Closing Arguments Began in 1997 Bakersfield Rape Trial
Attorneys have presented their final arguments in the trial of 53-year-old Michael Allen Fontes.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Attorneys in Bakersfield have begun closing arguments in the trial of Michael Allen Fontes, who is accused of a 1997 rape and attempted murder. The case centers on an attack that occurred in a field behind a Golden Empire Transit maintenance yard.
Why it matters
The trial represents the culmination of a nearly three-decade legal pursuit triggered by DNA evidence. It addresses an incident that left victim Cari Anderson with permanent injuries prior to her death in 2021.
Michael Allen Fontes, 53, faces charges of rape and attempted murder. A 2023 trial resulted in a hung jury on several counts and an acquittal on sodomy charges.
The players
Michael Allen Fontes
The 53-year-old defendant is currently standing trial for charges of rape and attempted murder.
Cari Anderson
The victim of the 1997 attack survived until her death in 2021 at the age of 63.
The details
Prosecutors have relied on DNA evidence discovered at the scene to link Fontes to the attack on Cari Anderson. The victim survived the 1997 encounter but lived with permanent injuries until she passed away at age 63.
Timeline
November 23, 1997: Cari Anderson was attacked after leaving the Buckhorn Bar.
2021: Michael Allen Fontes was arrested, and victim Cari Anderson died.
2023: The first trial for Fontes ended in a deadlock.
October 13, 2026: Closing arguments began in the current trial.
Legal Context
This case follows the 2023 hung jury in the Fontes case, marking a second attempt to secure a verdict. It highlights how long-standing cold cases are increasingly moving through the court system due to modern genetic testing.
The ongoing trial marks the conclusion of a significant legal process in Bakersfield regarding a decades-old violent crime. Residents may observe increased activity around the courthouse as legal proceedings reach their final stages.
The takeaway
The use of DNA evidence in cold cases continues to reshape how decades-old offenses are brought to trial. The proceedings highlight the impact of modern forensic advancements on long-unresolved violent crimes.
Further reading
Learn more about local investigations in our Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KGET 17.
