Ex-Marine ordered to trial in killing of pregnant mistress whose body found in mine shaft

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. – A former Marine has been ordered to trial in the killing of the pregnant wife of another Marine.

A judge ruled Thursday that 25-year-old Christopher Brandon Lee must stand trial for first-degree murder in the killing last year of 19-year-old Erin Corwin. He has previously pleaded not guilty and will be arraigned again later this month.

The judge's order came after 11 prosecution witnesses testified. None were called for the defense.

Prosecutors say that Corwin and the married Lee were lovers. Her husband and Lee were both stationed at the Twentynine Palms Marine base.

Lee was arrested in Alaska in August after Corwin's body was found down a 100-foot mineshaft near Joshua Tree in the Mojave Desert.

Prosecutors say Lee was worried his wife would discover the affair.