Nicholas McGuffin found Guilty of Manslaughter for the death of Leah Nicole Freeman/Sentencing w/be on Aug. 1/ Leah's story on 20/20 Friday July 29

Cory,
I hope you have peace today on this beautiful day that your precious Leah was born.
I hope you enjoy the beautiful memories of Leah today and know that she is with you at your every move.
I have every faith that she is not only with you but looking over you and guiding you as the Angel she is.

Cory, I pray that you will be comforted today as you remember your precious daughter, Leah. So many wonderful memories of her to cherish! And may you find peace in knowing that she is watching over you from above & cheering you on in your fight for justice. God bless you & Leah!! Happy Birthday Leah!!

A couple days a late I wasn't online yesterday and had a crazy WEIRD day Friday... IN fact.. now that I think of it... Maybe Leah was upset I hadn't acknowledged her Birthday and that is why my truck go swarmed with Bees on my lunch break.. I am So sorry Leah... Hard to believe it was only a year ago we were at Lee Valley Road honoring your life and sending you your birthday balloon :winnie:

Cory, I have not heard from you in awhile and just wanted you to know we love you and are here for you!! Don't allow anyone or any group of people to get you down. You have come so far and we are all here for you in every way!! Please don't ever forget that!!

Right now, their is a lull in the case as Nick is arrested and behind bars as he Should be. The prosecution is preparing for the trial, so if not too many members are commenting here, it is only because there is no news.

The other thread is what it is but in NO WAY takes away for the love we have for you. There is ALWAYS one person or one group of people who are negative and act childish with their ridiculous statements. We and You are much better than that. I hope you know that to the nth degree!!! Hang in there!! Justice w/be served and we will be right along side you all the way!!

Love you to pieces,

Wrap

Wrapitup wrote:Cory, I have not heard from you in awhile and just wanted you to know we love you and are here for you!! Don't allow anyone or any group of people to get you down. You have come so far and we are all here for you in every way!! Please don't ever forget that!!

Right now, their is a lull in the case as Nick is arrested and behind bars as he Should be. The prosecution is preparing for the trial, so if not too many members are commenting here, it is only because there is no news.

The other thread is what it is but in NO WAY takes away for the love we have for you. There is ALWAYS one person or one group of people who are negative and act childish with their ridiculous statements. We and You are much better than that. I hope you know that to the nth degree!!! Hang in there!! Justice w/be served and we will be right along side you all the way!!

Love you to pieces,

Wrap

I know...........

It's just hard. I have so much I want to say but just can't. Almost seems like I am the one standing trial. Afraid to say anything because it will just get copied and pasted and PICKED APART.

Dear Lord God in Heaven....... I wish this kind of life changing tragedy on NO ONE. No One.

Cory I am so sorry you have to go through this. I went through something like this with my daughter.

Waiting for trial is brutal.

I wish I could take away your pain. I wish I had a group like Victims Heartland when I went through our trial.

If I can ever answer any questions or help in any way please let me know.

jeanne1807 wrote:Cory I am so sorry you have to go through this. I went through something like this with my daughter.

Waiting for trial is brutal.

I wish I could take away your pain. I wish I had a group like Victims Heartland when I went through our trial.

If I can ever answer any questions or help in any way please let me know.

Thank you Jeanne.

Oh my..... I don't think I knew you lost a daughter. I'm sorry if we have already discussed this and I don't remember - terrible of me huh? Ugh. Someone help me out here! I'm feeling like an idiot!!!!!! What happened? May I ask that??

Post deleted.

Cory wrote:

Wrapitup wrote:Cory, I have not heard from you in awhile and just wanted you to know we love you and are here for you!! Don't allow anyone or any group of people to get you down. You have come so far and we are all here for you in every way!! Please don't ever forget that!!

Right now, their is a lull in the case as Nick is arrested and behind bars as he Should be. The prosecution is preparing for the trial, so if not too many members are commenting here, it is only because there is no news.

The other thread is what it is but in NO WAY takes away for the love we have for you. There is ALWAYS one person or one group of people who are negative and act childish with their ridiculous statements. We and You are much better than that. I hope you know that to the nth degree!!! Hang in there!! Justice w/be served and we will be right along side you all the way!!

Love you to pieces,

Wrap

I know...........

It's just hard. I have so much I want to say but just can't. Almost seems like I am the one standing trial. Afraid to say anything because it will just get copied and pasted and PICKED APART.

Dear Lord God in Heaven....... I wish this kind of life changing tragedy on NO ONE. No One.

Cory,

My heart aches for you. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this tragedy. I cannot even begin to imagine your personal pain and heartache, but know that the people here on VH are here for you and to support you. May God be with you and help you through all of this.

jeanne1807 wrote:No I didn't lose a daughter. My daughter was molested by a man when she was babysitting for his children.

We took him to court. It was a terrible battle.

He wanted to plead guilty with no counseling. We said no he needed counseling for what he had done. He had three young daughters.

The prosecutor convinced us to go to trial. They kept postponing and playing all the tricks. He found God and became an usher in church. Had his wife 8 months pregnant for trial.

The jury found him Not Guilty. He walked.

It was terrible.

I am going to remove this post tomorrow. I don't talk about it all that much. It is too painful.

Jeanne - I sent you a pm.

Praying -

Thank you for your kind words. I know. I don't mean to sound ungrateful for everyone here on VH. You've all been so kind and supportive. It's just hard. Some days are better than others........Who knows what tomorrow will bring?? One day at a time.

Justice for Leah!! Will sit behind Cory at her trial, waiting for a conviction!!

prayerbone wrote:Hi all, omg that AJ is exhausting, everyone as the right to believe what they wish, but sheesh she just goes on and on and



onnnnnnnnn without responding to a thing u say

Really now? I wouldn't know. Haven't been to the dump lately. And I just can't seem to find out what is going on over there. Hmm

Prayerbone nice to see you back on VH. Cory I am sorry I missed your post from Nov. 3rd. I was taking a break from blogging until I got a handle on my emotions. Does anyone want to talk about this Kristen and her POSSIBLE involvement in Leah murder?

I have not been there and do not have a clue beyond what I had read previously about Kristen. I guess I am the only one that wants to talk about the 20/20 show and the stuff being said about Kristen involvement. I guess my emotions are not in check yet.

LM......Talking about the 20/20 show is fine. Kristen as well. As for that topic (Kristen) It is my belief that she said MUCH more than what 20/20 revealed. If anyone thinks for one minute that the 20/20 show released everything, you need to think again!! And for crying out loud! They were together til the wee hours of the morning. From midnight until the wee hours of the morning?? And all she did was put her lips on his!!! Give me a break. This freak had a crush on Nick beyond your imagination, they were together until who knows when, but they didn't have sex. WTH??? Does anyone really buy that one??? And let's not forget how he threatened her about telling anyone.

There......it's started!

Yes, that is a huge Lie. She was the first person I banned from VH.

Fysty is also lying when she says they don't name-call over there. They used to have a "Bashing Room" and I was called every name in the book.

This is NOT the right place to discuss this. We have a thread about RC if you all want to take it there. I just wanted to answer your question, Prayerbone.

And, if anyone wants to discuss Kristen, go for it. That would be on this thread. I have nothing to say as I didn't know about her until the show. Well....OK..I have 3 things to say:

1) She looks horrible.
2) She sure was rude to the guy that was giving her the papers.
3) I think she is lying...they probably did do "the deed" that night and she knows more than she is telling.

Yeah that's enough info, were get back on track cheers

Cory, I wrote my post BEFORE I saw yours. You are SO correct!!!! That is like saying,
"we slept in the same bed but nothing happened".

1) She looks horrible.
2) She sure was rude to the guy that was giving her the papers.
3) I think she is lying...they probably did do "the deed" that night and she knows more than she is telling.

I also believe Nick had help from Kristen in getting rid of evidence. How soon did she sale her car after Nick borrowed it? It is a travesty of justice that car was not searched for 10 yrs. They did find traces of human blood in that car but because so much time went by valuable evidence was lost. Prayerbone I have a thread going that has kind of died out on the "other" subject. Have you seen it? [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Well, I didn't think I could be MORE convinced of guilt until I saw the 20/20 episode and the info about Kristen. That really more than sealed the deal for me, it cemented it. And of course that is only a snipet of the evidence they have. I am confused about the car swap though and will be interested to find out at trial what really happened there, mainly because how that went down will give a clue, I think, to who the unindicted ones are. I wonder if the DA will identify who they are and what their role was. Was Kristen one?

I don't know that SHE sold the car. She borrowed it, remember?? i think the original owner is the one who sold it. And yes it is a travesty that the car was not searched for ten years. I guess the PI my family hired had SOMETHING right because this is the direction he was headed in. He actually told me he was looking for the car but he had understood it had been smashed (?) or however you say that when they dispose of vehicles. Apparently he was wrong about that part.

I do not remembering hearing she borrowed the car. I am going to watch the 20/20 show again tonight. How did I miss that? Laga I really do think Kristen is one of the people who finally cracked and told the truth.

Oh yes she did. I know the name of the person she borrowed it from. But I don't think I should be the one to reveal that. I don't know this person personally but do know the name.

Also, bare in mind that the name Steinhoff is very well known around Coos County. And not in a good way. Kristen's uncle is the one they believe killed Jeremy Bright. His Mom sent me a message on FB saying it really freaked her out when she watched the show and heard the name Steinhoff. He died in prison...wasn't in there for Jeremy's murder - other charges. How sick and demented is it that he went to his grave and never told? Jeremy's remains have never been found. His sister Ste' is a member here and has posted a few times. That case is 24 or 26 years old now.

But yes.....it was a borrowed car.

Laga - it said in the show that Nick went to Kristen's at midnight. That that was when they used the Kia she had borrowed. I think that is the car swapping you are referring to???

I really meant the other car swap, with the parent's car. I did hear that on 20/20 about the kia and Kristen at midnight. And someone said he was acting "normal".......

Oh I see what you are saying. I don't think he had his parents car that night. I could be wrong about that though......not sure. Sorry!

Usually it takes all the evidence to have a clear picture of guilt, each piece being unimportant or easily explained innocently, but with all pieces together the picture is clear and proof of guilt. For me that is not the case here, each little piece is very incriminating I think. The car trunk, the bonfire, the drive around looking but not checking her home, now Kristen and the kia. Then there's the failed poly, the time unaccounted for.....I wonder could Leah's bedroom light be seen from the street if he drove by as he stated? I keep remembering all those binders, so much evidence, they are ready!!!!!!

I am pretty sure I read and heard that Nick had swapped the Mustang for his Parents car that night. I will try to find where I read or heard that. So he had possibly 3 car's that night? It was the 20/20 show that revealed the borrowed car. The Jeremy Bright part of Cory's post is just blowing my mind.

Cory, I didn't know they had a POI in Jeremy's case, that case is so sad. It is a bit freaky that it is k's uncle, wow. Maybe the same team can gather evidence in that case too, that would be good after all these years to at least have a resolution, I think, although that takes away any hope of finding him alive. So sad.

lindamarie wrote:I am pretty sure I read and heard that Nick had swapped the Mustang for his Parents car that night. I will try to find where I read or heard that. So he had possibly 3 car's that night? It was the 20/20 show that revealed the borrowed car. The Jeremy Bright part of Cory's post is just blowing my mind.

Yes LM, he was spotted in parent's tbird by several people, then back in the mustang. The time in between the swaps led me to believe someone met up with him for the swap of cars as there was not enough time to drive to parents's home and back. Now there may be doubt about the witnesses and if they did indeed see him in his parent's car, doubt just because they did not mention it on 20/20, I think. I don't know where the doubt is, we certainly don't know all the evidence and exactly what happened that night, but we soon will.

It is so interesting where these chats can take us. Wow 3 car's? Speaks volumes to me. No one needs 3 different car's in one night unless there is trouble going on. Up to no good at all when your spotted in 3 different car's. The really good part of this is they have some wittiness that put Nick with Leah after 9 pm. Not looking to good for him. Anyone have any criminal records on him? Like maybe an arrest for domestic abuse?

I agree LM......Witnesses that put Nick with Leah after 9:00 pm is HUGE to me!

I don't know about any arrests for domestic abuse but there was a court order for him to stay away from Meagan much later on (before she turned 18)......Of course he didn't follow THAT order either. The guy just thinks he is above the law....Bet he doesn't think so now!!! LOL! Didn't 20/20 mention something about a guy with a police (or criminal) record?? The tall thin man from Vidocq? Didn't he say something about that? I don't think Nick had a criminal record though. Not to my knowledge anyway.

Laga - Yes. I THINK his name is Terry Steinhoff. There used to be a video of what they think happened....I will go see if I can find it.

I am going to watch the video posted again. I think that your right and the tall skinny man "The Chain Smoker" said something about a Man with a criminal history. Here in Iowa those are public record except for juveniles. I wish I could check Coos county records.

I don't know about any arrests for domestic abuse but there was a court order for him to stay away from Meagan much later on (before she turned 18)......Of course he didn't follow THAT order either.

Apparently, neither did she. What a pain she was!!!!!

I am really swamped at work but just wanted to say one thing that has me at Hello...

Doesn't go to Cory's house first to see if she made it home, but is seen Driving around all night looking for Leah, swapping out not 2, but 3 cars Also hitting on Kristin while "looking" for Leah... Cory Calls in the morning.. He says.. WHAT? SHE's NOT HOME...

Um, Hello... then why was he out looking for Leah if he thought she made it home, why was he acting so surprised she never made it home

OOOOOoooooooooooooh Mommy, good point!!!!!!!!!!!

Retired Federal Marshall, author, and Statement Analysis instructor, Mark McClish will join us on this week's "Peter Hyatt Show" at BlogTalkRadio, at 6PM EST.

This past Friday, Mark McClish appeared on ABC's "20/20" on the case for Leah Freeman.



10 years ago, Leah Freeman went missing.

"More than a decade after 15-year-old Leah Freeman's body was found dumped a few miles from her home in Coquille, Ore., a trial date has been set for the man accused of killing her.

Nick McGuffin, who was Leah's boyfriend at the time of her death in 2000, is expected to stand trial for her murder on May 10, 2011.

ABC News' "20/20" was given exclusive access during the re-opening of this decade-old cold case with a fresh investigative team, including on the day police went in to apprehend McGuffin, the person they had suspected from the beginning." (ABC)

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Mark was contacted by ABC for his expert analysis. He concluded that Nick McGuffin was deceptive in his statement. Note Mark in the last few minutes of the video points out that one simple word, spoken in the past tense, is enough to point the investigation towards the subject.
Mark is an author, lecturer, commentator, and currently is conducting seminars for law enforcement, businesses, journalists, therapists, investigators, etc, in Statement Analysis and conducting interviews from a statement.

In an interview, Mark was asked, "What Is Statement Analysis?"

His answer itself is instructive:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I must admit I don't understand the Kristin thing at all. I've got to rewatch 20/20. I think I remember her saying something like he warned her to keep quiet. But I remember it just trailing off after that. Quiet about what? That he borrowed her car? That he made a pass at her that night? That he shared something about Leah with her? That he instigated her help in disposing of evidence somehow? People just don't get "warned" about keeping quiet without having some idea of what it is they need to keep quiet about. Whatever it is, I hope that LE KNOWS and it is just not allowed to be shared at this point.

Whatever it is, Kristin sure was adament about having no knowledge or hand in Leah's death. Was she ever given a poly? Is she cooperating with police, or has she since lawyered up?

I remember, too toward the end of the segment that she did admit to feeling that Nick was guilty of something -- just in the way he was acting that night. IF she's innocent of having any knowledge or hand in it that night...I think Kristin should be sighing in relief right now that there was no dna found in her old car. I could just picture the defense getting Nick off by pointing the finger at her.

Mommy-I THINK that Nick made the statement that he drove past the house in the wee hours of the morning (2:30??) and noticed her "light on" and so,
assumed she got home and drove home himself. The thing that gets me more than anything (besides the changing of 3 cars) is the fact that he supposedly drove around for over 4 hours after calling Cory that night and telling her he'd find her. That's a hell of a lot of time. I wouldn't even let that much time go by if my dog went missing -- I'd be constantly calling the house during my drive to see if the dog was brought home by someone or if there was any calls about the dog.

Let's face it, kids that age just don't have the attention span to look for someone for 40 minutes, let
alone well over 4 hours. WITH NO FOLLOW UP CALL TO HER HOUSE.

There was lots of things I missed and I have planning to go back and watch it again. I tried to the other night watch it again but I kept getting interrupted. I thought I paid close attention but I found out I missed things.

I really want to watch, however I know it will be so sad I don't think I can yet.

Mayhem wrote:

Whatever it is, Kristin sure was adament about having no knowledge or hand in Leah's death. Was she ever given a poly? Is she cooperating with police, or has she since lawyered up?

Ya, they showed that in the 20/20 segment that she failed and that is why she was crying and flipping out cause she couldn't understand why she failed..

Let's face it, kids that age just don't have the attention span to look for someone for 40 minutes, let
alone well over 4 hours. WITH NO FOLLOW UP CALL TO HER HOUSE.

EXACTLY My point. To just assume she made it home but still drove around 4 hours looking for her, makes NO sense to me what so ever. That is why I always thought he was just trying to give himself an alibi. IMO!!

As usual, it bothers me sbout the trunk of Nick's care being totally wiped clean and empty! Empty. Not even a tire jack or carpet, no spare tire, very suspicious.

Yes Critter that has always bothered me as well. Not to mention the bon-fire that they had shortly after Leah was presumed to be missing.

And, the outrageous thing about it is that anyone who helped him cover this up can't be prosecuted now because the statute of limitations is up for accessory to murder! I forgot what the limit was, but it was discussed on a thread a while ago. A law that definitely needs to be changed!

I believe I heard 3 years lisette. Unbelievable huh? You can be an accomplice to murder in the state of Oregon and if you aren't caught within 3 years.....Well you are just as free as a bird. Wow. Hard to believe huh??? Yes - it needs to be changed. Perhaps I am the woman for that job??? Get er done!! :cheering:

We do need to sponsor a bill of law names after Leah to get that law changed. How we go about it I don't know.

lindamarie wrote:We do need to sponsor a bill of law names after Leah to get that law changed. How we go about it I don't know.

When things have calmed down from the Holidays I will check with the Victims Assistance on what to do here. Seems like someone said we need to contact our Govenor first of all. ????

Is he any good? I agree..3 years is NOTHING! That is despicable really. You might have to end up taking this to the Senate and make it "Leah's Law".

Until Nick was arrested, I had NO idea that there was a 3 year statue of limitations on accessory to murder! I'm outraged at that Cory! I agree with all of you, this would be a darn good reason to take it all the way and make it 'Leah's Law'.

I love the sound of that "Leahs Law". :cheering: