No ‘Cold Justice’ for 33-year-old Joyce McLain homicide case

By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff


EAST MILLINOCKET, Maine — Maine State Deputy Attorney General William Stokes doesn’t want to share a 33-year-old murder investigation with the reality TV show “Cold Justice,” and the victim’s mother is displeased.

Interviewed late Friday afternoon, Stokes said allowing the show’s real-life investigators to examine the voluminous state police investigation would probably violate state law regarding case confidentiality and perhaps ruin any chances of catching Joyce McLain’s killer.

Stokes said that allowing the investigators to review the case would set a bad precedent. It could break state laws that keep Maine law investigation data confidential, Stokes said.

It could also compromise a common but crucial investigative technique, Stokes added. Police typically withhold publicizing key elements of a crime to ensure that they are dealing with honest witnesses.

“I don’t see how you distribute this case, or any other open case, to a TV show,” Stokes said. “It just does not make any sense.”

His decision dismayed Patrick Day, a Rockland resident and East Millinocket native volunteering to help McLain’s mother, Pamela, in her quest to get justice for her daughter.

A TNT network show that employs former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and crime scene investigator Yolanda McClary to solve old unsolved crimes, “Cold Justice” could have helped state police while drawing national attention to the unsolved homicide, Day said.

“They are experts. They have 40 years of expertise in cold case investigation,” Day said Saturday. “Just because they are TV personalities does not mean that they have lost their expertise or will compromise any evidence.”

McLain declined to comment on the matter Saturday but said she might be available Sunday.

“Pam is devastated,” Day said. “In my opinion, we have lost a perfect opportunity to have a team of experts review the case and not cost anything.”


MORE: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/10/27/news/penobscot/no-cold-justice-for-33-year-old-joyce-mclain-homicide-case/

Isn't there a way to do the show without infringing on state law? Between a state deputy attorney general and a former prosecutor, couldn't some creative solution be employed to continue with the episode?

I'll probably sound nasty saying this, but it doesn't really seem as though the State of Maine has demonstrated great progress in Joyce's case, anyway. I truly hope the reason to not collaborate truly is exactly what Mr. Stokes says it is and not some sort of circling-the-wagons stupidity.

Sorry to be so blunt, but this all sounds like a fancy way of saying "we can't divulge information about an open investigation" which I've begun to realize is often a stalling tactic used to wait out the clock until everyone who has an interest in seeing justice served, especially the loved ones of the victim, has died.

Considering that Joyce's mother had to fight for nearly 30 years to get a second autopsy done (to see if DNA could be found), I can't say I'm surprised with Maine's lack of progress. This is ridiculous, honestly one of the most ludicrous things I have ever heard of regarding a homicide investigation. How could they FIGHT an exhumation that would more than likely lead to evidence, the only evidence likely to help solve this cold case? What better way to find the killer than to see if you can get his DNA?

I'm not bashing every detective involved with this case because I'm certain some tried, but this recent fighting of her case being profiled without even making an attempt to help the case get exposure cries laziness and apathy to me. I'd like to see some legitimate effort than red tape and excuses. Even an ounce of effort to see if they can profile her case without violating state law. I'd like to know how much of an ''open investigation'' this really is.

Yeah, I think it's all pretty weird. I hope one of our attorneys can chime in. I'm not seeing any reason why this show can't feature Joyce's case without violating case confidentiality.

Isn't there a way to do the show without infringing on state law? Between a state deputy attorney general and a former prosecutor, couldn't some creative solution be employed to continue with the episode?

I'll probably sound nasty saying this, but it doesn't really seem as though the State of Maine has demonstrated great progress in Joyce's case, anyway. I truly hope the reason to not collaborate truly is exactly what Mr. Stokes says it is and not some sort of circling-the-wagons stupidity.

From the outside looking in , it does seem like there hasnt been anything noteworthy in this case since news of exhumation a while back ....

There are a few questions about this case like : Do they have DNA of the killer ? Were there any witnesses who may have seen the killer ?

I also suspect the DA wants to keep their cards close to their chest and having this case on TV could lead to info coming that they didnt want to come out....

Sorry to be so blunt, but this all sounds like a fancy way of saying "we can't divulge information about an open investigation" which I've begun to realize is often a stalling tactic used to wait out the clock until everyone who has an interest in seeing justice served, especially the loved ones of the victim, has died.

I think they hit a dead end in this case years ago , unfortunately this case is quite difficult for several reasons and if they air their dirty laundry in public the Maine state police and prosecutors office might not come out looking good ...

From the outside looking in , it does seem like there hasnt been anything noteworthy in this case since news of exhumation a while back ....

There are a few questions about this case like : Do they have DNA of the killer ? Were there any witnesses who may have seen the killer ?

I also suspect the DA wants to keep their cards close to their chest and having this case on TV could lead to info coming that they didnt want to come out....

The autopsy was done at the very end of 2008. And the only information that was published about it was that Joyce's body was still 90% preserved and new evidence had been collected because of that lucky break. But what exactly that evidence was was never released.

The autopsy was done at the very end of 2008. And the only information that was published about it was that Joyce's body was still 90% preserved and new evidence had been collected because of that lucky break. But what exactly that evidence was was never released.

Thats the thing , if any new evidence had advanced this case gtreatly then they wouldnt have considered having it profiled , the fact that they considered having profiled , to me , indicates they had hit a brick wall somewere .....

Another serious possibility is that whoever attacked Joyce probably was someone who wasnt local ....

Thats the thing , if any new evidence had advanced this case gtreatly then they wouldnt have considered having it profiled , the fact that they considered having profiled , to me , indicates they had hit a brick wall somewere .....

Another serious possibility is that whoever attacked Joyce probably was someone who wasnt local ....

I hate to sound like a broken record, but if that's the case, I would like to know what "case confidentiality" rules apply. I'm not an attorney and I certainly don't know Maine state law.

Over the years I've come to believe Joyce's killer wasn't local, too--although People ran an article about her three years ago or so that mentioned strange vandalism at the memorial cross on the power line pole where she was found and I believe even her headstone. Not sure what that's about.

Over the years I've come to believe Joyce's killer wasn't local, too--although People ran an article about her three years ago or so that mentioned strange vandalism at the memorial cross on the power line pole where she was found and I believe even her headstone. Not sure what that's about.

Indeed. If it was just one location, I wouldn't have thought much of it other than some guy being a pr*ck. But both the cross behind the high school AND her headstone a few miles away in the cemetery being vandalized? Not a coincidence.

Indeed. If it was just one location, I wouldn't have thought much of it other than some guy being a pr*ck. But both the cross behind the high school AND her headstone a few miles away in the cemetery being vandalized? Not a coincidence.

This is interesting information, so whoever did this vandalism I presume either did not like Joyce or had had an ax to grind so to speak .....
this does make me wonder what the killers motive was. Did Joyce jog regularly around the time she disappeared?

Now 35 years and no conclusive answers, very sad. :(

I'm not as well-versed about things having to do with confidentiality laws as some of you may be, but I seriously do not understand why there should be any law whatsoever against trying to see an end to the case. I would think that sweeping it under the rug would be the last thing that a decent, honest member of law enforcement would want to do, so it makes me wonder if perhaps the sheriff knows something about this case that would cause huge public embarrassment for himself and/or people of prominence in that town.

the maine state police are some of the worst


awful news.

Translation:

"We screwed up massively, and didn't investigate something pertaining to this case that we should have, and we don't want you seeing that."

Maybe they are worried about those two glory hounds doing basic investigation techniques for cops who seem to dumb to even do the basics, coming in & messing up any chance of a conviction?

It is an entertaining show but it amazes me the way they behave-calling in Johnny Bonds or whoever-getting the suspect/suspects down the station, having them sat behind a desk backed up against the wall like a trapped animal while being shouted at to frighten them into confessing, not wanting lawyers present-on the rare occasion anybody refuses to go with them or lawyers up they all cry the blues.

Incredible that any of these suspects allow themselves to be railroaded like this & don't seem to understand the concept of legal representation & proper interview room set-up & that if the case does make it to court they don't get thrown out based on hostile tactics. I thought the days of taking people with low IQ'S & getting them to confess were long gone, now it is a television show where they are gettin' tha bad guys & hagh fivin' y'alllll.

Now 35 years and no conclusive answers, very sad. :(

We're about 4 weeks away from the 35th anniversary of her murder.

It's not only sad but incredibly frustrating that it took her mother 28 years of fighting just to get the body exhumed. That still blows my mind.

We're about 4 weeks away from the 35th anniversary of her murder.

It's not only sad but incredibly frustrating that it took her mother 28 years of fighting just to get the body exhumed. That still blows my mind.
Yes, that is just ridiculous. It's almost as though the authorities don't want this case solved :( It's also utterly ridiculous that they won't let it be profiled. It's been almost 35 years. Seriously, the case is so cold I would be desperate to uncover anything if I was one of the investigators. Why not profile it, get more attention, and hopefully reel in some tips?

Does anyone else feel sickened that her grave has been vandalized so many times? One is bad enough, but multiple times? And especially the graphic descriptions of the vandalism makes me feel ill. Who could be so cruel? I really have to wonder if it is the killer because of the other memorial also being vandalized.

Watching this segment is really sad. Stack mentions how it's been "8 years" since the murder. Hard to believe it's been almost thirty years since the segment was filmed and they still haven't solved it.

I'm not as well-versed about things having to do with confidentiality laws as some of you may be, but I seriously do not understand why there should be any law whatsoever against trying to see an end to the case. I would think that sweeping it under the rug would be the last thing that a decent, honest member of law enforcement would want to do, so it makes me wonder if perhaps the sheriff knows something about this case that would cause huge public embarrassment for himself and/or people of prominence in that town.

Observing confidentiality rules and "sweeping" the case "under the rug" are not the same thing, c'mon.

Man, I can't tell you why a police agency wouldn't want to get some information about this cold case out as a way of potentially getting new leads, etc.

I can only think of three reasons why they would be opposed to doing a national TV show on it: 1) The autopsy uncovered new evidence that only the killer would know, therefore they don't want to reveal the "trump card," so to speak; 2) They already know who did it and don't think they need the additional exposure; or 3) They botched the investigation so badly that they don't want to be raked over the coals on a national level.

I'm not going to speculate on which of the three it is. I will say-- bungled investigation or not, I (as a prosecutor and as a citizen) would rather see police forces acknowledging mistakes that were made in an attempt to get the case more publicity so it could potentially be cracked. Someone out there has to know SOMETHING about what happened to Joyce...