Today, marked a distinct change in how the defense questioned prosecution witnesses as the testimony began to getter closer to the crux of Nicholas McGuffin’s guilt or innocence. A parade of witnesses today included former Coquille police chief, Mike Reaves, and former CPD officers Dave Hall and Randy Ulmer.
Read MoreResidents of Coquille who have been subjected to the unprofessional behavior of the former police chief, Mike Reaves, will appreciate some of the testimony today from Denise Bertrand, Leah’s older sister. Bertrand reported that the families attempt to report Leah as missing went “horribly” with Reaves dismissing the disappearance as a runaway and essentially not bothering to look for Leah until after the discovery of a bloody shoe days later.
Read MoreWhether the district attorney can prove McGuffin guilty beyond a reasonable doubt or not, this trial is a triumph of a mother’s will to see justice for her daughter. For the citizens who rose up to bring badly needed changes it is proof that working together, even against the inertia of an aging and disdainful city council and an unfeeling city manager, can make a difference.
Read MoreThe muder trial of Nick McGuffin charged with the 2000 slaying of fifteen year old Leah Freeman is scheduled to start next month and discussions are underway to determine whether to change venue from Coos County. A venue change would delay the start of the trial.
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The Freeman family and the McGuffin family took up residence outside the courtroom in separate sections of the hallway in advance of the 1PM arraignment.
Long suspected in the murder of Leah Freeman, Coquille PD Sgt Pat Smith and Officer Ray McNeely arrested Nicholas McGuffin today at his home in Green Acres.
Coquille Police have submitted a case for prosecution in the murder of Leah Freeman. Chief Mark Dannels refused to release any names yet but said the district attorney is presenting their case to the grand jury to decide if a...
Read MoreThe World newspaper has published the second of two articles addressing wild accusations from Commissioner Kevin Stufflebean regarding corruption in the Sheriff’s office and the road department when it was headed by Larry...
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Great news for the family of murdered teenager, Leah Freeman, was released during a press conference at the Coquille City Hall today. After a fifteen month effort on the part of new Coquille Police Chief Mark Dannels, a joint agency task force comprised of CPD, Coos County Sheriff, Coos Bay PD and Oregon State Police is reopening the unsolved murder case. The family has been asking for outside assistance into the cold case even before it was cold but the previous chief, Mike Reaves, stood in the way.
Paul Frasier, Coos County District Attorney brought formal charges against former Coquille PD officer, James Bryant and his wife Tammy, also a former employee of CPD. Unconfirmed rumor has it the Bryants packed up and moved to...
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The Sentinel met with DA Paul Frasier today and discussed, amongst other things, the possible sentence James Bryant might receive if he is convicted of the charges he was arrested for recently.
