appearance to face Marin, SF murder charges

Three suspects accused of murdering a yoga instructor and a Canadian tourist had their arraignment postponed in court on Wednesday.

Morrison Lampley, Sean Angold and Lila Alligood were expected to be arraigned on first-degree murder charges.

The arraignment was moved to Oct. 26 to allow time for Angold and Alligood to obtain attorneys. David Brown with the Marin County Public Defender’s Office is representing Lampley.

The suspects were brought into court wearing red and white stripped jumpsuits with their hands chained to their waist. Lampley and Angold sat stone-faced, but Alligood appeared to be nervous and scared.

James Nielsen, Program Administrator with Alternate Defenders Inc., sat with Alligood. He said he told her to take a deep breath to calm down and explained an attorney would be assigned to her.

“She turned 18 in July and this is overwhelming,” Nielsen said of Alligood’s emotions.

The trio is accused of murdering therapist and yoga instructor Steven Carter of Fairfax on a popular hiking trail on Oct. 5. Carter’s Doberman Pinscher was also shot, but survived.

The group is also accused of murdering Canadian tourist Audrey Carey at Golden Gate Park on Oct. 2.

In a formal complaint, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office identified only Lampley as the shooter in each murder. Lampley allegedly used a stolen Smith and Wesson in the murders.

He is also charged with animal cruelty for shooting Carter’s dog.

Brown said he planned to mount a “vigorous and ethical defense for our young client.” They declined to make further statements before reviewing the prosecutions discovery.

“We do ask everyone to remember that media coverage is not evidence and all three defendants are still entitled to presumption of innocence,” Brown said.

The judge consulted with prosecutors and the defense about whether or not to allow cameras into the courtroom. Prosecutors argued the identities of the suspects could be an issue. The Marin County District

Attorney office also declined to allow media into the courtroom.

“We just do not want to do anything to potentially further complicate issues having to do with identification if that becomes an issue,” Ed Berberian, Marin County District Attorney, said.

There is a possibility a gag order couple be granted in the case that would prevent attorneys from discussing the case with the public.