GUILTY CA - Erin Corwin, 19, pregnant, Twentynine Palms, 28 June 2014 - #9

[TravelingBug]

Absolutely no idea on this. Accident, witness to suicide? Nichole better get her thinking cap on.

I'm willing to bet, though, that they have so much evidence against him, he'll be begging for a plea deal.

Given her comments about not arresting someone w/out a body being found gives me hope that while I'm sure they discussed their 'stories' in a 'just in case' type of way, I suspect they may both have thought that news would come out about Erin being found before an arrest would take place, figuring they could go over the 'story' again or rehearse it again prior to an arrest.

With him being arrested before news of her being found came out - heck, even downstairs while it was apparent something was happening that appeared related to the case, we now know that she'd already been found the day before. So even if they'd been following along on a scanner or were members here and in the basement, it'd have been too late to go over a plan.

So unless they really had fine-tuned any story or timeline or whatever, and went over it frequently, I'd not be surprised if they may get tangled up now with him arrested, her named a "person of interest," and Erin being found.

 

[TravelingBug]

By putting her in a mine shaft, Erin's suspected killer protected her remains from being dragged off by predators and protected her from a lot of insect activity and fierce heat. If there was water at the bottom, that would have slowed decomposition of the body too.

What a great gift to investigators.

That's a very interesting point and definitely seems to be the case based on what has been said.

Key among that, IMO, is multiple mention of her body being found and not stating her remains were found.

In addition, they described her as "crumpled" and then also stated dental records used to ensure it was Erin (as in not to ID her, but to confirm what was clearly apparent to them by sight or something else in there evidence wise that meant they knew it was her and only having to do it as confirmation).

So not only were they seeming to be pretty confident her body wouldn't be found (thus N's comment about no body) which, while understandable given the vast area and the scores of mines adding to the challenge of searching the area, but they likely never thought about the preservation of evidence based on where they ended up leaving Erin's body.

Ex-Marine Christopher Lee was arrested Sunday night in the killing of Erin Corwin, a missing Marine wife who was found crumpled at the bottom of a 140-foot mine shaft in a remote area of the High Desert.

Corwin's body was located Saturday afternoon by specialized mine search teams, who used cameras to explore more than 100 mine shafts and bodies of water in the remote desert. An urban search and rescue team recovered the body on Sunday, and dental records were used to ensure it was Corwin

.http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/18/erin-corwin-san-bernardino/14232723/

 

[Mrs. Gladden]

Yes I was asking about you. They will run test tomorrow, we'll see! It is what it is. Thanks for the concern.

Shadetree, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

la2cabo, you will be in my thoughts and prayers, too.

 

[NYC Girl]

Unless CL was known to be frugal - and with the money he spent on his jeep, I'm not sure he was - I doubt the motive was financial. I think it either happened due to emotion or his wife "forcing" him to. It is more typically a guy in his 40s or 50s who has a lot of money who gets murderous over the idea of losing money.

 

[BRRI]

I'm not so sure Erin knew CL was moving back to Alaska. The timing of her murder is interesting. Maybe CL chose to get rid of Erin before she could find out he was moving back to AK, afraid that if he didn't, the ***** would hit the fan. She may have thought he was going to live at the horse ranch, and NL would go back to Alaska, leaving the door open for them to be together.

Yep. I'm thinking he probably told her he would be leaving NL as soon as he was out of the military, and that they could then be together. Maybe even run off together

 

[BRRI]

Not just a phone company... I found out that Google has been tracking where I've been all year and I could look it all up on a map. Now I'm going to have to go for drives around the area so i can draw pictures for google. ;-)

http://junkee.com/google-maps-has-b...website-to-prove-it/39639#rA9pCiYDhxDEAhCo.01

Yes, I meant to post this last night! To be honest, I don't mind that they track me like that in case I ever go missing.

 

[BRRI]

You are correct.
When referring to "viability" that means the baby has a chance to survive if born now. :twocents:
Viability is put at sometime after 23 weeks generally, depending on who you ask.

A baby born in the 1st trimester is not viable and will not survive. Period.
So in many states that would not be considered murder. :twocents:

Actually, 23 states recognize it as murder from the moment of conception.

Currently, at least 38 states have fetal homicide laws. The states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. At least 23 states have fetal homicide laws that apply to the earliest stages of pregnancy ("any state of gestation," "conception," "fertilization" or "post-fertilization"); these are indicated below with an asterisk (*).

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/fetal-homicide-state-laws.aspx

 

[BRRI]

That's a very interesting point and definitely seems to be the case based on what has been said.

Key among that, IMO, is multiple mention of her body being found and not stating her remains were found.

In addition, they described her as "crumpled" and then also stated dental records used to ensure it was Erin (as in not to ID her, but to confirm what was clearly apparent to them by sight or something else in there evidence wise that meant they knew it was her and only having to do it as confirmation).

So not only were they seeming to be pretty confident her body wouldn't be found (thus N's comment about no body) which, while understandable given the vast area and the scores of mines adding to the challenge of searching the area, but they likely never thought about the preservation of evidence based on where they ended up leaving Erin's body.

.http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/18/erin-corwin-san-bernardino/14232723/

To go a bit further, once you surpass a certain depth (~30 feet), the temperature is fairly constant. In California, it ranges from 57 to 62 degrees.

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Cooling/EarthTemperatures.htm

 

[BRRI]

Was this posted yet? His mug shot from another arrest:

 

[sophiebelle]

Not just a phone company... I found out that Google has been tracking where I've been all year and I could look it all up on a map. Now I'm going to have to go for drives around the area so i can draw pictures for google. ;-)

http://junkee.com/google-maps-has-b...website-to-prove-it/39639#rA9pCiYDhxDEAhCo.01

I heard a man calling in to a radio station saying he had google maps on his phone and he didn't know it was tracking him. I didn't know it was doing that either. It may be somewhere in the fine print, but people need to know!

 

[rose222]

Oh my! I came home after an afternoon of shopping. I was about to check my email when I saw the news on Yahoo that Erin Corwin's body has been found. I feel such relief and gratitude. I'm truly amazed that they were able to find her. They accomplished the almost impossible. A real miracle. This is really good for the family in that they can now begin to mourn and begin the healing process.

As for Mr. and Mrs. Einstein (No body, no case!) what can I say? I hope Lee confesses. If he decides to do like Scott Peterson and deny everything...well... then I hope he realizes where Scott ended up. The wife said 'They'll never find the body'. The very same thing that motivates these criminals to commit murder and think that they can get away with is what helps them get caught: arrogance.

I hope Erin did not suffer. What a huge, huge relief for her loved ones and for us too that she was found. RIP, sweet Erin.

 

[KESfromMA]

CBS News 8 has learned has learned Lee may have had an incriminating internet search history on his computer, which is what may have led investigators to zero in on the hundreds of mine shafts around Joshua Tree National Park.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/26306835/...r-of-missing-marine-wife-erin-corwin-arrested

I think this article was updated - I don't remember it talking about the possible incriminating web search earlier.

Wonder if they thought clearing their browser history actually deleted all traces or if they weren't even smart enough to do that. Thankfully, these two being so clueless has brought this to an end so much faster than it could have taken.

 

[newone]

I am so glad they found her -- sad for the outcome obviously. That's an amazing feat to find her in a mine shaft ((as there are so many out there))

still shaking my head over this one......

 

[LaLaw2000]

I am so thankful Erin was found. She was a beautiful young lady with her entire life ahead of her. If pregnant, she and her tiny wee one will be together forever.

My prayers will be with Erin (and baby ?) , her husband, and her family. To lose Erin at this young age must be so very terrible for them all.

Rest in Heavenly Peace, Erin and your tiny wee one if you were pregnant.

Prayers..................

 

[KESfromMA]

Was this posted yet? His mug shot from another arrest:

Every time I look at his picture, I keep asking "why?!?" He's not much to look at IMO (putting it as nicely as I can). He doesn't seem to be smart enough to be a smooth talker. I cannot understand the appeal. I just don't get it. And JC appears to be so cute and caring. Guess it's hard to understand from the outside looking in...

 

[atthelake]

If he is tried in a civil/California State court, he could get out on good behavior, if he's tried in a Federal or Military Court, he probably won't be. This guy is up for grabs, he can be tried by the military for being active military at the time of the crime, by the County/State for the crime being committed off base, or by the Feds for committing the crime on Federal Land.

With federal and military court, can folks get documents through FOI? Are they both open to public? Are they both open to media? Are they both open to cameras in court doing live feed?

:thinking:

 

[Love Never Fails]

I thought the same, but I think it was revised to include any fetus during any stage of pregnancy

"The Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-212) is a United States law which recognizes a child in utero as a legal victim, if he or she is injured or killed during the commission of any of over 60 listed federal crimes of violence. The law defines "child in utero" as "a member of the species sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb".[1]"

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unborn_Victims_of_Violence_Act

Just jumping in with MOO. Because CL premeditated this crime, one must know he did so because Erin was pregnant. So he SHOULD be charged with TWO counts of first degree murder. Scott Peterson should be one of his cell mates in the future.

 

[Love Never Fails]

Thanks to everyone for transcribing info from the presser. I didn't think they would ever find her, especially this quick. Does anyone have any idea when more details will come out, or will he have to wait for trial? Also thanks for all the great photo links.
I think Erin was just young and naïve and made a mistake. I feel so badly for her family and friends. I hope this is the beginning of some closure for them.

CNN reported today that they will decide charges within two days of his arrest.

 

[Love Never Fails]

[/B]

BBM: I was wondering the same thing. How will this affect his "honorable" discharge? Will it be changed to dishonorable? I certainly hope so. I don't think either he nor his wife deserve any federal benefits, regardless of his past service. I'm embarrassed that he even served our country.

When you are discharged or released from active duty, you are still in reserve status. In effect, you can be recalled in an emergency. So yes, he will receive a dishonorable discharge, which is the very least of his worries. And btw, only retired military have benefits anymore and not much at that. He likely could have gotten a VA loan to buy a home but no more. And Nicole will get zip...unless maybe arrested herself.

 

[MzOpinion8d]

I wonder what's been going through NL's mind since Erin was found and CL arrested? I wonder what's been going through IM's mind as well?

Probably a little relief because CL is locked up, and a lot of fear because NL is not!