Casey Rhyn Potter/DNSO

A 40-year-old Crescent City man accused of killing his parents made his first statement in front of a Del Norte County judge on Wednesday.

Casey Rhyn Potter faces two counts of murder with a special allegation for use of a firearm in connection with the deaths of his parents, 77-year-old Brian Gilbert Potter and 71-year-old Sherrie Lynn Potter, both of Crescent City.

Appearing before Judge Robert Cochran on Wednesday, Potter said “this has happened a bunch of times before.”

Potter told Cochran he was unable to reach anyone who could help him hire an attorney and he didn’t have enough savings to obtain legal representation on his own. Cochran appointed attorney Keith Morris to defend Potter.

“This has happened to me like five times before,” Potter told Cochran.

Morris asked Cochran to reserve Potter’s entry of plea so he could speak with his client.

“The defendant’s comments raised red flags in my mind,” Morris told Cochran.

Del Norte County Deputy District Attorney Todd Zocchi represented the prosecution.

Del Norte County Sheriff’s deputies named Potter as a person of interest in connection with the deaths of his parents, whose bodies were discovered Sunday. The bodies of Brian Gilbert Potter and Sherrie Lynn Potter were discovered at a home on Lesina Road north of Crescent City.

Deputies, with help from the Crescent City Police Department, took Potter into custody on Monday. He was reportedly found in possession of a loaded gun at the time of his arrest, according to DNSO.

Before beginning the proceedings, Cochran said he has known the defendant since he was a "young man." Cochran said Potter and his son were once friends, but he hasn't had any interaction with the defendant in years.

Cochran said he was also acquaintances with the victims in the case. But, Cochran said, he felt he could be impartial in the case.

"I don't feel I have to recuse myself," Cochran said.

At Cochran’s suggestion, both Morris and Zocchi agreed to a bail review and entry of plea hearings for Potter to be scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Feb. 27. Potter’s bail is set at $1 million, according to DNSO.

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