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

Has the jury reached a verdict?

As those words are spoken, the judge, prosecutor and defense lawyer wait to hear who wins.

The defendant waits to hear his fate.

For everyone involved, a murder trial is a roller-coaster of tension, terror and trauma. Tuesday will begin the trial in one of Coos County's most notorious killings - the 10-year-old cold case involving the death of Leah Freeman.

As the lawyers finished their preparations this week, The World interviewed justice-system insiders about the high-stakes drama that takes place whenever a murder goes to trial.

Captives of the system

Aside from the defendant, the friends and family members of victims experience the greatest emotional strain in a trial. They listen as lawyers scrutinize every agonizing detail of the slaying.

"We are dealing with people in the worst moments of their lives," said Josh Marquis, the district attorney for Clatsop County. "They are captive to a legal system that they have very little control over."

Marquis said prosecutors have learned to prepare victims' loved ones for trial.

"We stay in touch with families, meet with them," he said. "They're entitled to that."

Yet, when the trial begins, the families become silent spectators, watching a choreographed performance they cannot control. They are not even the dancers' primary audience.

"When you're trying a case, the only 12 people who matter in the world are the 12 people in the jury box," Marquis said.

The prosecutor

When someone is killed, the district attorney is involved in the investigation from the beginning. Some even go to the crime scene.

The district attorney helps police complete the investigation with an eye on what evidence can be used during an eventual trial.

In some cases, police interview hundreds of witnesses and gather forensic evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA. But the process is not what we see on television, Marquis said.

"Popular culture has created an image, called the CSI Effect," Marquis said. "It's a heightened expectation of people for the existence of modern forensic techniques."

Real forensic science can be helpful, he said. But tests take weeks or months to complete. And forensic evidence doesn't exist in some cases.

With or without the gee-whiz technology, police eventually identify a suspect. If the DA believes the evidence is sufficient to prove guilt, he files a murder charge.

"Ethically, a prosecutor can't bring charges unless they are sure, or as sure as you can be," Marquis said.

The defense

Defense lawyers begin by going searching the DA's case for holes that can create doubt in jurors' minds. Often, the defense will re-interview witnesses - although here, too, TV has misled us.

Unlike their TV counterparts, real lawyers rarely conduct their own investigations personally. Doing so might make them witnesses in the case. So they hire investigators, who can testify in the trial if necessary. The defense's ability to investigate is limited by what the client can afford, said Robert McCrea, one of McGuffin's lawyers.

A lawyer doesn't have to believe the client is innocent to defend him. In fact, lawyers can represent someone even if they know he's guilty.

"It doesn't make any difference what they believe," said Judge Steve Reed of Columbia County Circuit Court.

"They look at the strength of the state's case."

But they can't call someone to the witness stand if they know the witness will lie. That would be facilitating perjury.

"I won't let them take the stand," said Allen Goldman, Coos County public defender.

Guilty or innocent, Goldman knows his clients are going through the worst moments of their lives.

"People say, ‘How can you represent someone who has done such terrible things?'" he said. "I'm not the judge and I'm not the jury. Everyone is entitled to a fair defense."

The judge

From behind the bench, a murder trial is not much different from any other trial, Reed said. The judge makes sure both sides play fair, as is defined by law.

"The judge's job is to make sure evidence is admissible," Reed said. "And make sure things run fairly and smoothly."

At the end of the trial, the judge instructs the jury on how to approach its important decision. The key question: Has the prosecution proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt?

The evidence

Anyone who watches "Law & Order" knows a guilty verdict requires the prosecution to prove its case "beyond reasonable doubt." The phrase doesn't mean a total absence of doubt.

Reasonable doubt is defined as honest uncertainty. Jurors are instructed to filter the evidence through common sense and reason. After doing that, they must be convinced to a moral certainty of the defendant's guilt.

Achieving that level of proof gives the prosecution a tougher job than the defense, Reed said.

"Beyond a reasonable doubt is a high standard of proof," he said.

So the state calls witness after witness. Murder trials can take weeks.

"You start out with an empty plate," Marquis said. "And unless the state can pile enough evidence on that plate, the defendant walks."

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

I forgot to ask. Has a jury been chosen yet?

No, Jeanne. I think everything starts Tuesday.

Cory, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure that you have some difficult times to get through in the next few weeks, but I know that you are ready to get Justice for Leah...Just know that you are being lifted up in prayer.

Thank you Charm. After I asked I thought..no way would they have a jury chosen and sitting and waiting for a month.

I wonder can we read about the trial in any newspapers or will there be any kind of coverage?

Maybe somebody can let us know? I am sure Cory won't be posting.

Cory I don't see your posts so I am sure you are in knots waiting for this trial to begin.

Thinking about you every single day. God Bless.

I called the local stations and was told they don't have the capability for a live feed. So, we will have to depend on the internet.

Cory, you hang in there, woman!! My thoughts have been on you double duty the past few days!

Cory~

I talked with God this morning, and lifted you in prayer.
I knew you were weighted down with much heartache, pain and care.
I knew you faced decisions, so hard for you to make,
I asked that God would guide you, and show the road to take.
I asked for God to touch you, and take your pain away,
be it his will, or give you strength each day.

He promised he will be there, to comfort and sustain.
He’ll share your every burden, and soothe your every pain.
Just give him all your heartache, you’ll feel a peace inside,
and such a joy in knowing, God’s walking by your side.

His grace is all-sufficient, your trials he’ll help you through
Cast all your care upon Him….for he careth for you.

McGuffin trial for the murder of Leah Freeman rescheduled for July 5 – 22

The trial in the eleven year old murder is being talked about locally as the trial of the century.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

A interesting blog on the The World web site.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Another blog you might all want to check out. It seems that Nicks Parents bought a "piece of paradise".
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

lindamarie wrote:Another blog you might all want to check out. It seems that Nicks Parents bought a "piece of paradise".
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

What the heck kind of money do Nicks parents have anyway? Most people go bankrupt hiring attorneys for guilty children?

My understanding is they bought that property right before Nick was arrested. I do wonder if they sold it or if they plan to get away after the trial?

Just checking to see if anything had happened yet...Is there a local link that we can check?

Jury selection is now underway in Nick McGuffin's murder trial. He’s accused of killing his girlfriend, Leah Freeman, in 2000. McGuffin's defense filed a change of venue motion earlier this year, but withdrew it after an expert surveyed the community, and determined the people of Coos County could be unbiased as jurors. Now, the prosecution and defense must agree on a jury of twelve, plus alternates. Many coquille residents say they'll be watching the trial closely.

Jury selection lasted well into Tuesday afternoon; officials may have a better idea on how long the selection process will take Wednesday.

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

Thank goodness this trial will not turn in to the circus the Casey Anthony murder trial is/was. I wish for more news from the court room but a fair trial is more important.

COOS COUNTY, Ore. -- Jury selection began in the trial of a Coquille man accused of killing his teenage girlfriend more than a decade ago.

Nicholas McGuffin is accused of killing Leah Freeman, 15, back in 2000.

Her body was found later that summer, but McGuffin wasn't arrested until August 2010.

Opening arguments in the case will begin as soon as the jury is filled, which could be Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

If McGuffin is convicted of murder, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jury Selection Begins in Coquille Murder Trial | KEZI
URL: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I am transferring all my negative feelings into positive ones on this thread. For Leah!

Thank you for saying that, Charm!!! As I stated on the Anthony thread, Cory needs us and she needs us to be positive for her. Hopefully, the juror's that are picked in this case will be fair and really listen to all the evidence. Cory's time is NOW. She has waited WAY too long!!

Fifteen-year-old Coquille teen Leah Freeman was hanging out with friends on a warm summer night back on June 28, 2000.

That was the last time anyone would see her alive.

Nick McGuffin, her boyfriend at the time, told investigators he went to pick her up but never found her.

That's when the search began.

"If anybody knows where she is, will you please come forward?" said Leah's mom, Cory Courtright, just days after her disappearance.

Five days later, investigators found a blood splotched shoe belonging to Leah in a cemetery across from Coquille High School.

In the weeks after her disappearance, investigators questioned 18-year-old McGuffin.

His car and home were searched and investigators administered a polygraph test, which court documents show he failed.

Then on Aug. 3, five weeks after she disappeared, a search team found Freeman's decomposed body down a hill off a dirt road 9 miles east of Coquille.

Police didn't name McGuffin as a suspect and the case went cold - until 2009.

Coquille Police Chief Mark Dannels reopened the case after family and community pressure, interviewing hundreds of witnesses.

"There's been some real challenges in a 10 year, we've sought the best to make this happen," he said at a 2009 press conference.

And last August, more than 10 years later, police arrested McGuffin (at right) and charged him with murder.

"It was like finally, finally, finally this happened," said Courtright. "because yeah, I think they got the right guy."

Originally scheduled to start May 9, the trial was pushed back after one of McGuffin's lawyers had a medical emergency.

Jury selection got underway Tuesday at the Coos County Courthouse in Coquille.

The trial could start as early as Wednesday, and is expected to last three weeks.

McGuffin was charged with murder, not aggravated murder.

Because of this, the maximum sentence he can receive is life in prison with possibility of parole in 25 years.

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

Thinking of you Cory.

The current time and date in Oregon, United States is
7:02 AM
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Here in Iowa it is 9:02 am. I am anxiously awaiting the start of jury selection this morning. I am praying they will have a jury seated by this afternoon.

It is sad we are getting so little news. I checked twitter and no one is tweeting from the court room either.

It is sad isn't it. I am glad that this trial is starting AFTER the Casey Anthony Trial!

Let us all pray it does NOT end the way hers did!

Potential jurors were easy to spot Tuesday as they wandered in and out of the courthouse with their bright red oval 'Juror" tags.
The tags are hauled out for high-profile cases, in this case Nick McGuffin's murder trial.
Jurors are not allowed to talk about the case, and the pins make it easy for the public, county employees, and press to spot them and stay quiet.
Jury selection for McGuffin's trial for the murder of Leah Freeman is expected to continue at least through this afternoon.
Opening statements could commence as early as 1 p.m.
A metal detector guards the door of Coos County Circuit Court Judge Richard Barron's room where McGuffin's fate will be decided.
This is also standard procedure for high-profile cases, a courthouse spokeswoman said.
Anyone entering the courtroom must pass through the metal detector and put all baggage through a X-ray screener.
The extra security measures are to spot things that are banned in the courthouse to start with, such as knives, guns and other weapons.
McGuffin's trial is scheduled to run for the next three weeks.


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

I SO wish I could be there for opening statements tomorrow!!

I wonder if there will be a local reporter from either the World or KCBY updating FB'ers? I need to look into that! This sux that we can't watch it live

Thank you LM and BJ for keeping us up to date on what is happening.

I keep thinking of Cory. Perhaps we could start a prayer circle at say 9pm..Central time and pray that Cory has the strength to continue on each day.

I hope she has somebody holding her up during this trial and I hope the heart that Laga made and we all filled with prayers brings her peace.

The trial of Nicholas McGuffin, the man accused of killing Leah Freeman more than a decade ago will begin Wednesday morning.

Opening arguments were set to begin but were postponed because jury selection took longer than anticipated.

District attorney, Paul Fraiser, expects the trial to have extra security because of its high-profile status.

That came in handy when a random bystander tried to take photographs of the jurors during a break but police stopped him.

"He got kinda upset, he already put it on YouTube, that's my understanding. His video, his contact with the police. But it is strictly prohibited you cannot photograph jurors--period," says Fraiser.

Investigators say McGuffin murdered 15-year-old Freeman back in 2000.

Her body was found more than a month later but McGuffin wasn't arrested until August 2010.

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

Picture-taker creates disturbance at Courthouse
By Tim Novotny KCBY News
Story Published: Jul 6, 2011 at 6:49 PM PDT
Jury selection may have taken just a little longer than anticipated for the trial of the man accused of killing Leah Freeman, but it was an incident outside the courthouse that created a bigger stir Wednesday.
The trial of Nick McGuffin will now officially proceed on Thursday, as a jury was finalized at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier says the process took a little longer than with your average case, because of all of the pre-trial publicity that this long unsolved case had generated.
"We wanted to make sure we did things right." However, Frasier added, taking a day or a day-and-a-half, under the circumstances, is not a big deal.
What was a big deal, was a man spotted outside the courthouse taking pictures of potential jurors during a break. Readily identifiable by the big "juror" button on their shirts and jackets.
"There was an individual that decided that he wanted to photograph the jurors, which is strictly prohibited." Frasier said law enforcement approached the man and told him to stop taking pictures, but he reacted angrily.
"You cannot photograph jurors. Period. And he's been told that. I don't know if he got the message...don't do it. Because he will get prosecuted if he does."
The 12 jurors and two alternates, who will not be sequestered, were led on a tour of pertinent sites later in the afternoon on Wednesday.
They will be back in court for opening arguments on July 7, 2011, starting at about 9:00 a.m.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

jeanne1807 wrote:Thank you LM and BJ for keeping us up to date on what is happening.

I keep thinking of Cory. Perhaps we could start a prayer circle at say 9pm..Central time and pray that Cory has the strength to continue on each day.

I hope she has somebody holding her up during this trial and I hope the heart that Laga made and we all filled with prayers brings her peace.

Jeanne It is my pleasure. I think a prayer circle at 9 am Oregon time is perfect. Light the candle and post them here please.

Cory, I am thinking of you as I always do and sending my love and support your way!

It's 9:00 in Oregon....My heart, love and thoughts are there with you Cory.

My thoughts and my prayers are with you Cory and they will be each and every day of this trial.

BJ posted this on the public thread. I am also posting these news articles here for blogging purposes.

After a decade of anguish, Cory Courtright will get the chance today to do something that no mother could ever imagine looking forward to: testifying in the murder trial of the man accused of killing her 15-year-old daughter.

But Courtright has awaited this day for a long time, haranguing authorities to stay on the case, appealing to the media to keep her daughter’s story in the spotlight, posting investigative materials on a website in order to point the finger squarely at the girl’s then-boyfriend, Nicholas James McGuffin.

Now, after two days of jury selection that ended with the 12 people who will decide McGuffin’s fate piling into a school bus and touring the 11-year-old crime scenes, Courtright will finally get the chance to help put away the man she believes killed her daughter, Leah Freeman. But that decision is largely out of her hands.

Prosecutors admit they have zero physical evidence in the case against McGuffin, which may help explain why they called an unprecedented 114 witnesses in the grand jury proceedings last year to win an indictment against the man.

Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier said he intends to call 65 witnesses over the estimated four days he believes he’ll need to present his case — perhaps the largest group he’s ever subpoenaed, he said.

But that doesn’t foretell a weak case, Frasier insists. The reason for the staggering number of witnesses is because there are people who have bits and pieces of the evidence the prosecutor wants the jury to hear, and he says he needs them all to tell a complete story.

“It’s just that there are a lot of people who have a little piece of the puzzle,” Frasier said Wednesday. “It’s a matter of putting it all together.”

One witness Frasier won’t be calling is the city’s former police chief. The DA canceled the subpoena of Mark Dannels, with whom he teamed up shortly before the Arizona transplant first arrived in Coquille to bring a new energy and focus to the cold case. But Dannels left the department in May and would now need to be flown back from Arizona to testify. The budget-wary DA says he was only planning to use Dannels for a single conversation he had with McGuffin back in 2009, and another officer was there at the time who’s still in town.

“I’ve got seven people charged with murder in the county jail right now,” Frasier said. “I don’t have unlimited funds to try these cases.”

The former chief is clearly frustrated he won’t be a part of the case he helped break open.

“The city stepped up and said ‘We’ll pay his way back, he’s the face of the case,’ but Frasier said no,” Dannels said. “Lets just hope they get a conviction.”

McGuffin and his attorneys might expect to have a high level of confidence in avoiding a conviction, given the state’s nonexistent physical evidence and reliance on dozens of pieced-together witness statements.

Instead, what worries Bob McCrea, a Eugene attorney who is representing McGuffin along with his daughter, lead counsel Shaun McCrea, is how much media attention his client has received, including a national report on ABC’s “20/20” that aired last year.

A recent survey of Coos County area residents indicates most are quite familiar with the case, and many already have made up their minds about McGuffin’s guilt or innocence, Bob McCrea told The Register-Guard last week. But because many respondents also said they felt they could remain impartial about the case, McCrea said, he didn’t feel he had sufficient cause to ask Judge Richard Barrons for a change of venue.

Frasier had said earlier that he expected such a motion, but that he hadn’t seen one granted in Coos County in 20-plus years on the job. On Wednesday, upon the completion of jury selection, Frasier said he was surprised at how many of the approximately 70 prospective jurors interviewed said they’d never heard of Leah Freeman, much less made up their minds about who murdered her.

Though 46 people were excused for one reason or another — including a Coquille garbageman who warned that people’s trash would not be collected were he to take two weeks off — the vast majority had never heard about the case, Frasier said.

“I thought there’d be more of an issue there, but only three or four of them expressed an opinion that they needed to be excused” because of prior knowledge, Frasier said.

Today’s proceedings will begin with opening statements by the prosecution and the defense, though Shaun McCrea could choose to wait until the state has finished presenting its case so as not to tip her hand.

Courtright will be one of the first witnesses Frasier calls to the stand.

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