Fry's body was not identified until this spring. Karr apparently feared the same might happen to him. So far, neither man has been charged in connection with crimes in the O'Hair or Fry case. Both men were arrested in late March after federal agents raided their apartments searching for evidence in the O'Hair investigation. Waters and Karr are charged with being ex-cons in possession of ammunition or firearms.
Waters plead guilty last month to two counts of the charge and is awaiting sentencing.
He could be sentenced to as much as 20 years in federal prison. Karr's trial is expected later this summer, but first the judge must resolve some thorny issues raised by Helfrick. In one motion, Helfrick is demanding federal and state authorities in Texas turn over all material they have about Waters' propensity toward threats and violence, a request they are certain to resist. The government has been investigating Mr. Waters for some time. They have interviewed numerous witnesses about Mr. Waters.