LANCASTER – More than six years after a Lancaster mother and three of her daughters were found dead inside their burning home, a trial is underway in an Antelope Valley courtroom for the man accused of killing them.
Corey Lynn King, now 24, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances and other related felonies in connection with the deaths of 43-year-old Sonya Durfield Harris and her daughters – Ebony Horton, Melinda Harris, and Kayla Clark.
The jury heard opening statements from both sides on Wednesday. Prosecutor Robert Sherwood gave a graphic description of the victims’ injuries, as family members sobbed in the courtroom.
He said Sonya Durfield Harris was stabbed 68 times, her throat was slit and her skull was fractured; while 13-year-old Ebony was “ravaged with over 60 stab wounds,” including seven fatal stab wounds to her chest. Eleven-year-old Melinda was bashed in the head with a metal pot, and then stomped on the head with such force that a shoe imprint was left on her forehead; she was also stabbed at least 12 times, the prosecutor said. Nine-year-old Kayla’s body was so badly burned that the medical examiner couldn’t determine if she had been stabbed, but there was evidence to support that Kayla had been strangled, the prosecutor said.
The four bodies were found by firefighters on Sept. 9, 2008, all in separate areas of a burning home in the 1500 block of East Avenue J-3 in Lancaster, according to the prosecutor. During his opening statement Wednesday, Sherwood outlined the evidence he would present during trial to link King to the murders.
King was a friend of Harris’ out-of-state son, and he had dropped by the family’s home on the eve of the murders, Sherwood told the jury. Harris’ close friend would testify to having drinks with Harris and King in the early morning hours of Sept. 9, 2008, and then leaving while King was still at the home, Sherwood told the jury.
The evidence would show that King inexplicably murdered everyone inside the home, sometime between 2 and 6:30 a.m., then set the home on fire to cover his crimes and fled in the family car, according to the prosecutor. A next door neighbor would testify to hearing screams coming from the home around 6 a.m., the prosecutor said. That same next door neighbor would testify that she saw King in the family’s driveway as she was leaving for work, Sherwood said.
After setting the home on fire, King drove Harris’ car to the East Lancaster Walmart, parked in front of a fire hydrant and left the keys in the ignition, Sherwood told the jury. Surveillance video from different angles would show King entering the Walmart around 7:05 a.m. and then going into the store’s bathroom carrying men’s clothing, Sherwood said.
“The evidence will show he’s changing out of bloodied clothes and into clothing he just stole from Walmart,” Sherwood said.
The jury would hear from a resident in the neighborhood, who spotted Harris’ unlocked car with the keys still in the ignition and assumed the car was being used for a burglary, the prosecutor said. The resident would testify that he tried to thwart the thief’s getaway by moving the car down the street, removing the keys from the ignition and locking the vehicle, Sherwood told the jury.
Video surveillance would show King leaving Walmart carrying a plastic bag, setting off the store’s security alarm, and then being chased by Walmart staff, Sherwood said. Having no access to Harris’ now locked vehicle, King ran into the neighborhood on foot and later ended up in a neighborhood resident’s backyard, the prosecutor told the jury.
That resident would testify that he drove King to Harris’ vehicle and saw King smash the window, remove bottles from the vehicle and take off on foot, Sherwood told the jury.
After firefighter discovered the bodies in the burning home, homicide detectives set up multiple crime scenes and soon linked King to the crimes, Sherwood said. Hours later, King contacted authorities after seeing a news broadcast that named him as a “person of interest,” Sherwood told the jury.
During trial, the jury would hear an hours-long interview between King and homicide detectives, during which King says, “Sh*t got out of hand and some real f*cked up things happened,” Sherwood said.
“We’re not going to dispute alot of that evidence,” King’s defense attorney Felicia Grant said during her opening statement.
Grant told the jury that King’s interview with homicide detectives would not be pleasant to listen to, and she said her client in the interview “comes off as a manipulative ass.”
Grant acknowledged that more than 90% of the prosecution’s evidence was accurate; but she said the evidence still did not support premeditated murder or torture.
“A murderous frenzy is not torture murder,” Grant told the jury. The defense attorney implored the jury to put aside emotions for the victims, to dispassionately weigh the evidence and to find King not guilty of first degree murder and not guilty of torture.
King is charged with four counts of murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders and torture of three of the victims. It is alleged he used a knife to commit the crimes. King is also charged with arson of an inhabited structure and grand theft auto.
The quadruple murder trial is expected to last more than two weeks.
E.Winbush says
People say the most hurtful things when they have absolutely no Idea of the hurt and pain this family goes through on a daily basis to this day this has been my second family for many years and yeah it’s been 6 years of pain and sorrow!! 6 years of wondering who what when where why? And 6 years of picking up the pieces and trying to move on with daily life knowing a chunk of your heart is missing ! Mom with out a daughter, grandma without 3 grand babies, sisters without a sister, 2 daughters and a son without a mom and 3 baby sisters! This trial will ultimately solve all the missing pieces to the crime puzzle that the family has wondered for Soo long about but realize the trauma of this process its like reliving it all over again but 6 years later. Please pray for strength,courage and healing as they travel this path from trial to sentencing!! RIP
Lovely says
Yes, God is real good. And what he did was beyond demonic. He will be punished.
dumbandblind says
#Lovely
How can anyone be “real good” to allow this from happening, worse do nothing?
Jeff says
I remember this case like it was yesterday. My wife and I drove past that home where it was once a home, and we cried and couldn’t believe that such a thing could take place from a monster. We prayed for the family and will continue to keep them in our prayers. I am sooo sorry for the family as those poor people suffered because of lunatic that should be shot.
God Bless you and your family and hope all of the children and grandma rest in peace. Love Jeff
manny says
This whole situation still seems like a dream. I remember giving Ebony a ride home 2 days
before they were brutally murdered.I remember being 13 years old and playing outside with
them, we did not have a care in the world. I’m 21 and Ebony would be turning 20 next month
I think that for people who truly cared about the family
closure is finally arriving. My prayers go out to their family and I’m glad they are finally putting
away that sick person, and hopefully for the rest of his life.
GodsAppointed says
God has the “Greatest” judgement of all…His judgement is “JUST” and if Corey did these horrific crimes then his soul shall endure the exact same torture and pain he caused to these innocent people….”100 times worse!!!! Repeatedly for eternity!!!! This is the kinda torment that hell awaits for these kinda heartless, demonized, puppets!!! Jesus!!! Jesus!!! Jesus!!!!
God's Hammer says
It’s important to remember that we are not to judge… only God can. Also, why do all of the kids have different last names?
ThatOneChick says
Why should it matter why all the kids have different last names? There are many blended families throughout the US. This is not uncommon. That question IMO was unnecessary.
bird says
God’s Hammer—Your question is irrelevant, and you should also be ashamed of yourself.
Letlow says
Thank you! I was thinking the same thing. SHAME on this so called person of God. And imagine the irony of him/her telling people not to judge and then indirectly and hypocritically judging this poor dead woman by asking why the children have different last names. Smh… Go have a seat God’s Hammer!!
JumpinJackFlash says
What’s irrelevant? The woman had an 18 year old male in for “Drinks”, which is illegal.
Yeah, this guy is a monster and deserves to have his head stomped in, but when will women think about the safety of their children and not INVITE the monster in for “Drinks”.
There was a time this behavior would have been considered “Shameful”. Society overlooks way too much today and maybe its time to get back to old fashioned things like getting married before pregnancy and not having children out of wedlock. Maybe stay off the welfare, the drugs and drinking. Don’t give drinks to under-age men and women or have them stay in the house with little girls.
Maybe I’m an A-hole for thinking about these things.
eva jefferson says
Hello plz keep all your rude comments to your self thank you…
This is my family your talking about
Vce says
Really, what do last names have to do with this cold hearted murder!
jontrey says
Why do you want to know why the 3 children have different last names ?
Sickofit says
We euthanize dogs that do less to people than he did. I’m sick of these “people” doing horrible things to others than think they don’t deserved to be punished. Sickening scumbag.
frank says
what a dirty piece of [removed]
Irena says
I am confused with some details:
Why did the neighbor admitted to hearing screams yet continued on with her morning routine. Why didn’t she call 911?
Why would someone move a car they suspected was being used in a crime? Again why not call the police?
Is it that easy to waltz into Walmart covered in blood, steal clothes and walk out?
Why would the neighbor drive the suspect to his car in the first place? There is no mention of being threatened.
KayDee says
Patience my dear Watson… Those fine details will come out during trial when those witnesses actual take the stand and testify. The opening statement is just a chance for the attorneys to give a rundown of the evidence, not settle all the questions in the case. And who is to say those people didn’t call police? You should know by now that the cops in this town don’t respond for hours unless you actually see the crime in the act. Smh…
Irena says
Telling the dispatcher that they saw a blood soaked man leaving the house after hearing screams would get deputies there.
I am aware that the opening arguments are more fluff then anything, setting the mood so to speak.
Letlow says
Let’s not get carried away. Y’all got this man as blood soaked and the neighbor as hearing blood curdling screams. I don’t think that was the case. I doubt the man was dripping in blood, and if you have been to Wal-Mart any time between the hours of 11 PM and 8 AM then you know what kind of crap you see in there. This man would fit right in. As for the screams, you don’t know what kind of screaming was coming from the home. Maybe it wasn’t enough to arise suspicion at the time. We just don’t know! Questioning why people didn’t call police is an indirect way of blaming witnesses when you should be blaming the culprits.
Cheryl says
You asking the same question I asked….have the society we live have become so used to things that hearing screams do not make you call the police…..or seeing a car you don’t think to call the police? Everything he did was red flags…..Man I tell people all the time don’t get hurt cause people going to just stand there and pull out their phones….sad
Nancy P says
I had so many of those same questions. Then I remembered where it happened. I was new to the AV when this crime happened and was horrified by the violence.
Hearing screams, that had to be blood curling screams…moving the car?
For the guy to walk into a Walmart, straight through the men’s clothes, picking up items and going into the bathroom? I don’t doubt that a bit. People don’t look at eachother. Everyone wants to mind their own business in this town. Very few are interested in finding out what’s going on when a neighbor screams repeatedly (calling the cops). The remarks are usually about minding your own business and not wanting to get involved.
I think about this family from time to time. What a horrible night that must have been for those little girls and that mom.
Butifole says
I totally agree with you on that. It doesn’t make no sense at all smh. If I heard screaming from my neighbors home, I would of called the police, especially if the vs screams were horrified. It’s common sense. Something’s is not adding upbal all.
Sammy says
Being a liberal we must understand and feel sorry for this person. Maybe he had a hard childhood, or maybe his Mom didn’t le him stay up late. He still has a chance to be a productive citizen.
really? says
are you FREAKING SERIOUS?? I had a hard childhood and I’m not going around killing people actually I made myself a productive citizen I went to school I have a career I have four children that I’m raising by myself and none of them are axe murderers.. SMDH
Irena says
I think perhaps Sammy’s comment was meant as sarcasm.
VEE says
[removed] him this coward deserves to get stabb and raped in jail,you dont do [removed] like this to kids and inoccent women bottom line!this is y dont i accept or allow anybody around my family ckuz u never no,i dont let my sisters bring they boy friends to my moms house for nothing i dont care if its holidays or not,[removed] if u aint married to this [removed] for sum years then he aint welcome,an to all u single ladys ou there im tell yall like i tell my sis arm urself.my sisters think im always going to the extreme or being negative i tell them look at the news,all u see is women being raped kiddnapp and bared in sum [removed] woods sumwhere,thats negative so i speak reality not no fiction [removed],u women need to stop living in a fearytail world an realize understand and take heed to wats going on in the world we live in,[removed]the police they only come after the damage has been dune.go get ur gun licenes or permit so u can protect u and urs!u kan goto any gun store or pwan shop that sales gun pay 50 cent for the book,the boom is the size of a dmv driving book with less pages,read that then goto where ever u get book from then take the test an backround!after 10 days your backround will b completed and u can go buy any gun of choice.i hope you buy the biggest one in there….becareful outhere the world is only gettin worst!!!!!!
Carmen says
Patrick? Lol
Cindy says
really Sammy? If he still has a chance to be a productive citizen after all this, we will send him to work for you, live with you, etc.
[removed]!
Sally says
Liberal??? Do you know how many black families have children who despite pull a 4.0? I had a woman across the street, her daughter was brilliant and her kids never got in trouble though her husband beat her so hard in the head she bled into the brain and eventually was paralyzed from the bleeding and lost sight in her eyes.
What happened to him? Absolutely nothing. Never arrested. What did she do to deserve it? Just drew breath, loveliest lady in personality and in face and figure you could ever hope to see.
People who do this to others are what prisons were made for. Let’s not cry in our milk and let this guy out because you fell sorry for him! Where is you feel bad for the victims?
You want him to be a productive citizen, you want him to live with you and you be responsible when he kills your family too?
Andale says
You are an idiot if you think politicizing every single news story is going to prove anything.
lisa says
I remember this. They lived down the street from my house. I don’t understand why it took so long to try this case. This man needs to rot in jail for the rest of his life and let the memories destroy him.
Cheryl says
He was trying to play crazy and got caught up…God is good
Andale says
There is no god. Period. And if there were, why would you want to worship something that let three innocent children die in such a horrific and painful way? There is no god.
Cheryl says
Two of the little girls are my cousin….I had to endure this pain in real life……I hope they give him life in a cell by himself…..death is too easy….Nee nee and Cassandra I love you guys…stay strong..do you know how it feels to go to a funeral for for three little girls and they mother….Sony did not deserve this death
eva jefferson says
One of the girls in the death and the mom are my family so trust we went threw a lot if pain and I’m happy to say I’m blessed that are family finally got some justice
AV1990 says
Sick mother [removed] needs to get the death penalty.
a old friend says
Its a sad story. I went to school with Cory & this story does not match up at all to the person I once knew. He was kind , carrying and had a heart of gold. He was like a brother. Its crazy how the devil can invade your life and change it. I pray the family of the mother & children have peace now that this trial is coming to a close and I also pray for Cory’s family. We all must understand his actions have not only hurt one family but forever hurt and shamed his own.
Prayers going up.
T says
I remember when this happen and to this day it still breaks my heart into a million pieces when I hear what he did to these little girls and there mom. This really should be a capital murder case by all means.
Anonymous says
Does Corey King have a few brothers an sisters sum of the brothers are named Chris and Cory and his moms name is Roslin or something??? Is this the same family of Cory King???
Cheryl says
No disrespect to you…but this is my family, we don’t give a f### if you want to know if this is the right Cory…this question is totally disrespectful to my family…..get the f out of here
Quincy Anthony says
Calm your ass down. Your alleged family member Cory is going to rot behind prison walls where he belongs. With good graces he’ll rot in the Earth if given the death penalty. You and your “family” if it can even be called that should all be ashamed.
ThatOneChick says
I don’t think Cory is her family. If she is the Cheryl from 7 comments above then I believe she was speaking about the victims being her family. So….you failed.
Quincy Anthony says
I SAID SHUT UP! I don’t wanna hear your non-sense. Stop defending thugs.
Elisa says
This is one of my dearest friends little sisters and mother. Please keep them in your prayers and pray he get his deserves. Killing these amazing smart girls way before their time. This family is full of love and support we all need to stand up for this family. To C, N, and J we all are here to support you.
James Young says
Sometimes you just read things that leave you at a loss for words but feel you with a sea of sorrowful emotions.
This is one of the stories. Imagining the horror that these girls and their mother endured that fateful morning is heart wrenching. Those beautiful young girls had their whole lives ahead of them and some lunatic comes and viciously takes them away. If this guy is indeed guilty I don’t think I could be satisfied with anything less than the death penalty. I don’t wanna hear any anti-death penalty talk from you liberals right now. If this doesn’t warrant the punishment than what does? This is insane that the family has had to go through this horrible & unspeakable ordeal & I send my deepest heart felt condolences to them.
Selfsufficient says
He should be put to death asap
sad day says
They didn’t even list all the stuff this bastered did. Someone I know was part of the corner crew and they shared all the demoinc things this creatuer from hell did. I don’t understand why it took 6 years but he will pay.
justice says
what was the corner crew? and what more did he do to them, and how would the corner crew know. I find it hard to believe that one person did this by themselves, I believe it’s a lot more to the story to be reviled. Sony was a fighter and them girls was very smart, after they seen they could not help there mom, they would have got out of that house to get help, not to mention they we’re all killed in different parts of the house and one was in the garage if she made it to the garage she could have made it out the front door. if she was able to.