All Posts Tagged With: "Cory Courtright"
More details on Leah Freeman case and prosecution
The World has two good pieces up, the first reveals more specifics about the process of bringing charges against Nicholas McGuffin and moving forward.
Although McGuffin hopes to be released while he awaits trial, Frasier said he can’t recall a single case in his 26 years in prosecution in which a judge released a homicide suspect on his own recognizance.
He also said a motion for a change of venue from the defense would be expected in such a case. However, he has withheld information – including Leah’s cause of death – to improve prospects of gathering an impartial and fair jury.
“The more I talk about the facts – the more people learn – it becomes harder to pick a fair and impartial jury,” Frasier said.
The second article also takes note of the exchange between McGuffin’s mother and Cory Courtright, mother of the victim.
On Tuesday prior to McGuffin’s arraignment, Courtright was waiting outside Judge Michael Gillespie’s courtroom when she saw corrections officers lead McGuffin to the defendant’s table. She began to shake and cry.
From behind her, Kathleen McGuffin – the defendant’s mother – said, “Cry all you want, Cory, he’s innocent,” in front of family members and some reporters.
“Don’t talk to me ever,” Courtright recalled responding.
Thank goodness I am not the only person writing about or recording the arraignment to witness it. This makes three different references to the exchange besides this blog so clearly I am not alone in questioning the conduct of Kathleen McGuffin.
More on emotionally charged McGuffin arraignment in Freeman murder UPDATED
The Guard has some more reaction from both the Freeman and McGuffin family and mentions the odd verbal ‘assault’ issued by Kathleen McGuffin, Nick McGuffin’s mother.
Shackled, McGuffin was already crying as sheriff’s deputies led him into Coos County Circuit Judge Michael Gillespie’s courtroom for arraignment. He asked for help as he sat down and winced as his knees bent. Then he bowed his head and wept softly, straining to wipe the tears from his face with his cuffed hands. He shook, uncontrollably, as his attorney whispered into his ear.
McGuffin wasn’t the only one trying to keep it together. Outside the courtroom, Freeman’s mother, Cory Courtwright, stood at the front of a line of people waiting to enter until the 28-year-old accused of murdering her daughter had been seated. When she spotted him, she started to shake too, and to sob.
The next year and a half or so it takes to try this case are going to be fraught with days like yesterday as old memories are dredged up and relived.
Peace be upon you, Leah
UPDATE
This from KCBY/KVAL
Charges in Leah Freeman murder case stir many emotions
Coquille is spinning with the news of the arrest, ten years later, of Nicholas McGuffin for the murder of fifteen year old Leah Freeman. Emotions ran high today as McGuffin plead not guilty and requested a hearing to reduce the $2M bail and possibly be let out on his own recognizance.
Cory Courtright, having kept her daughter’s long cold murder case alive by sheer will these last ten years alternated back and forth between tears and relief and tears again.
Nicholas McGuffin, the former boyfriend charged with Leah’s murder, shook uncontrollably and his eyes were red with crying and he sniffled throughout the hearing.
Some members of both families cried during the proceeding.
All of these emotions displayed were natural and to be expected but the one display of emotion I can’t get my head around is that of McGuffin’s mother. Before entering the courtroom she spoke to Cory’s back saying, “Cry all you want, Cory. Nick is innocent”.
Honestly, what was that? Cory didn’t indict or charge her son with murder. Why confront the grieving mother of a long dead child? Why make it personal, like it was between the two of them? What was that?
Does McGuffin blame Cory for not letting the case go cold? Does she believe Cory influenced the grand jury?
Hours later I am still chilled by that act. As pitiful as Nicholas McGuffin appeared today in court, after witnessing his mother’s behavior I could almost imagine her spawn being capable of disregarding another human life enough to take it.
Having said all that I, of course, can only speculate upon how I might behave in the same situation and hope it wouldn’t be the same.
Nicholas McGuffin arraignment today, tearful young man
The Freeman family and the McGuffin family took up residence outside the courtroom in separate sections of the hallway in advance of the 1PM arraignment. The arrangement was in place before I got there so I had no way of knowing one group of persons were members of the McGuffin family so when I started to shoot a picture of the group I was sternly rebuffed. (Later, I sat with the press in the jury box and got a couple shots off)
McGuffin was visibly shaking and in tears when I passed by him, already seated, to the press area. His lawyer and DA Paul Frasier arrived minutes later to begin the proceeding. A hearing is set for next month to hear a plea for reduction of bail. McGuffin is not considered a high flight risk and may be let out on his own recognizance, although Frasier states he will try to keep him in jail. McGuffin thanked the judge for considering his requests stating he was a family man and hard working.
As the families were entering the Judge Gillespie’s courtroom, Cory Courtright, Leah Freeman’s mother, was in tears at the entrance and McGuffin’s mother standing a few feet behind her said, “Cry all you want, Cory. Nick is innocent”. Much to Cory’s credit she responded only that Mrs McGuffin should not speak to her, ever.
Clearly, the McGuffin family is under terrible stress but they did not behave especially well, in my opinion. Mrs McGuffin’s complete lack of empathy for Cory’s loss was just plain ugly.
Police present details of indictment and arrest of Nicholas McGuffin
Long suspected in the murder of Leah Freeman, Coquille PD Sgt Pat Smith and Officer Ray McNeely arrested Nicholas McGuffin today at his home in Green Acres. The grand jury voted to indict McGuffin after hearing evidence and testimony from more than 100 witnesses. Bail has been set at $2M.
McGuffin, according to DA Paul Fraser, has never married but is the father of little girl and works as a chef at The Mill Casino. Trial will probably be late next year or early 2012.
The room was packed with well wishers and media. Not present were former Coquille PD Chief, Mike Reaves nor City Manager, Terence O’Connor (that I could see anyway).
Kudos again to Coquille PD for resurrecting this long dormant case, having the vision to work with other law enforcement agencies and hopefully bringing some peace to the Freeman family.
UPDATE: From KCBY
Excitement mounts in anticipation of grand jury findings in Leah Freeman murder
As the grand jury investigation nears its expected completion all eyes are on the DA in anticipation of the ‘trial of the century’ in the ten year old unsolved murder of Leah Freeman. This month old report lays blame for the cold case squarely at the foot of the former police chief, Mike Reaves.
20/20 says there were inconsistencies with how the case was handled. Leah’s mother was ignored by the former police chief.
“She tried giving him some evidence, and he poked her in the chest and said ‘Just go to the media,’ and yelled at her..she went away crying,” said Avila.
This curtailed valuable time. “It was treated as a run away even though everybody told the police department this girl would not run away,” said Avila.
But when a new police chief entered, things changed.
If and when an arrest takes place, the courtroom will be standing room only but it is a safe bet the former chief will not show his face. The city manager who retained him for so many years shouldn’t show his face either… then he should resign and allow fresh thinking to revitalize the city just like a new police chief improved the police department.
Leah Freeman grand jury still convening
Yesterday, returning from the BOC meeting at the Coos County Courthouse, it was uplifting to run into two Coquille Police Department officers as they waited on call for District Attorney, Paul Fraser conducting interviews into the Leah Freeman murder. This was a multi-agency effort and hours and hours of re-interviews of witnesses took place to rebuild the long cold case and these young officers are both proud and excited to be part of directing it to a resolution.
Police Chief Mark Dannels, (thank the stars we have a real police chief now), would not have submitted the case to the DA without a reasonable expectation of an indictment. As someone pointed out a DA can indict a ham sandwich if he wants to, or kill a case in a grand jury, so it is all up to Fraser now.
It was also very encouraging to see how proud these guys are to be ‘crime fighters’ instead of the traffic Nazis they used to be under the former police chief. I am proud of them too and confident Leah’s mom will soon be able to watch her daughter’s killer brought to justice.
Even those of us who never met you love you Leah. Peace be upon you.
8th anniversary vigil for Leah Freeman
Well, as one might imagine it was a very emotional event as about thirty people or so gathered to remember Leah Freeman. The wind impaired the candlelight a bit but people rallied to keep their candles going as attendees spoke about their memories and impressions of a beautiful young woman.
Music played and tears flowed. Coquille PD had three representatives attend the vigil and Sgt Smith vowed that the department would follow the case to the end.
Tomorrow I will put up some pictures, it is late and I am a little weepy.
We miss you Leah, even those of us who never had the joy of meeting you. We miss you.
UPDATE: Here are some pics
Leah Freeman vigil
On Saturday, June 28 at 8:30PM come and join the celebration of the short life of Leah Freeman. A candlelight vigil will be held at the corner of Hwy 42 and N Adams Street across from Safeway. This marks the 8th anniversary of her murder at the age of 15. Her murder is still unsolved to this day and friends and family want to keep her memory alive and urge the public to help in solving this horrible crime.
Don’t miss it!
Leah’s Army
Leah’s Army put together a fantastic float in memory of Leah Freeman, murdered at 15, eight years ago. Her murder goes unsolved and more and more citizens have tired of inaction on the case and marched in solidarity with her mother, Cory Courtright. Leah was and still is missed and much loved.
In memorium Leah Freeman
In a loving tribute, many of Leah Freeman’s high school friends found voice today at Leah’s forum. Cory Courtright, Leah’s mom is one strong woman and there is no doubt her daughter knows how hard she is fighting to bring her killer to justice. For today, though, it was so tender to hear these fond remembrances and celebration of a beautiful young woman named Leah Freeman.
You are loved, Leah, and sorely missed.
Coquille police chief retires…
…finally! It is no secret that I do not hold Chief Reaves, his policies, his public manner or his contempt for fellow citizens in high regard. That said, it is too early to celebrate until we see what city manager O’Connor finds for a replacement. Since O’Connor has repeatedly defended the chief rather than give serious consideration to the complaints filed by tax paying citizens, there is a strong chance that we are in for more of the same.
Reaves evidently plans to stay in the area and barbecue ribs AND, evidently, has joined the recently formed Coquille Valley Crime Stoppers along with another retired lawman, Mike Cook. Presumably, CVCS has as its top priority solving the murder of Leah Freeman. After eight years, Reaves joins an organization to solve a murder he would not work and steadfastly refused to turn over to an agency that might work it. Of course, he had the blessings and cooperation of the district attorney to hold the case but why? Why not give this case to a fresh agency?
Police accountability is good for everyone
This comment by BetteJo deserves highlighting here. No one I know is anti-police, no one. The motivations vary but everyone I know supports police accountability, everyone, except evidently some police wives and some officers themselves. What logical reason would police officers have for not wanting to be accountable to the public they serve and pay their salary?
BetteJo’s well thought out comment touches on items I have written about before. She also addresses the need to bring public pressure to bear on the powers that be to not sweep the Leah Freeman murder under the rug. If the county and city are not going to work this case then give it to another agency that will.
I posted this over at the world forum:
You know it isnt such a hard concept to think that it is possible to support the police while asking for accountability at the same time. Those videos are disgusting displays of human beings at their worst! Yes the police in Coquille are just doing their job…maybe the job that they are being directed to do is the problem then?
To the CPD personally I have defended members of your force such as Officer Bryant because I believe you to be good people. Even though I support you, I also expect that you be accountable for your actions the same as the next person. I posted some very disturbing images on magixs site because I think that people need to be reminded that there are some pretty bad “apples” out there as far as law enforcement goes. Yes magix and Kay can get very harsh in their criticism of the CPD but I have taken the time to try and get to know and I have a better understanding of why they get so upset. It is important for the citzens of this community to know and understand their rights. It is the basis for our whole government. There is nothing wrong with individuals getting involved and moving for change when they see a need for it. This has made magix, CCC and Kay targets because they are not just accepting what they are told at face value. They are seeking for explanations and justifications. It is their rights as tax paying citzens. I think you will find that there are alot more people in this town that think the way they do but they are not as vocal, nor do they want to be in the spotlight.
I find it really disturbing that the biggest crime that we have had perpetrated in this community the murder of a teenage girl has been mishandled so badly. It is not the fault of the officers on the force at this time. They were not there during the initial investigation. The chief yes he was. However the more research I do the more I find fault in how the case was handled at all levels. Here are the questions that I feel Cory deserves to have answered:
1. Why has the DA been so quiet about this case?
2. Why has the DA refused to bring in outside agencys to help in the investigation
3. Why has the City Manager not applied more pressure for the case to be solved?
4. Why has the Chief of police not pushed for more help.
5. Why has the Coos County Sherriffs office been virtually non-existent in this case when Leah’s body was found outside city limits in the county’s jurisdiction?
6. Why have the County elected officials not pushed for something to happen here?These are fundamental problems with this case. Do they have anything to do with the CPD you bet they do.
Justice for Leah
A newly formed group of caring individuals are gathering tonight in Coquille at 7PM at Figaro’s to discuss how to solve the murder of 15 year old Leah Freeman.
Leah was murdered eight years ago and her murderers still run loose and these citizens have decided it is time to bring closure to Leah’s mom, Cory Courtright and her family. Tonight is the first chance for many of these people to meet in person and hope that by putting their heads together the killers can be brought to justice.
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