In Georgetown, Texas, retired District Judge Alfred “Burt” Carnes, 74, and his wife, Susan H. Carnes, 74, were found dead in their home.
Their son, Seth B. Carnes, 45, has been taken into custody and is facing capital murder charges.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call, on the night of January 9, 2024, reporting a shooting at the Carnes’ residence.
Deputies, upon reaching the scene, encountered Seth Carnes leaving the house. He confessed to murdering his parents on the spot, as stated in the sheriff’s office press release.
Judge Carnes was found dead in the living room, having suffered shotgun wounds. Susan Carnes was discovered lifeless in a bedroom above the garage.
Seth, a resident of the converted garage attached to the main house, is currently detained at the Williamson County Jail without bond.
The probable cause arrest affidavit, as seen by the Austin American-Statesman, said Seth Carnes shared his belief that his mother was attempting to administer a sleeping pill to him, a decision he was resistant to. He was asked if there were additional reasons for his violent action against his mother beyond the sleeping pill issue. He responded, “That’s it.” Inquiring about the rationale behind him shooting his father, he replied, “I’ve just been looking for something and figured I would finish the job.” Following this, Seth communicated his preference to end the conversation.
Burt Carnes had a distinguished career as a judge for the Williamson County 368th District Court, serving for nearly a quarter-century.
Judge Carnes, known for his uprightness and management of high-profile cases, was held in high esteem within the legal community. He hailed from a family with deep ties to law enforcement, with members serving as an FBI agent, a Texas Ranger, a Border Patrol agent, and a Wilson County sheriff.
In a 2013 interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Judge Carnes underscored his dedication to upholding the law over politics, stating, “You’ve got to follow the law and, within the bounds of the law, do what you think is right.”
His contributions to the judiciary were recognized by Texas Representative John Carter, who described Carnes as an exemplary judge with a deep understanding of the law and a reputation for fairness and diligence.
Susan Carnes, a well-known figure in the community, was a retired school teacher who had served the Taylor and Georgetown independent school districts.
Commander John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division expressed the community’s shock and grief over this tragic event.
