Christopher Lee, who is accused of murdering 19-year-old Erin Corwin of Twentynine Palms and dumping her body down a 140-foot mine shaft in June, was in Joshua Tree Superior Court Tuesday afternoon. His lawyer pleaded “Not Guilty” to her murder, and denied the special allegations of “lying in wait.” The District Attorney’s office has not yet determined if they will seek life without parole or the death penalty in the case. Managing editor Tami Roleff was in the courtroom at the arraignment, and talked with Lee’s attorney afterward…
Christopher Lee’s arrest for murdering Erin Corwin was a surprise to both himself and his lawyer, Lee’s attorney said after Tuesday’s arraignment in which Lee pleaded “not guilty.” “Based on the more recent silence from the Sheriff’s Department, we weren’t sure where this was going. I mean, we knew he was a suspect. The DA’s office and Sheriff’s Department made that very clear. But we did not anticipate the arrest.” David Kaloyanides anticipates that the discovery period and evaluation of the evidence will take a long time. He’s still waiting to receive and evaluate the evidence against Lee. “I’m not sure what evidence would support the claim that Mr. Lee’s done anything other than him knowing the victim.” Kaloyanides had some thoughts about Lee’s original arrest in July for possession of a potato gun. “I’ll put it this way. I don’t know of anyone who’s ever been and actually been arrested and held on a charge of possessing a potato gun.” Christopher Lee is being held without bail and his next appearance in court will be a preliminary hearing September 16.
