GUILTY GA - Riceboro, WhtFemale, discovered in woods of the Portal Hunting Club, homicide, 2 Dec 2022 - Mindi Mebane Kassotis *husband arrested*

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  • #181
  • #182
Still catching up...

K bought a knife- dismembered body parts were found. K bought a shovel- buried head was found. I suspect "Jim McIntyre" is K's Mr. Hyde persona.

MOO JMO
 
  • #183
NK bought the hunting knife in the morning and Mindi's dismembered body was found later that day.

He couldn't have been expecting that. He must have thought it would be days-weeks-months before she was discovered. Yet, if that's the case, why leave her on the grounds of a hunting lodge, where people are certain to be traipsing around? Very strange behavior.

They had gone off the grid and it would have been a while before anyone realized Mindi was even missing. So if he had buried her in the middle of nowhere, he'd likely still be walking around today.
 
  • #184
ch_13 said:
NK bought the hunting knife in the morning and Mindi's dismembered body was found later that day.

He couldn't have been expecting that. He must have thought it would be days-weeks-months before she was discovered. Yet, if that's the case, why leave her on the grounds of a hunting lodge, where people are certain to be traipsing around? Very strange behavior.

They had gone off the grid and it would have been a while before anyone realized Mindi was even missing. So if he had buried her in the middle of nowhere, he'd likely still be walking around today.
Click to expand...
BBM

Wild boars are scavengers... He was probably hoping for animal activity or, blaming it on a random hunter. Thanks God for phone pings, GPS, CCTV and DNA!

MOO JMO
 
  • #185
PatLaurel said:
BBM

Wild boars are scavengers... He was probably hoping for animal activity or, blaming it on a random hunter. Thanks God for phone pings, GPS, CCTV and DNA!

MOO JMO
Click to expand...
Ah, I didn't think about the boars. That makes sense from his perspective. However, even so, human skeletal remains are pretty distinct-looking from animal skeletons (especially to a hunter) and they can still extract DNA from bones. Even with animal activity, it seems someone would have noticed her remains sooner rather than later.

This was just never a good plan.
 
  • #186
ch_13 said:
Ah, I didn't think about the boars. That makes sense from his perspective. However, even so, human skeletal remains are pretty distinct-looking from animal skeletons (especially to a hunter) and they can still extract DNA from bones. Even with animal activity, it seems someone would have noticed her remains sooner rather than later.

This was just never a good plan.
Click to expand...
BBM

And we can only be thankful for that!

MOO JMO
 
  • #187
You know that the defense is in trouble when their main opening arguments are:
- yes, my client lied and lied often, to everyone around him
- yes, my client owed a lot of money, but some person, who we don't know the name of, was threatening him so he had to hide
- yes, he bought a knife that is similar, but how do we know that it is the same knife?
- yes, he bought other stuff, but how do we know that those are the same items?
- yes, he cheated on his wife before she died and he married very quickly after, but that doesn't mean anything.
 
  • #188
And, in contrast, prosecution raised the following points in their opening:
- NK seen buying the exact type of knife (found at the scene of the torso) earlier in the day the body was found.
- NK burned his vehicle
- NK left state
- car similar to NK's was seen on camera near to where her body was found
- NK's vehicle had bluetooth and his phone was connected
- NK explained to his in-laws (he and Mindi lived with them) that Mindi wasn't there because she was in the hospital ....this was AFTER her death!!
- blood spatters found on the wall at their house, which had been cleaned up
- and, NK confessed to police after his Miranda rights were read to him.
 
  • #189
Snoopster said:
You know that the defense is in trouble when their main opening arguments are:
- yes, my client lied and lied often, to everyone around him
- yes, my client owed a lot of money, but some person, who we don't know the name of, was threatening him so he had to hide
- yes, he bought a knife that is similar, but how do we know that it is the same knife?
- yes, he bought other stuff, but how do we know that those are the same items?
- yes, he cheated on his wife before she died and he married very quickly after, but that doesn't mean anything.
Click to expand...
BBM

They had enough time to find the elusive "Jim McIntyre". How did he contact K? There has to be at least phone records, right? If K was the target, why did J McI kill Mindi? And most importantly, how was K able to escape J McI?

Good luck with the Third-Party Culprit Defense strategy... It won't work.

MOO JMO
 
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  • #190
PatLaurel said:
BBM

They had enough time to find the elusive "Jim McIntyre". How did he contact K? There has to be at least phone records, right? If K was the target, why did J McI kill Mindi? And most importantly, how was K able to escape J McI?

Good luck with the Third-Party Culprit Defense strategy... It won't work.

MOO JMO
Click to expand...

i think that's the defense strategy... alternate suspect is james mcintyre.

if nick utilized enough forethought and creativity he would have developed this mcintyre character in more detail and introduced him earlier, to actually form him into the bad guy. i do not think nick's imagination and creative horror writing was good enough to plan ahead. however, i believe the defense attorney will use anything/everything in an attempt to suggest... to jurors... mcintyre was real and was the actual culprit. i don't think the jurors will buy it, but that will be the strategy, imo.

jmo
 
  • #191
fred&edna said:
i think that's the defense strategy... alternate suspect is james mcintyre.

if nick utilized enough forethought and creativity he would have developed this mcintyre character in more detail and introduced him earlier, to actually form him into the bad guy. i do not think nick's imagination and creative horror writing was good enough to plan ahead. however, i believe the defense attorney will use anything/everything in an attempt to suggest... to jurors... mcintyre was real and was the actual culprit. i don't think the jurors will buy it, but that will be the strategy, imo.

jmo
Click to expand...
Defense will try anything to raise reasonable doubt but, the evidence found so far, leaves no room for that possibility.
There's a body, there's K at the scene, K buying tools to commit the crime and K's sickening lies, killing Mindi twice, prior to murdering her. K is/was the only one with a motive, IMO

MOO JMO
 
  • #192
Timestamp 47:20

Our dearest, talented. internationally renowned GBI forensic artist, Kelly Lawson!

 
  • #193
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  • #196
Curious if “Jim McIntyre” is on the witness list for the defense?
NK’s story is bizarre. So bizarre, it’s not believable.
The couple being out on the run to avoid a $1.5 m divorce judgment owed to Mindi, seems more plausible. jmo
 
  • #197

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES​

DAY 2 – 8/6/25​

DAY 1 – 8/5/25​

  • VIDEO: GA v. Nicholas Kassotis – Day 1 | Dismembered Wife Murder Trial
  • In their opening statement, the defense says the prosecution’s case against Nicholas is circumstantial and lacks direct evidence tying him to the crime. The defense urged the jury to focus on the lack of concrete evidence while emphasizing that his actions, including lies and deception, were driven by fear for their lives rather than guilt or intent to harm. The defense claims the couple was on the run after an FBI agent named ‘Jim McIntrye’ told them they were in danger and to trust no one.
  • WATCH: State: Mindi Kassotis’ Killer ‘Was A Prosecutor,’ Knew How to ‘Clean Up’
  • Prosecutors described how Nicholas, a decorated JAG officer with the Navy who held two law degrees, allegedly killed and dismembered Mindi, saying his experience as a prosecutor meant he knew how to clean a crime scene.
    • The prosecution focused on evidence they believe ties Nicholas to the crime, including his purchase of a Milwaukee knife at a Home Depot the day Mindi’s body was dumped.
    • Plastic tubs used to transport the body parts were also purchased at Home Depot and recovered from the scene. DNA analysis linked the remains to the victim, according to prosecutors.
    • Prosecutors described how Nicholas was involved with another woman who didn’t know he was married. He ended up marrying the woman just months after Mindi’s murder.
  • David Owen Lovett was at the Portal Hunting Club the weekend after Thanksgiving.
    • Killed a deer in the vicinity, then walked to investigate what he initially thought was a hog; discovered it was actually a human torso in a ditch (picture of the torso was shown to the jury.)
    • Did not touch the torso before officers arrived.
    • The torso was in the same condition when the first officer arrived.
  • Anthony Brown, part of US Marshals Task Force; received dispatch to Riceboro; met with George McCowan.
    • Observed vehicles and hunters around the ditch where the body was found.
    • Identified the crime scene and initiated a crime scene log.
    • Worked with Phillip McCollar, who found a knife at the edge of the woodline.
    • Adjusted the crime scene tape and waited for GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) to arrive.
  • Phillip McCallar returned to the scene and found a leg approximately 2.5 feet away from the roadway, approximately 20 yards away; initially thought it was a deer.
  • John Murphy, former law enforcement officer, assisted in the search for a deceased person; portions of the body had already been recovered.
    • Recognized a human leg during the search; confirmed photo accuracy.
    • Located a Rubbermaid tote in the bushes, assumed to contain blood.
    • Followed leads from the site where the torso was discovered, which led to other clothing being found.
  • GBI Special Agent Brett Dickerson described the condition of the remains at autopsy, which were later confirmed through DNA analysis.
    • WATCH: GBI Special Agent: Processed Mindi Kassotis’ ‘Torso and Left Leg’ at Lab
    • Identified a pumping station approximately half a mile from where a torso was found.
    • Slide 35 displayed a gray plastic storage container discovered by a cadaver dog. Container found off the roadway, containing about two inches of water and leaves, with reddish-brown stains appearing to be blood.
    • Utilized filter paper to collect potential trace evidence. Swabbed reddish-brown stains for testing. Performed blood presumptive tests indicating the presence of human blood.
    • Involvement of a Department of Natural Resources team to identify human scents in unusual locations. Torn pieces of clothing were located near the storage container.
    • Treated Mindi and Nicholas’s residence as a crime scene due to Mindi’s severe injuries. Employed Blue Star, a chemical reagent, to detect unseen blood stains.
    • Blue Star was applied in a darkened environment. Significant reactions noted on a blue futon with visible reddish-brown stains. Additional field tests confirmed the presence of human blood.
    • Detailed notes were taken on blood stains and Blue Star applications. Photographs were captured of the stains and various areas of the residence, including the floor.
    • Explained procedures for handling evidence after processing. Discussed storage methods, barcoding, and maintaining the chain of custody.
    • Packaged the black tote recovered from the scene. Sent the tote to the crime lab for further analysis with proper sealing and identification.
    • Identified a 25-gallon Husky storage tote with one handle. Confirmed it was similar in appearance to what was found at the scene, noting a crack and crime lab tagging.
    • Confirmed the existence of a second gray tote, found by cadaver dogs. All markings and tags were intact; the tote was in the same condition as submitted.
    • Discussed previous field tests and swabs taken from the totes. Emphasized the importance of properly cleansing evidence. Included cleansing wipes taken from a knife handle; committed to preserving evidence for analysis.
    • Discussed a fixed-blade knife recovered from the first crime scene. Opened the knife box in court, revealing a six-inch knife that was improperly sheathed. Confirmed chain of custody through handwriting on the packaging.
    • Clarified he did not process bugs taken from the victim’s leg. Confirmed the bugs were preserved in alcohol and brought to court in a sealed paint can.
    • Clarified that the bag contained only clothing found in a black garbage bag. Included soiled underwear and a camisole that appeared to be cut or torn. Items needed to be dried before proper packaging.
    • Provided insights into the smell of decomposition. Noted that the torso’s smell was mild, suggesting a relatively short time since death due to cool temperatures.
    • Indicated no active bleeding or blood was detected from Mindi’s wounds upon recovery. Confirmed specific locations in the Savannah residence where limited blood evidence was found.
    • Noted the thoroughness of the search in the Savannah residence. Indicated the entirety of the house was obscured for evidence preservation. Reiterated that only a small amount of blood was recovered, and investigative testing was limited.
  • WATCH: Dismembered Wife Murder Trial: Day 1 Recap
Parts of this story were reported by a journalist and have been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
www.courttv.com

GA v. Nicholas James Kassotis: Dismembered Wife Murder Trial

UPDATE: Nicholas Kassotis told Mindi Kassotis' mother that she was not 'coming home' after suffering a stroke.
www.courttv.com www.courttv.com
 
  • #198
arielilane said:
Curious if “Jim McIntyre” is on the witness list for the defense?
NK’s story is bizarre. So bizarre, it’s not believable.
The couple being out on the run to avoid a $1.5 m divorce judgment owed to Mindi, seems more plausible. jmo
Click to expand...
The judgment was not owed to Mindi. It was owed to NK's first wife. She's still alive and I believe she will be testifying at some point.
 
  • #199
ch_13 said:
The judgment was not owed to Mindi. It was owed to NK's first wife. She's still alive and I believe she will be testifying at some point.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the correction, @ch_13. I read the judgment was to his first wife, but didnt realize Mindi wasnt his first wife.
 
  • #200
Just a recap:

-- NK's first wife had just won a large divorce settlement.
-- NK and Mindi (2nd wife) were allegedly on the run to avoid paying the $1.5 million.
-- In November 2022, Mindi was killed
-- In April 2023, NK married for the third time; and NK was arrested a month later for his Mindi's (2nd wife) murder.
[Mod snip can't find any info that this person was arrested]

-- According to NK's defense he is being controlled by person named "Jim McIntyre," who controlled his finances.
-- Prosecutors claim JM is a made-up person.

-- Defense attorney, Weinstein states maybe not his real name, but, he is a real person.

Please correct, if anything is out of whack. ;)
 
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