Bunty moving for dismissal of case

SANDPOINT — A Cocolalla man’s effort to have murder and robbery charges against him dismissed is under way in California, court records show.

A judge in San Bernardino County Superior Court began hearing Christian Leonard Bunty’s motion to dismiss on Friday. The court heard testimony from two witnesses called by the defense, including a Barstow Police detective.

Spartan court minutes found online do not specify what the witnesses testified about and media outlets in California do not appear to be covering the proceedings.

The hearing is slated to continue on Jan. 10, 2014, court records indicate.

Bunty, 41, and two alleged accomplices have been implicated in the disappearance of two men in Barstow in 1995. The alleged victims are presumed dead, although their remains are still unaccounted for.

Barstow Police assert that the alleged victims were likely buried in a California desert after being robbed of money that they intended to use to purchase ephedrine, an ingredient used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Detectives allege the drug deal was a ruse to lure the victims into a remote area so they could be robbed and killed.

James Linzy Franklin, 42, and Steven Dondero, 37, are also implicated in the cold-case killings. They, along with Bunty, remain jailed while awaiting trial.

Bunty was arrested in Sagle in late 2012, after living in Idaho for nearly 20 years. Aside from some minor scrapes with the law, Bunty has lived a largely crime-free life since relocating to Idaho and starting an excavation business.

Friends and family have vigorously insist Bunty is innocent and contend that he is being framed by authorities in California and railroaded by local media coverage of the case.

Bunty is charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree robbery. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without parole.

Bunty is being held without bail at the Adelanto Detention Center.