7/19 - Nick McGuffin guilty of manslaughter in the death of Leah Freeman/ Nicholas McGuffin sentenced to 10 years/ Judge will hear McGuffin's motion on 9/9/2011/BREAKING NEWS: JUDGE WILL NOT ALLOW A NEW TRIAL!!!!!

Judge Richard Barron says no to a new murder trial for Nick McGuffin, who was accused of recklessly causing the death of his girlfriend, Leah Freeman, back in 2000.
In July, a 12 person jury found McGuffin guilty of manslaughter for the death of Freeman, and now two months later, McGuffin's defense team is back in court for a hearing on their motion for a re-trial.
Shaun McCrea argues four points that, she contends, should lead to a re-trial, including the admittance of certain evidence, specifically his use of drugs and his sexual encounters with various women during the time freeman disappeared.
"The jury is being told Mr. McGuffin's a druggie, he's a very sexual being. They didn't like that, especially with nine women jurors. They held it against him, he's a bad person, and that coupled with Mr. Brakefield's claim made it more believable because the jury believed he was a bad person," remarks defense attorney Shaun McCrea.
McCrea also claimed, certain things shouldn't have been included in the trial because they weren't relevant to the death of Freeman. But Judge Barron points out that it doesn't take much to make something relevant in the court of law.
"There's not much that it takes to make something relevant. It could be relevant for very little. There might be then an issue of, well its relevant to the point where it outweighs prejudice but relevancy is... there's not a lot that requires or makes it relevant," says Judge Barron.
McCrea also argued that the court should have granted McGuffin's motion for judgment of acquittal, there was jury misconduct, and the state should not have charged McGuffin with murder when the prosecution never believed McGuffin intended to kill Freeman.
McGuffin's defense team has made it clear from the beginning that they will appeal his guilty verdict to the state appellate court.

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The jury is being told Mr. McGuffin's a druggie, he's a very sexual being. They didn't like that, especially with nine women jurors. They held it against him, he's a bad person, and that coupled with Mr. Brakefield's claim made it more believable because the jury believed he was a bad person," remarks defense attorney Shaun McCrea.

Ms. McCrea, that is a very weak argument, I am not an attorney but I doubt there is any law that says a prosecutor is not allowed to define a defendant's character. The jury believed he is a bad person BECAUSE HE IS A BAD PERSON!!!!! He took the life away from another human being, a precious, beautiful person, an innocent young girl who was in his company, trusting him to do her no harm.

The fact that he was trying to have sex with another girl and the fact that he was smoking pot or doing other drugs was not admitted into evidence to make the jury dislike him, it was to prove his actions that night were not as he claimed. Those facts were to prove the case that he was the one who committed the murder.

Way to go Judge!

Hello VH!! OMG! You do all remember me don't ya?? LOL!

Wow. It's been quite and interesting summer! Nothing like spending it in a courtroom! If I never have to see another courtroom it will be too soon!! Oh wait....That's right...I was just told yesterday by Nicks freaking weirdo Aunt that they'll be seeing me in Salem next time! (Appeal court) There is also the State Mental Hospital there.....I thought that was what she was talking about at first and told her it appeared as though she had already been there!!!! I didn't understand her stupid comment and I don't guess she understood mine either!!!!

Well, I know 10 years doesn't seem like much time for killing another human being but it is better than nothing. He did it He did it He did it. No....That's not what he said at all! Oh yes, I remember now "I'm innocent I'm innocent I'm innocent". Um yeah Nick....Sure don't look so innocent in the SNAKE RIVER PRISON, Ya Hey! BTW....Did anyone happen to notice the handwriting on "his speech"???? Ok.....Yeah, no! I don't think "someone" else wrote that!!!!!! Absolutely RIDICULOUS!!

It was amazing.....Nick actually looked "happy" (somewhat) on the video cam in court yesterday. Must have had a "really good night"! Clovis and Bubba probably "showing him around". Oh. Well he is in there with another scumbag from Coquille - Remember the name Patrick Horath??? Yes, Jayme Austins killer. Wow those two probably have at least 9 years of chatting about what they did to their victims. Sick SOB's.

McCrae whined about no fair trial.... Cry all ya want there McCrae - He's been found Guilty by a jury of his peers. Surly she remembers helping pick that jury. Remember? The jury that she said "We think the good people of Coos County can reach a fair verdict". Well, now you have your verdict - DEAL WITH IT!

So how is everyone here?????

There is also the State Mental Hospital there.....I thought that was what she was talking about at first and told her it appeared as though she had already been there!!!!

She is probably just getting your comment today and going :jaw dropping:

It is good to see you have not lost your great sense of humor! You crack me up!

What is that about the handwriting in his speech? Did his mommy write it for him?

Yeah, McCrea didn't have a leg to stand on and it will be the same in Salem. They better watch out while there, the hospital might think some of them are escapees......

About the handwriting on his speech......Sure looks like "female" writing to me......By the time he gets out of there he just might wanna be a FEMALE!!!!!!!!!! So yeah Laga.....I would Highly suspect Mommie Dearest wrote it. Probably still wipes his A** for him too! And speaking of Mommie Dearest, I hope she CRIES ALL SHE WANTS - HE'S GUILTY!!!! Ha Ha!!

Oh Nick belongs in prison all right and I think that *Snake River* sounds like it was built just for him. Clovis and Bubba were probably waiting at the gate for him to 'break him in' , no wonder he looked happy on the video cam!
I think it's poetic justice that he's on the inside with Patrick Horath, they're both scum of the earth.
I love what you said to the Aunt!!! I hope she's still trying to figure it out.
It seems like all McCrae does is whine Cory. She sure is a sore loser but oh well, she lost fair and square.
I am so glad that this part of your long ordeal is over Cory. I hope now you are enjoying having a life with your grandkids and your daughter. I know Leah's looking down at you saying *you go Mom*, she's your angel forever.
Good to see you posting!

Sheesh, I thought she was going to rehash the whole trial all over again. Well, what did it say on the news? 2 hours I believe. I didn't think she was ever going to .

So yeah Raine, I'm glad this part of my journey is over too. I've been seeing lots more of Denise and the kids lately. Alton and Leigha are back to school but Wednesdays are now "Granny/Leigha Day". Yep. She is starting to take guitar lessons on Wednesdays and I got nominated to take her! :cheering: Alton's soccer should start any time and I always enjoy watching him play. Cayla is busy being Cayla and Ryker has been sick for 2 days now. (Wow - I really hope Denise is done having kids!!!)

Thanks Raine - it's good to be back! (where is everyone??? LOL!!)

Cory it is so good to see your posts. We have really missed you around here.

raine said I know Leah's looking down at you saying *you go Mom*, she's your angel forever.

I love how raine put this. I can picture it in my mind.

LM!!!! Ahh! Awesome! I missed you all so much!! It's GREAT to be back! I loved what raine said too.... it reminds me of that one video of her where she is all dressed up for the prom and it shows a close up of her face and she is moving in slow motion. She looks so beautiful in that video.

We have quite a few beautiful pictures of Leah. All of them good. But your avatar is my absolute favorite. She was such a happy girl and it shows in all of them.

lindamarie wrote:We have quite a few beautiful pictures of Leah. All of them good. But your avatar is my absolute favorite. She was such a happy girl and it shows in all of them.

Yep. She WAS happy then. That was part of her 8th grade graduation - 3 months before she met Nick.

Where's Wrap??

LOL!!!! I am right here!!!!! I am SO glad to see you posting, knowing you have nothing to concern you anymore. Big MaGuffin and clan can go piss up a rope while you swing on one!!!

Love you!! :celebration:

Wrapitup wrote:LOL!!!! I am right here!!!!! I am SO glad to see you posting, knowing you have nothing to concern you anymore. Big MaGuffin and clan can go piss up a rope while you swing on one!!!

Love you!! :celebration:

OMG !!! I have never heard anyone use the phrase "piss up a rope" other than my Mother!!!! LMAO!!! Too funny!!

I'm just so damn happy to be here I could just

I am not old enough to be your mother but if the phrase fits...MaGuffin can wear it and wear it Proudly!!!!

SO Happy to see you back!!!!! :cheering: :trampoline:

Wrapitup wrote:If I hear him say he is "Innocent" one more time, I am going to stab myself!

laga wrote:I think we should file a class action suit against the GUILTY /CONVICTED nick for causing stress to our leader, so much so that she wants to stab herself. The suit would not be for monetary reasons but a cease and desist order to stop uttering the word "innocent" and I personally want to add "Leah". It makes me want to stab (but not myself) when I hear him say her name.

Hi Cory. Glad to see you "back home again". We surely missed you.

What a year!

jeanne1807 wrote:Hi Cory. Glad to see you "back home again". We surely missed you.

What a year!

Yay! Hello my friend!! It is SO good to be back home! I missed you all so much. I came here a few times, heard Nick saying "I am innocent. I am innocent. I am innocent", and well a few of those and I had to stay away! I thought I was losing my mind!
You are correct Jeanne.....What a year!!!! One I will certainly never forget! Now, if I could just get those Guffin freaks out of my mind. The only time I think about them and smile is when I remember Judge Barron throwing Ma Guffin and Twiggy out!!! No humility for her though....Just came right back as if nothing had happened! Talk about a Class Act!

Maybe the mcgoofs will move to their "piece of paradise" and grace someone else with their classinesscrassiness.

laga wrote:Maybe the mcgoofs will move to their "piece of paradise" and grace someone else with their classinesscrassiness.

Wonder if they need any help packing!!!! LOL! I do know that they had an estate sale a few weeks ago, so what is the hold up?? Wish they'd get the hell outta here. Those people are EVIL.

EVIL....I agree, there are many that need to be behind bars for the crime!

Cory wrote:

jeanne1807 wrote:Hi Cory. Glad to see you "back home again". We surely missed you.

What a year!

Yay! Hello my friend!! It is SO good to be back home! I missed you all so much. I came here a few times, heard Nick saying "I am innocent. I am innocent. I am innocent", and well a few of those and I had to stay away! I thought I was losing my mind!
You are correct Jeanne.....What a year!!!! One I will certainly never forget! Now, if I could just get those Guffin freaks out of my mind. The only time I think about them and smile is when I remember Judge Barron throwing Ma Guffin and Twiggy out!!! No humility for her though....Just came right back as if nothing had happened! Talk about a Class Act!

My suggestion would be that everytime the McGuffins come into your mind you program it to remember those sweet words said by the jury "GUILTY".

Well guys, here is an excerpt of emails I have gotten from Cory.

bottom to top:


Kathie...I did it!! I have NEVER seen anything happen so fast as this Dr. Phil thing! You would NOT believe it! Wow! I am EXTREMELY TIRED......flat f\'ing EXHAUSTED is more like it. In fact I am so tired I can't even go into details right now. I just got home about 2 hours ago and I have GOT to get some shut eye. HOWEVER I have GOT to tell you this! I met (I hope I get this spelling right) Lisa Bloom today and she even let a guy take a pic of her and Melissa and me after the show! I'll post it later (it's on Melissa's phone and she hasn't forwarded it to me yet) I told her about VH!! She asked me how I get through my days and I told her that long before the trial and even during the trial how much of support all the members of VH are/were to me!
Anyhoo.....tiredness has got the best of me so I gotta close.
Cory

P.S. YES! You can tell VH! I don't have an air date yet but they will call before it airs.I hope I can find time to go to VH tomorrow......Miss you guys!

--- On Tue, 9/20/11, Cory Courtright wrote:

From: Cory Courtright
Subject: Dr. Phil
To: "Kathie Ash"
Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 2:35 AM


Kathie....

I am typing this so fast and am in the biggest whirl spin right now!! OMG! Dr Phil's staff called me about 4 hours ago. I have been on the phone with them for HOURS! I am supposed to be getting on a plane tomorrow to do an interview! Can you even believe this?? God I don't even know if I am making any sense here!! Wow! I just HAD to let you know! At first I thought it was some kind of hoax! I thought the McGuffins were f\'ing with me.....NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! It's for real. I have been emailing pics and running around like a chicken with it's head cut off! Now I have to go pack my bags cause I may have to leave EARLY in the am. How in the hell did this happen so fast?? Wow! I didn't even get the first call......they called a little old couple that lives across the street!!!!! Our home phone is only a fax so they got a blast in their ears I guess!!! Anyway, they found out my address and called the neighbors and asked them if they would give me the message to call them. See why I thought it was a hoax???!! Wow.
Anyway....if something goes "weird" I will email you tomorrow or pm you on VH. Otherwise....You will see me w/Dr.Phil!!!! Unbelievable!!!!

I hope like hell you can read/understand this!!! I am so excited! OMG! Do I REALLY get to meet Dr. Phil???????? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful Cory!! ♥

That is wonderful news Cory. I hope you are getting rested up. I can't wait to see this interview with Dr Phil. What have you heard about the 20/20 show?

Hey Y' All!!!

I am NOT even close to being rested up!!! LOL! I got 11 hours of sleep last night and it still isn't enough!! Ok..first of all, Dr. Phil is actually a thin man! I was shocked when he came out! Not that I really thought he was "heavy" but I really thought he was "thicker" than what he is!!!! Robin is every bit as beautiful as she is on the show. When I walked by her she shook my hand and said "God bless you". The staff was really great EXCEPT (!) when we got there we were SOOO exhausted and just wanted to go to our room and sleep......NO WAY! It was all about HAVING to do a pre-interview?? We got there at about 9:00 pm and didn't get to our room until 1:30 am and had to get up again at 5:30 to go back. They cut my hair off!!! I had just got it grown back to where I wanted it! I'm not too worried about that though.....the good thing about hair is that it grows back!!!

Our story was on with another story. (I hope I get this right!) It was the story about the Reality Show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Russell ?? And his wife's name is Taylor. Well, it was his sister Lori who did the interview. She thinks he was murdered. Apparently others think it was suicide. Anyway his sister Lori did a very good job. She didn't even seem nervous. So, Leah's story is in with that story. We do not have an air date yet, but my niece Melissa said that one of the producers told her that it could be on next Friday. I was told it could be up to 3 weeks out but could be sooner - so that's all we know about that other than I was told I would definitely get a call before the air date. I haven't heard a word from 20/20 and with everything going on, I seem to have lost their phone number.....GO FIGURE!!

So it's GREAT to be home and I hope like hell I feel rested up by tomorrow!! UGH.....This stuff can take the wind right out of ones sails!!

Oh...as it turns out - my advice from Dr. Phil was that it is time for me to let it go. I told him that that was a hard thing to do because I know there are accomplices to Leah's murder that will never have to pay their dues because of this stupid statute of limitations here in Oregon. He said that there really wasn't much I could do about that now and that I have done all I can do. He reminded me that I fought for all these years and that although it didn't end just how I wanted, at least I have some sort of closure. Ex-chief Mark Dannels was there via telephone......HE WAS AWESOME!! I will always and forever have the utmost respect for that man....Too bad Coquille had to lose him. I truly believe he was a Godsend.

So..................Enough about me! - HOW ARE YOU ALL???

Welcome back Cory. Be sure to post a show date as soon as you know so we can mark our calendars!

BJ wrote:Welcome back Cory. Be sure to post a show date as soon as you know so we can mark our calendars!

Will do! Thank you BJ!

when we got there we were SOOO exhausted and just wanted to go to our room and sleep......NO WAY! It was all about HAVING to do a pre-interview?? We got there at about 9:00 pm and didn't get to our room until 1:30 am and had to get up again at 5:30 to go back. They cut my hair off!!! I had just got it grown back to where I wanted it! I'm not too worried about that though.....the good thing about hair is that it grows back!!!

Geez, that isn't very cool of them to not give you some time to get some rest..especially after what you've been through. Did you fly first-class and did they put you up in a nice hotel? And, they cut your hair!! I think that's kind of cool to have a hair and make up artist do you up!! I bet you look stunning!! Did they color it, too? Sorry for the inane questions but I have always wondered what happens when you are a guest on a talk show. Was this in front of an audience?

I have to agree w/DP. He isn't my fave person but he makes sense a lot of the time even though I think he has an overblown ego..and I've always thought Robin is very pretty. I think she has him under her thumb.

I bet the Ant's got NO sleep!! I hope they badgered the hell out of Cindy!!!

Can't wait to see it!!!! :cheering: :woot:

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Melissa, Lisa Bloom and Cory

You look Great!! Who is Melissa??????

BTW, Lisa is a "friend" on my FB and I sent her a private message and thanked her for being so nice to you.

Your hair looks cute, Cory! I like it!

Well I do have to say that it was a RUSHED thing! Weird... They tried to call my house, but my home phone is used for nothing but a fax, so they did get a blast in their ear!!! I don't know...The must have googled my address or something because it was 8:00 Monday night when my little elderly neighbor lady came over to my house with a piece of paper in her hand...I thought something was wrong maybe with her hubby or something. Kinda scared me! She just handed me a piece of paper with Dr. Phil's phone number on it and said I needed to call them. At first I thought she said MY Doctor had called her!!!! LOL!!! I was like "MY doctor called you??" She says "No Honey! DR. PHIL!" I asked her why they called her and she said she didn't know, that all they told her was that they wanted to do an interview with me and tried to get a hold of me but got the blast in their ear. They asked her to come over here and have me call them. I was on the phone with them until after midnight THAT night. Wow. Starting to see why I am so exhausted??

First class?? um no! lol! But the hotel was VERY nice! Yeah....They really do do all that make up and hair stuff! The sweater they made me wear was about hideous! I had my own clothes but something about color with them....I wore my own pants and shoes but had to wear a pink sweater the first interview (which was wayyyyy to tight!!!!) and a (what I thought was not so pretty!!!) green sweater the second interview which was too big.....That kinda made me feel uncomfortable! As for did they color my hair - no. Thank God I had had it colored about 2 weeks before that! Of course they had to call in the producer to MAKE SURE they didn't have to re-color it as a tad bit of grey had started to come back!!! Whoa....I would have gotten absolutely NO SLEEP had they had to color it!!!!!! LOL!

Wrapitup wrote:You look Great!! Who is Melissa??????

BTW, Lisa is a "friend" on my FB and I sent her a private message and thanked her for being so nice to you.

Melissa is my niece. Aww...Thank you for thanking Lisa for being so nice!!! :cheering:

BJ wrote:Your hair looks cute, Cory! I like it!

Thank you BJ! I guess I was just getting used to it being longer again.

I like it straight!!! You look YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!!

Wrapitup wrote:I like it straight!!! You look YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!!

OK....So, you do realize I am the one on the far right, right??? LOL!!!!!

Well, I know you're not the blonde!!!!

Wrapitup wrote:Well, I know you're not the blonde!!!!

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (wish I was!!!)

I can't stop laughing!!! You are too funny Wrap!!!

Wow, look at our friend...a TV star! I am away for a few days and everything happens. Wow!!!!!

After those execs see how good you look I'll bet the offers will just pour in. You really do look good, put that blonde chic to shame, you and Melissa both.

laga wrote:Wow, look at our friend...a TV star! After those execs see how good you look I'll bet the offers will just pour in. You really do look good, put that blonde chic to shame, you and Melissa both.

LAGA!!! My Friend!!! IDK about that! But ok....Thanks for the compliment! However, if they let anyone know how BITCHY I was about midnight with being so tired, I doubt ANY producer would want to deal w/me!! Wowie! I got pretty angry! I was upset because I didn't give a damn how I looked. It wasn't about me or my looks.....it was about Leah. And I told her just that! But NO! We just HAD to put make-up on me a whack my hair off AT MID FREAKING NIGHT????? Grrr! I was NOT at all happy about that. However......It was for Leah - so I dealt with it ~ sorta!!!

Cory, I agree with everyone....you DO look incredible in that picture! I can't believe you flew out at a moments notice, did a pre-interview, endured a makeover, got 4 hours of sleep, filmed a segment, and are back home already. And I love your candor -- I'd be bitchy, too. Your wardrobe descriptions had me busting out laughing -- I can't wait to see if these sweaters match the imagines I have in my brain lol.

Wow Cory..where do I begin. First of all your hair looks lovely. You are looking good girl. Those ten years and the trial showed. Now you are recooperating. Sometimes you remind me of the Goodyear Bunny!

I admire your stamina and how you keep fighting the good fight.

I think Dr. Phil gave you good advice. But you have to decide when enough is enough. Prayers to you on that one.

Sounds like you were in a whirlwind those couple of days. Wow. A star is born. Glad your niece got to go with you. It must be fun seeing these people Live and upclose. I too thought Dr. Phil a bit thick. I know he and Robin really watch what they eat. They are strict and I think he wrote a book about weight.

Yesterday Dr. Phil had Taylor wife of Russel on the show. I could only watch her for a bit. She had to be carried out of the Memorial service and now she is doing a round of talk shows. Humm I say..hummm.

I have the show taped everyday so I hope I get to see you.

Gosh now I know a celebrity...can I have your autograph?

I agree, Cory... There was a girl in there somewhere, just waiting to get out! You should be very proud of your new look! It's adorable!

Thanks Jeanne, Mayhem and Lilone. I'm not feeling so good today or I would elaborate more. I do appreciate your compliments tho.

Cory, You KNOW I love you and think the world of you. Always have and always will!

Can I just say.. UMMM.. Well I must have been hiding in a hole somewhere for the past MONTH!! I am SOOOO sorry for missing all this BOMBSHELL news! Holy BAJESUS I am still in shell shock over the Dr. Phil show!! CORY, you GO GIRL!! I am SOOO STINKING Excited that I have NOT missed watching it and am setting my DVR as soon as I get home tonight!

I LOVE AND MISS YOU WOMAN!!!!! Can't wait to catch up next time I am down there to visit!!

BTW, I could tell that Melissa was a relative, even before reading that she was your niece!! Good looks seem to run in your family