Attorney: Witness In Carina Saunders' Murder May Have Given False Information

It's been seven months since the murder, but this case is far from going cold. The Bethany Police Chief can only tell us an investigator is working full time to chase down leads in this case.

Tuesday, May 8th 2012, 7:18 pm

By: News 9

Attorney: Witness In Carina Saunders' Murder May Have Given False Information

Blindfolded and kidnapped, a witness claims murderers forced her to watch the brutal killing of Carina Saunders. We first told you police found Saunders' body in a duffle bag in Bethany back in October, 2011.

Since that witness talked with police, News 9 is learning the witness is changing her story.

It's been seven months since the murder, but this case is far from going cold. The Bethany Police Chief can only tell us an investigator is working full time to chase down leads in this case.

At the same time, we're uncovering some new information about the key witness in the case and a possible murder weapon.

The murder of Carina Saunders and several details of her violent death remain a mystery, but at this stage in the investigation, a source told News 9 police are actively looking for a machete.

In a field in Bethany, police discovered Saunders' dismembered body in a duffle bag. Her injuries were so horrific the medical examiner decided to seal the autopsy report.

"One young woman has been found dead, chopped up, so she has every right to be fearful," David Slane said.

Slane is referring to his client, a key witness in the case who claims Jimmy Massey abducted and forced her to watch the torture and killing of Carina Saunders.

Massey is one of four people arrested in connection to the murder. Court documents do not reveal any more of the information provided by the witness. News 9 is learning some of it is false.

"Some of it may have been second hand and not from personal knowledge," Slane said.

Slane said the inaccurate statements could take the investigation in a different direction.

News 9 is learning additional witnesses to the murder are being considered in the investigation.

"Some of it she may have just been repeating, and not wanting to tell who told her. In other words she may have been protecting other witnesses and you say that many time on cases like this," Slane said.

We asked prosecutors if the witness statements would affect the case, but they are staying tight-lipped until the investigation is complete.