Erik Thomas Pearson, a 21-year old resident of Burbank, and 26-year old Donald Thurman of Burbank, were arraigned today at Los Angeles Superior Court, Pasadena, in Department D. They were both charged with one count each of capital murder, with the special circumstances of robbery and lying in wait.
The pair allegedly beat Carter to death, buried his body in the Angeles Forest, and stole his identity.
Carter’s body was found Jan. 19, 2013, off Big Tujunga Canyon Road after a hiker initially discovered a blood trail on Jan. 8. Sheriff’s deputies conducted an investigation and found the 25-year old’s remains several hundred yards from the site of the blood trail.
Pearson and Thurman are being held without bail. It is yet to be determined whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
Booking photos will not be released because the investigation is on-going.
2 Charged in Murder of Man Found in Shallow Grave
