Who is Chip Carnes from Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith and what is their importance?

Chip Carnes is another drifter who joined the Lafferty brothers on their road trip prior to the murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. Carnes joins the group when the Laffertys attempt to help Carnes get his car, on which the brakes had failed, to a repair shop. Once they reach the shop, Carnes does not have enough money to fix his car, so he sells it and joins the Laffertys.