The Place Where Ludington Talks

Cory Beekman

Is it true that all charges were dropped this morning against Cory? What justice is there in his being kept in custody for all this time? This was self defense and charges should have been dismissed immediately.

How about the money that was stolen from his accounts? How about the time stolen from him sitting in confinement?

The prosecutor should be ashamed.

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Permalink Reply by XLFD on September 22, 2020 at 3:16pm

Victor, welcome to the Ludington Torch, I missed your post before putting out an update on our old link to the trial that was never held earlier this summer. For sake of convenience here it is:

Today the Beekman murder case has been dismissed. Justice prevails. Beekman has sat in jail for way too long already due to prosecutorial dysfunction and public misinformation. Special thanks to the Beekman family, who have stood firmly behind Corey when officials wanted to prosecute him with physical evidence pointing towards innocence all along.

“This morning, Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola announced that charges against Corey Ryan Beekman of Free Soil are being dismissed without prejudice,” states a press release issued by Spaniola’s office Tuesday. “Beekman had been charged with second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and felony firearm for the shooting death of William Craig Buchanan of Mears and the wounding of Kaitlin Michelle Buck on April 16, 2019. A nine-day jury trial was scheduled to commence in Mason County Circuit Court on Sept. 22. The trial had been delayed on several occasions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Spaniola explained that the dismissal of the charges at this time is due to the unavailability of witnesses. Without this important testimony, justice would not be able to be served. Mr. Beekman is considered innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

“A dismissal without prejudice means that charges may be refiled at a later date. The statute of limitations on a homicide never expires and the case may be brought forward at a future date. Said Spaniola: ‘I am optimistic that one day this case may be able to be heard so that Billy Buchanan and his family can receive the justice they deserve.'”

Beekman, who has been lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $750,000 bond since the time of the shooting, has been released.