I am the live-in girlfriend of Matthew Leighton and dear friend of Lauren Hall, the brother and mother of Robert Leighton who was brutally killed at the hands of Malia Lowry in Cherryfield a year ago last July.

The tremendous grief we still feel on top of the anger we feel after the horrible trial we were all subjected to that ended very short of justice compels me to speak yet again in Bobby’s defense.

My congratulations to the Ingraham family and to Mr. Benson on the success of Katrina Bridges’ conviction and sentencing. I would also like to extend my personal gratitude to the jurors and the judge for a job well done.

It gives me some relief to know there are some people left in this state who do not have blinders on as did some of the jurors who sat on the Malia Lowry case. Blinded as well was the judge who oversaw her case who felt shooting a naked, unarmed man six times in the back and reloading then leaving him there all day into the evening was not what he considered a “heinous” enough act for at least the upper level of manslaughter. Worthy of the robe? I think not.

I am glad Bridges got almost exactly what she deserved.

I fully share the opinion of the mother of the victim that after these pathetic, selfish killers leave this earth they have to meet their maker.

So, to the Malia Lowrys and Katrina Bridges of the world, enjoy it for now, and remember, what goes around comes around.

Nicole Geel

Steuben