An unusual murder mystery is unfolding in Palm Springs, with one of five defendants agreeing to testify against his co-defendants.  The case involves the murder of an elderly gay art dealer, and allegations that the suspects concealed his death while stealing his money.

The body of the victim is still missing, however the district attorney in Riverside County has obtained a guilty plea in the death of Clifford Lambert.  30-year-old Craig McCarthy has confessed to conspiracy to commit ID theft, and more serious crimes–  including, robbery, carjacking, burglary assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft and accessory to murder. It surrounds the December 2008 homicide of Clifford Lambert, 74, of Palm Springs.

According to prosecutors, Lambert was an out gay Palm Springs retiree with enough cash and assets to make him a target for five men who met him online, and later killed him.  After his death Lambert’s wealth was liquidated. The men–most of them also gay — are accused of using fake power of attorney documents to drain his bank accounts and charge up his credit cards.

McCarthy’s plea will likely spare him the possibility of life in prison, in exchange for testifying against his co-defendants. McCarthy will be sentenced in January, but before then– a trial will begin against the remaining four suspects.  And, under California law, it’s McCarthy’s testimony that could prove the case, a difficult legal challenge without the victim’s body.

It’s alleged that Kaushal Niroula, 28, (pictured) was the mastermind of the crime; a gay man who befriended Lambert. Police think Lambert was stabbed to death in his home, and that his body was buried somewhere in the desert.

Jury selection is set to start on September 7th.

–InstantCenter.com news service

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

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