GUILTY CA - Erin Corwin, 19, pregnant, Twentynine Palms, 28 June 2014 - #10

[BRRI]

Send him to military jail. Whatever it's called. I hear it's much worse than regular prison!!

I personally know of 3 cases where there was adultery within the military. (I'm not military, nor would I ever be!) In once case, the original couple divorced, she ended up having a miscarriage, but ended up with the military man she had the affair with. None faced charges. The divorced soldier stayed at his base, while the other was moved to another state, and his adulterer went with him. The other two cases, both women had their child, but didn't state who the father was. Once the men were out of military, they were and still are, in contact with their kids, though in neither case did either pay child support. The women didn't want the men in trouble, so just refused to say who the father was.

There's many ways this could have been solved in an adult way, without killing someone!!! And yes, while there is rules and such in the military about affairs, it doesn't seem to be a rule that is strictly enforced. Murder though, yep, gonna be enforced!!

As to him luring her into the forest, well, I don't know about him saying they were going hunting. Maybe target practicing, or something, but even when I was a young woman, hunting wouldn't have made me wanna go. Though I did go hunting ONCE, and when the deer showed up, I yelled RUN DEER RUN!! Last time I was taken hunting. :thinking:

I don't know what line he actually used to lure her. But I'm positive she didn't feel she was going to be harmed. 18-19yr olds, the emotions are all over the board to begin with. Throw in a miscarriage, and a new pregnancy, and her hormones were probably doing most of the talking. And yes, while I've no idea how Chris originally to the news of a pregnancy, I can bet he wasn't sharing his fears, his worries, etc., with her. He could have led her to believe his marriage was failing, and as soon as he was out of the military, he would divorce, and be with her. Or her imagination could have led her to believe that would be possible. At any rate, we now see it was never in the cards to be true.

The military typically enforces the affair rule if it's formally reported by the person who was cheated on, so usually when it involves two service members. It's also usually when one is an officer or higher rank (the cheater),and the other is enlisted or lower rank (cheated on).

I personally would like to see this heard at the state level, that way if something goes wrong, the case can be retried at the military level without double jeopardy being an issue.

 

[BRRI]

I'm not a lawyer but my idea of someone who fights extradition is to refused to leave the state he was arrested in formally, through paperwork, and the state that wants his sorry butt has to file formal requests to have him sent to them. Saying I'd like to talk to my lawyer first does not mean he "fought" extradition. To me, fighting extradition is a whole lot more in legal maneuvering and takes a lot of time, not just a day or two. But like I said, I'm not a lawyer so what do I know?

I 100% agree

 

[Seajay]

I know a couple who were both in the military and cheating on their spouses. The wife of the husband suspected it and reported it to his CO. The CO confronted him and of course he lied. The husband of the other military member suspected she was having an affair and beat the living crap out of her. He was the one who got into trouble. She left him and filed for divorce. (All the while continuing the affair with the other military guy.) The military man/cheater finally decided to leave his wife as well and divorced her ( she was also having an affair with someone else.) Are you getting this, cuz I'm getting confused myself and I know these people. LOL The husband who was cheating got reassigned, the women who he was cheated with retired out of the service after her 20 year mark and moved to where he was now stationed and set up housekeeping with him. Once their divorces was final, they married. Nothing ever came of him being reported for having an affair.

 

[nikb]

We've done a lot of speculating here. And I'm pretty sure either collectively or individually, we have the whole story here. It will be interesting once the trial starts to find out which of what we speculated was dead on.

If he pleads not guilty, then all we'll have is the prosecutors idea of what the motive was. I don't think CL will be taking the stand in his own defense. It will be an interesting trial, that's for sure.

BBM I'm pretty curious about this myself. He seems to think he's some sort of charmer if he's got his loving wife, an apparently doting girl on the side, and heck even the horse ranch lady's in love with the guy (okay not in the same way, but she talks about him as if she really likes and admires him). So that's at least 3 women fawning over him in one way or another. I wonder if he thinks he could "charm" a jury, too. I imagine his lawyer will prevent that from happening but boy would I be interested to see him on the stand.

 

[shadetree44]

IMO, here's a few things that CL may have going for him in his favor from a defense point of view; all are JMO only. However, I do NOT for one minute believe he was innocent and I DO believe NL was involved either before, during and/or after, and I believe there MAY be a possibility she is more responsible than he is.

1) Tire tracks from their vehicle at site where Erin's car was found. Does this prove who was driving Lee's vehicle?
2) Rebar and 22 caliber casings found in mine and match those found in their vehicle, which both Lees would have had access to their own vehicle and things in it. (Of course we don't know what LE has regarding fingerprints etc)
3) 22 caliber rifle at the “ranch” that was in their home previously. Who put it there, NL or CL? If it was in the Lee's home or at the ranch, both of them would have had access to it.
4) I am not sure if we KNOW if it was text messages and/or actual phone calls from Erin to her friend in TN regarding going out to celebrate with CL, but irregardless, IF CL and Erin were supposedly in contact with each other (possibly) per text messages regarding this day to celebrate, who's to say that NL wasn't sending the texts to Erin on behalf of CL (using CL's phone)?
5) Regarding internet searches for how to dispose of a body – both NL and CL (I'd assume) had access to the same computer that was used for this (assuming it was a computer in their home).
And yes I do realize, CL allegedly also asked someone how to dispose of a body as well.
6) Who typically would have been the most upset about the alleged affair between Erin and CL? NL or CL?


Regarding the red car sighting, I am still not convinced of this. I am not saying MB is not a reliable witness, nor am I saying he did not see what he says he did, however, we all know witness testimony can a lot of times not be correct etc. I would think we would have heard more about this red car somewhere along the line but I guess only time will tell. I do find it interesting that the Lees' Jeep is maroon, but I would think the general public would know the difference between a maroon/red Jeep SUV versus a small red car. One scenario I can say that could play out is CL and Erin met that morning of June 28 somewhere near JTNP; the only reason I feel this is possibly where they met is because she had allegedly told her husband she was going to JTNP (although for different reasons regarding her mother's visit, etc) AND CL had allegedly said he was going “hunting” at JTNP. So then either CL or NL or both take Erin to the mine (enough said there) and then someone drives Erin's car back to where it was found and has someone pick them up, and this is where the witness account of MB comes in. And IF it's possible a maroon/red Jeep SUV is mistaken for a small red car, it could be possible that Erin left her car where it was found and CL picked her up there for their day together and this is what the witness allegedly saw.

Answers to the questions: (MOO)
1 NO
2 TRUE
3 TRUE
4 COULD HAVE BEEN EITHER
5 COULD HAVE BEEN EITHER
6 COULD HAVE BEEN EITHER

As for the theory on the red car - This is definitely a strong possibility. One thing we must remember is the person having access to EC's car would need a KEY, either to re-position it or just remove any incriminating evidence. A reporter stated it took 2 hrs to drive to the mine site, so return might be the same. Having been there before and in a
off-road type vehicle, it might be accomplished quicker, who knows. Question: MB said he thought the driver was a male(with short hair), with a woman exiting EC's car. Possibilities: CL & NL; JC(would have keys) & NL; ? and NL or JC and ?. If JC (via LE) is ruled out, the pool gets small. What's your opinion? Peace

To Mrs G - Test OK, additional issues but manageable!!! Thanks Cheers!!!!

 

[nikb]

An interesting article in the news today 'The Military Gave This Woman's Family A Pay Cut After Her Husband Cheated On Her.'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/22/military-marriages_n_5698547.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

This matches a lot more closely with the stuff I was reading yesterday through online searches as well. In theory yes someone could get dishonorably discharged, lose all benefits, thrown in military jail, etc. but it looked like that very rarely happens, and usually only among high ranking officers or if something more was going on (i.e. the guy who got an underage girl drunk and engaged in "group sex" - and even he didn't get dishonorable discharge). More often it looked like they got moved to another unit and/or base. If their CO told them to stop the affair and they didn't, the military person got in trouble for disobeying the order... not so much for adultery.

(my post is here for those interested: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...Palms-28-June-2014-10&p=10885677#post10885677). Specifically in this article: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...003/12/what_happens_to_cheating_soldiers.html "The military penalty remains pretty harsh: up to a year in confinement plus a dishonorable discharge, which entails the forfeiture of all retirement pay. But a soldier's odds of facing such punishment are slim, at least if adultery is all they're charged with. In fact, courts martial on adultery charges alone are almost unheard of; the charge is usually added atop a list of other crimes, like failing to obey orders, lying to a superior, or sexual misconduct."

Long roundabout way of saying I couldn't help but think that the penalties for CL, who wasn't high ranking and was about to leave anyway, would be practically non-existent. He was leaving the military and leaving the state, so it wasn't going to continue to be a problem in the military's eyes. I don't think he would've lost his benefits if the affair came to light. I don't have personal experience with this but in the research I did almost nothing indicated that he would have gotten in much trouble with the military. All of the above is JMO and based on the various articles I read yesterday.

Finding this info about the benefits and likely minimal punishment from the military actually makes it even more sick and sad to me. She didn't have to die! It makes me think his motives had more to do with not losing his wife, or money - i.e. child support. Maybe we'll know someday.

 

[nikb]

Well, half of it is already proven true. As far as moving it further in, it remains to be seen, but given the extent he's shown himself willing to go to hide evidence of any involvement with Erin whatsoever, it's hard to imagine he didn't come back to her vehicle at some point to remove any trace of himself in her life, and at that point, move the car.

I must have missed something? Which part is proven true?

 

[Mrs. Gladden]

To Mrs G - Test OK, additional issues but manageable!!! Thanks Cheers!!!!

Wonderful! What good news! Thanks for letting me know. I've been thinking about you.

And I've been waiting to hear from la2cabo. Been thinking about her, too.

 

[Seajay]

This matches a lot more closely with the stuff I was reading yesterday through online searches as well. In theory yes someone could get dishonorably discharged, lose all benefits, thrown in military jail, etc. but it looked like that very rarely happens, and usually only among high ranking officers or if something more was going on (i.e. the guy who got an underage girl drunk and engaged in "group sex" - and even he didn't get dishonorable discharge). More often it looked like they got moved to another unit and/or base. If their CO told them to stop the affair and they didn't, the military person got in trouble for disobeying the order... not so much for adultery.

(my post is here for those interested: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...Palms-28-June-2014-10&p=10885677#post10885677). Specifically in this article: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...003/12/what_happens_to_cheating_soldiers.html "The military penalty remains pretty harsh: up to a year in confinement plus a dishonorable discharge, which entails the forfeiture of all retirement pay. But a soldier's odds of facing such punishment are slim, at least if adultery is all they're charged with. In fact, courts martial on adultery charges alone are almost unheard of; the charge is usually added atop a list of other crimes, like failing to obey orders, lying to a superior, or sexual misconduct."

Long roundabout way of saying I couldn't help but think that the penalties for CL, who wasn't high ranking and was about to leave anyway, would be practically non-existent. He was leaving the military and leaving the state, so it wasn't going to continue to be a problem in the military's eyes. I don't think he would've lost his benefits if the affair came to light. I don't have personal experience with this but in the research I did almost nothing indicated that he would have gotten in much trouble with the military. All of the above is JMO and based on the various articles I read yesterday.

Finding this info about the benefits and likely minimal punishment from the military actually makes it even more sick and sad to me. She didn't have to die! It makes me think his motives had more to do with not losing his wife, or money - i.e. child support. Maybe we'll know someday.

The question is though, did CL know all this?? Who knows what went through his mind. If he worried before about losing his benefits and honorable discharge status with the military for an affair and a pregnancy because of that affair, how much more is this coming at him for 1st degree murder charges. Dumb as a box of rocks I say! I don't think all the lights lit up on the Christmas tree. Who knows what he knew, who knows how seriously he took it, who knows if it's even an issue. For sure something was or Erin wouldn't be dead. Whatever it was, in his mind, it was worth killing over.

 

[Seajay]

Great news shadetree44!!! :happydance:

 

[phantomthought]

I've never been convinced that NL was a part of the plot from the beginning, however, I honestly do believe she was a part of the cover up. She's not acting like a victim in this. If all this went down with my husband, I wouldn't be anywhere near him. I would be living in a different place then him in AK, and I would be filing for divorce. All the dirty laundry is out and it has to be humiliating. Her being in court for the bond hearing told me plenty. Why would she stand beside him, support him if he had an affair, got another woman pregnant and then killed her??? Unless she's cruising down the river called Denial. IMO

That is if you have another place to go with your child.In court i Believe she was sitting with his family.I did not hear any mention of hers and from what his dad said I think it is quite possible they could be living with his parents also I believe she was a stay at home mom

 

[TigerLilly]

Respectfully snipped.

Yes. Thank you. Almost as bad as the victim blaming going on elsewhere is the infantilization of Erin. She was an adult. She married. She moved alone across the country. In an effort to not blame, I think some of us (myself included at times) have gone out of our way to make this SO not her fault that we are insulting her adulthood and her right to self-determination. Yes, she had a bad run the last 6 months or so, but she wasn't some helpless waif incapable of saying no to the big strong marine.

Also, I'm beginning to think we need a sex education thread downstairs. Lots of questions regarding pregnancy and the like and it is probably relevant in more than just this case.

ITA. We dont know the dynamics of CL's and EC's relationship. Perhaps she was planning on staying with JC and CL wanted her to leave JC. Maybe Erin eas willing to habe one last celebratory day before saying good bye. They could have argued and CL killed her in a moment of rage. Not my theory but we really dont know. Maybe the truth will come out during the trial.

 

[Seajay]

That is if you have another place to go with your child.In court i Believe she was sitting with his family.I did not hear any mention of hers and from what his dad said I think it is quite possible they could be living with his parents also I believe she was a stay at home mom

Friends? Horse Lady? Especially if the guy was suspected of murder. I'd be afraid to fall asleep anywhere around the guy. And her child, she's choosing to have her child live with a suspected murderer, and if I'm right, she know it.

 

[FlamingoLady]

Yup, that's what happens when you get caught. The reason the other couple didn't get a pay cut is that it was the guys WIFE who cheated, he didn't do anything and he's the military member, so only the gal in this report and her husband got a pay cut because he is military and he was the cheater.

In my opinion this article/video is a little deceiving. I highly doubt the military picked an arbitrary amount of money to take out of his paycheck. The probable scenario is that he was reduced in rank as punishment, and therefore, his pay was decreased. The decision of a woman to stay with a cheating husband for financial reasons is not limited to military spouses. That issue transcends many professions. Just my opinion.

 

[Seajay]

In my opinion this article/video is a little deceiving. I highly doubt the military picked an arbitrary amount of money to take out of his paycheck. The probable scenario is that he was reduced in rank as punishment, and therefore, his pay was decreased. The decision of a woman to stay with a cheating husband for financial reasons is not limited to military spouses. That issue transcends many professions. Just my opinion.

I agree, he probably got demoted in rank for his transgression. True about women staying with cheating husbands because of finances. IMO

 

[Meemaw12]

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news...-legal-questions-erin-corwin-murder/14464983/

 

[Meemaw12]

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/22/christopher-lee-erin-corwin/14467821/

 

[77DarkHorse7]

Help me out here. Other than MB's statement, what did I miss proving the red car was there. I believe MB but have not read anything confirming its existence. No doubt it's there, I just missed it. Help!

I must have missed something? Which part is proven true?

The car being red is true. Lee's jeep was Maroon. As to the other concerns about size and car type, for one thing MB only said it was a sedan initially, it wasn't until a month later that it became a smaller car. Sedans come in various sizes. He was prodded with questions for weeks, and asked about the truthfulness of his statement, and if he really saw what he thought he saw. That can change the perception a little bit. The one thing he's completely certain about, without a doubt is that the car was red. He never said what shade of red, like how dark or light, just red. Definitely RED.

Size perception changes by how far away the object is. We don't know how far away from the road the cars were initially. And if the blue car was moved further away, then it's conceivable that when he drove by again a couple times comparing the now smaller-looking blue car to the red car's image in his memory, the size of the red car became difficult to ascertain. The other thing is the curb, is it a bump or a mound;... THAT could hide the bottom of the car making it look smaller. Or did the Jeep's tires sink into the sand, with the same results. Is the terrain completely flat, or is it curved? Etc.

 

[Seajay]

"He's not pleased that the case has gone in this direction, but seems to be doing okay." Kaloyanides said.

LOL Well I guess not. I wouldn't be pleased either if I was in jail for murder if that's not the direction I wanted the case to go in.

The affidavit detailed an affair between Corwin and Christopher Lee, and stated that the two had planned to go hunting in or near Joshua Tree National Park on June 18, which was the day she disappeared.

"That was very illuminating," Kaloyanides said. "Some of the statements in that affidavit were not consistent with what the witnesses were saying."

Kaloyanides did not elaborated.

But in the affidavit included statements from Isabel Megli, owner of Yucca Valley's White Rock Horse Rescue, where both the Lees and the Corwins volunteered.

Megli told detectives that Nichole Lee said she was concerned her husband did not have an alibi and would "not be able to keep his lies straight, that detectives did not have a case "without a body," "had missed something" and that "detectives would never find the body."

Megli later told The Desert Sun her statements had been taken out of context and "twisted" by police.

So that is going to be part of their defense is that the leaked PC was made up of lies, that IM never said those things that they based their suspicions on. Don't know how that's gonna help with the .22 shell casings and the rebar that was linked to Lee though.

 

[Meemaw12]

Do we think CL cleaned the jeep up to take it to the desert to murder EC? Iirc MB was very clear on how clean the "red" car was.
Doesn't make sense to me. In fact we wondered if it could be a rental car because of the cleanliness