May 05, 2010
FORMER MARINE PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER IN 1987 DEATH
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - April 28, 2010 United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that today Melvin Lutrell McGee pled guilty before United States District Court Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz to the charge of voluntary manslaughter in the 1987 death of Lance Corporal Christopher Gaines. The death took place on United States Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, which is within the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
According to the plea agreement, McGee admitted that on November 23, 1987, during a sudden quarrel and in the heat of passion, he stabbed Lance Corporal Gaines in the chest. On that date, Lance Corporal Gaines was sitting in the back seat of a vehicle when McGee approached the driver and engaged in a verbal altercation. During the argument with the driver, McGee pulled out a knife. When Lance Corporal Gaines attempted to exit the vehicle, McGee stabbed him in the chest. Lance Corporal Gaines died as a result of the single stab wound on November 24, 1987.
United States Attorney Hewitt noted that this case was a cold case homicide that was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with assistance from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Regional Crime Lab.
The defendant is scheduled to appear before Judge Moskowitz on June 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. for sentencing.
DEFENDANT Case Number: 09CR2792-BTM
Melvin Lutrell McGee
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, United States Code, Sections 7 and 1112 - Voluntary Manslaughter Maximum Penalty: 10 years’ imprisonment
AGENCY
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Contact Info
- FAY ARFA, A Law Corporation
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Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90067
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Phone: 310-841-6805
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