Insets, left to right: Susan Carnes and Alfred ‘Burt’ Carnes (Ramsey Funeral Home), Seth Carnes (Williamson County Jail). Background: Police at the murder scene on Jan. 8, 2024, near Georgetown, Texas (KVUE/YouTube).
The Texas man who murdered his father, a well-respected judge, and his mother, a teacher of nearly 30 years, at their home outside Austin has admitted guilt, court records show.
Seth B. Carnes, 47, on Monday pleaded guilty to capital murder and will spend the rest of his days behind bars for the 2024 slayings of his parents, retired judge Alfred “Burt” Carnes and Susan H. Carnes, both 74. The younger Carnes was slated to go on trial next month before he entered the plea.
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“This guilty plea ensures that Seth Carnes is held accountable for his actions in this heartbreaking case,” said District Attorney Shawn Dick in a statement released to local media. “Judge Carnes and his wife Susan were beloved members of the community where they lived and served. The loss of their lives in this manner devastated not only their family but many within the community who loved and respected them. While nothing can undo the profound loss suffered by the family of Judge and Mrs. Carnes, this outcome brings a measure of justice and finality to a deeply tragic situation. We hope this resolution can offer some small degree of peace to the family members as they continue to heal.”
As Law&Crime previously reported, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a shooting around 11:45 p.m. Jan. 8, 2024, in the 300 block of County Road 317 in the Georgetown area. When deputies arrived, they saw Seth Carnes leaving the home, a press release said. He allegedly told deputies he had just shot his parents. When deputies went inside, they found the judge and his wife dead from gunshot wounds.
Cops placed Seth Carnes under arrest.
Investigators believe a disagreement escalated into “family violence and death.”
The Austin American-Statesman obtained a copy of the probable cause arrest affidavit which reportedly said Seth Carnes told deputies he killed his mother because he thought she was trying to put a sleeping pill in his mouth which he did not want to take. When asked why he shot his father, he reportedly said: “I was just looking for something and figured I would finish it off.”
He used a Remington 870 shotgun that he kept by his bed.
Seth Carnes lived in a garage apartment at his parents’ home, which is where cops found his mother, the affidavit reportedly said. Cops found Burt Carnes about 5 feet from a recliner in the living room of the main home, the affidavit said.
“This deeply distressing incident has sent shockwaves through our community, particularly considering Alfred “Burt” Carnes’ esteemed position as a retired District Judge. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family affected by this heartbreaking event,” Cmdr. John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division said in a statement.
Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason said the murders have left the community in “a state of shock and sorrow.”
“Mr. Carnes was a respected and admired figure in our community, known for his fair and compassionate approach to justice. His dedication to upholding the law and ensuring the well-being of those around him was truly remarkable. His dedication to justice and unwavering commitment to fairness will be remembered for generations to come,” Gleason said.
According to the American-Statesman, Burt Carnes retired in 2013 after serving 24 years in the 368th District Court in Williamson County. Susan Carnes worked as an elementary school teacher for nearly three decades.
Burt Carnes was known to be strict in the courtroom including enforcing a dress code. He described his judicial philosophy to the American-Statesman when he retired.
“I have a belief that the judge has to control the courtroom, to make it a fair trial,” he said. “If the judge isn’t in control, one of the lawyers is going to be in control and then it isn’t a level playing field. I believe everybody should show respect and follow the rules. That includes dressing appropriately.”
The pair were married for some 52 years, their obituary said. Susan Carnes worked as a teacher in Austin, Taylor and Georgetown.
“She was kind, generous, and patient,” her obituary read. “She also had a stubborn streak that her family attributed to her Czech and German heritage, and she would do anything for those who were privileged to be loved by her.
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