The courtroom drama surrounding the death of Krystal Mitchell took a significant turn as former Marine Raymond “RJ” McLeod was ordered to stand trial for her murder. This new update comes after a gripping three-day preliminary hearing in San Diego, featuring expert testimonies and a deep dive into the events leading up to Mitchell’s tragic demise in 2016.
The Case Against McLeod: A Web of Violence and Flight
San Diego prosecutors paint a chilling picture of McLeod, alleging a history of violent sexual behavior and predatory intent culminating in Mitchell’s strangulation. They point to McLeod’s swift escape from the country with $10,000 just hours after Mitchell’s death, a six-year flight that ended with his capture in El Salvador in 2022, as a clear indication of guilt. This flight, they argue, speaks volumes about his consciousness of guilt.
Raymond McLeod appears in courtRaymond McLeod in court. His flight after Krystal Mitchell’s death is a key element in the prosecution’s case.
The Defense’s Argument: A Tragic Accident During Consensual Sex
McLeod’s defense team doesn’t deny his involvement in Mitchell’s death but claims it was an unintentional tragedy during rough consensual sex involving erotic asphyxiation. Renowned experts Dr. David Drew Pinsky and Dr. Michael Baden lent their expertise to support this claim, arguing that Mitchell’s death was accidental. The defense argues that the couple’s sexual practices, while extreme, were consensual and that the tragic outcome was unintended.
Witness Testimony: A Night of Drinking, Confrontation, and Uncertainty
Justin Seydell, McLeod’s friend, testified to finding Mitchell’s lifeless body in his guest room on June 10, 2016, after McLeod had already left. The couple had arrived from Arizona the previous day for a weekend visit. Their time together included socializing with Seydell and his girlfriend, followed by a trip to a bar where witnesses reported seeing McLeod grabbing Mitchell by the throat and engaging in a fight with another patron who intervened. This incident adds another layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about McLeod’s behavior leading up to Mitchell’s death.
Surveillance footage captures a disturbing interaction between Mitchell and McLeod in the parking deck hours before her death.
Surveillance footage played in court documented the couple’s return to the apartment in the early morning hours. Mitchell and McLeod entered the parking deck separately. Mitchell was seen sitting on the floor, appearing distressed, before eventually rejoining McLeod in the elevator. Disturbingly, the video shows McLeod grabbing Mitchell’s throat as the elevator doors close. This piece of evidence is central to the prosecution’s argument, portraying McLeod as aggressive and controlling.
The Role of Bondage: A Contested Element in the Case
Both the prosecution and defense attempted to leverage evidence of McLeod’s extreme bondage practices to bolster their respective narratives. Testimony from a woman who had multiple sexual encounters with McLeod, including one the day before Mitchell’s death, described an incident where McLeod choked her until she lost consciousness. Photos of the woman’s naked body, found on McLeod’s phone and shared with others, were presented as evidence. Another encounter involved McLeod using a whip on the woman, leaving bruises. The defense argues that these practices were consensual and part of the couple’s sexual dynamic, while the prosecution points to them as evidence of a pattern of violent behavior.
Detective Luke Johnson testified about accounts from two women, including McLeod’s ex-wife, detailing McLeod’s aggressive behavior. One incident involved McLeod pushing his ex-wife against a car while she held their baby, leading her to file a protective order. While the defense countered that the incident was reported by a third party and not McLeod’s ex-wife, and that she didn’t press charges, the prosecution presented it as further evidence of McLeod’s volatile nature.
The Judge’s Decision: Evidence Points to Intentional Homicide
Judge Kimberlee Lagotta ruled that there was sufficient evidence of intentional homicide to warrant a murder trial for McLeod. The judge cited the severity of Mitchell’s injuries, including a fractured neck in three places and numerous cuts and bruises across her body. While the medical examiner testified that Mitchell’s death was caused by asphyxiation, and that lacerations to her genitals, likened to childbirth injuries, did not contribute to her death, the extent of the injuries played a significant role in the judge’s decision. This ruling marks a crucial juncture in the case, setting the stage for a full trial to determine McLeod’s fate.
The Road Ahead: Awaiting Trial and Justice for Krystal Mitchell
With McLeod ordered to stand trial, the legal proceedings will continue. The next court date is scheduled for November 20 for an arraignment. As the case unfolds, the search for justice for Krystal Mitchell continues, promising a closer examination of the complex circumstances surrounding her death.
