Isabel Megli was in San Bernardino County Superior Court on Wednesday to deal with a livestock citation when she noticed a shackled Christopher Lee sitting just a few feet away in the jury box.
It was the first time the Yucca Valley woman saw her former tenant since he was arrested two months ago on suspicion of killing Erin Corwin, whose disappearance sparked a massive search that ended when her body was found in a mine shaft.
"This was very difficult for me to see him," said Megli, who rented a home to Lee and his wife, Nichole. "When you see someone like that in court, you reflect on good times. It's a conflict."
She wanted to hug Lee as she sat in the Joshua Tree courtroom, but she couldn't even say hello since it's against court rules for audience members to communicate with defendants in custody.
Megli, who owns White Rock Horse Rescue Ranch, was cited on July 7 for letting five horses run loose. She said they escaped through a broken fence and she's fighting the citation.
Her hearing lasted a minute and she exited the room shortly before Lee's hearing, which also was brief.
He was in court for a formal appearance that precedes a preliminary hearing. However, it was rescheduled to Dec. 2 so the defense could review evidence.
Lee's attorney, David Kaloyanides, said he received "several discs and documents" this week. He added Lee was doing well and understood the court process may last awhile.
"Rushing to court is never a good idea, and it's rarely possible in a complex case," Kaloyanides said after the hearing.
Lee, a former Marine, was extradited from Alaska in August and pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder.
He is suspected of killing Corwin, 19, who disappeared on June 28 and was reported missing by her husband, Jonathan Corwin, who was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms.
Following an extensive search, investigators found Erin Corwin on Aug. 16 in a mine outside Joshua Tree National Park in an area known as the Rose of Peru Mining District. Lee was arrested in Anchorage the next day.
Erin Corwin, who was from Tennessee, volunteered at the horse ranch with Lee. Investigators suspect they were having an affair and Lee was afraid his wife might discover their relationship.
In addition to murder, Lee has been charged with a special circumstance of "lying in wait." This allegation, which argues that Lee planned Erin's death and then lured her into a trap, makes Lee eligible for the death penalty.
His arrest warrant said he searched online for advice on how to dispose of a body and investigators found tire tracks and ammunition that link Lee to Erin Corwin.
Megli said she's "heartbroken" over Erin Corwin's death, and that her horse, Cassy, is still at the ranch.
"Every time we look at her, we think of (Corwin)," Megli said. "These are memories you don't just forget."
She occasionally talks to Lee's wife, Nichole, who is in Alaska. However, they don't discuss the case.
"She's holding up," Megli said. "She doesn't communicate (about) anything but herself."
