NewsLocal News

Actions

Man connected to death of Joseph Lara pleads to manslaughter and drug possession

Posted
and last updated

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — David Williams III, one of the people connected to the death of Joseph Lara, has plead to involuntary manslaughter and a drug possession for sales charge, according to the District Attorney's office.

Williams faces four years for the manslaughter charge and two years for possession, totaling 6 years.

He is scheduled to be in court for sentencing on April 30.

Documents obtained by 23ABC state that Williams was considered a "mid-level drug dealer," who sold cocaine, marijuana and prescription-based medication.

Investigators believe Williams sold drugs to Lara, whose body was found buried in the backyard of a home on Hathaway Avenue in January.

According to documents, Williams and two other people worked together to "transport, desecrate and bury the body."

Dennis Marroquin and Kailee Morrison, the two additional suspects connected to the death of Lara are due back in court later this week.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

05/09/2025

Sunny

98° / 67°

0%

Saturday

05/10/2025

Sunny

102° / 67°

0%

Sunday

05/11/2025

Mostly Sunny

92° / 58°

0%

Monday

05/12/2025

Mostly Sunny

78° / 54°

0%

Tuesday

05/13/2025

Partly Cloudy

73° / 54°

12%

Wednesday

05/14/2025

Sunny

81° / 58°

1%

Thursday

05/15/2025

Sunny

87° / 61°

0%

Friday

05/16/2025

Mostly Sunny

89° / 62°

0%