In an appearance that was over almost as soon as it began Tuesday morning, Christopher Lee’s next court appearance was continued until July 27. In April, Lee’s lawyer had filed a peremptory challenge against Judge Rodney Cortez, asking that the case be heard by Judge Bert Swift. Lee’s case was temporarily suspended by Cortez in May, pending the Appeals Court decision. The Appeals Court has not yet announced its decision, and Cortez had no choice but to continue the case until July 27. Lee is accused of killing his former neighbor and lover, Erin Corwin, 19, one year ago, June 28, 2014, and then dumping her body down a mine shaft east of Twentynine Palms.
