近距离内射合集

TAOS 鈥� Families of both the victim and the defendant spoke at an emotional plea conference Friday morning in 8th Judicial District Court for David Degroat, one of two men charged in the grisly slaying and dismemberment of Matthew McLaughlin last summer in Tres Piedras.

Degroat, 22, accepted a 44-year prison sentence followed by two years of parole in exchange for pleading guilty to second-degree murder and five other counts in connection to the 25-year-old veteran鈥檚 death.

The deal spares the Wisconsin-born defendant a potential life sentence had he been convicted of an original first-degree murder charge at trial 鈥� a prospect his co-defendant, Rainor Joiner, still faces if the District Attorney鈥檚 Office convenes a jury in that case in December.

Degroat also pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit a violent felony, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and three counts of tampering with evidence.

McLaughlin had moved from Virginia with his dog last year to begin a new chapter in Tres Piedras with Degroat and Joiner, with whom he had served in the same Army unit at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.

While McLaughlin was honorably discharged from service, evidence emerged to indicate Degroat and Joiner were deserters with active warrants from the military.

Several of McLaughlin鈥檚 family members addressed the court Friday, giving extensive statements about the impact the crime has had on their lives.

In her statements, Rebecca McLaughlin, the victim鈥檚 mother, characterized her son鈥檚 murder as the ultimate betrayal by two men he had taken under his wing, seeing them as 鈥渦nderdogs.鈥�

鈥淚'm standing here because my 25-year-old son was brutally murdered by two people he trusted,鈥� Rebecca McLaughlin said. 鈥淢atthew's not just a name in a case file; he's my son.鈥�

Her voice breaking, McLaughlin eventually turned toward Degroat and forgave him.

鈥淎nd you know Matt would have forgiven you, right?鈥� she asked.

鈥淵es,鈥� Degroat replied quietly.

He and Joiner both made statements to the Taos County Sheriff鈥檚 Office describing their role in McLaughlin鈥檚 murder, which took place in July 2025, sometime before the Virginia man was reported missing on July 31.

According to court records, Joiner admitted to firing the shots that killed McLaughlin, who had spent time living with the two men in a crude cabin near the edges of the Carson National Forest west of Taos.

Joiner eventually developed a grudge against McLaughlin, according to a detailed interview he provided to deputies following his arrest.

A statement of probable cause alleges Joiner told Degroat to help McLaughlin bring groceries up a dirt road to the property, where Joiner ambushed him.

When McLaughlin drew within range, Joiner allegedly shot McLaughlin once in the chest with a .308-caliber rifle. He then said he used Degroat鈥檚 9mm handgun to fire two more shots into McLaughlin鈥檚 head and jaw, killing him.

Degroat pleaded guilty to burning some of McLaughlin鈥檚 possessions, including his cellphone. Meanwhile, Joiner admitted in detail how he dismembered the victim鈥檚 body, which was later found in plastic bags distributed along U.S. 64.

The defendant鈥檚 mother, stepmother and stepsister also addressed the court, complicating a picture of a young man they said had suffered from a broken home and childhood trauma.

鈥淚 am so sorry for the events that have led us here today,鈥� said Gretchen Kirchgestner, Degroat鈥檚 stepmother. 鈥淭o Matthew's loved ones, I can't imagine what you have gone through, and I'm truly sorry for your loss.

鈥淚 would like to credit Matthew's mother, Rebecca, for following her maternal instincts and applying pressure to law enforcement to get the answers about her son,鈥� she added.

Finally, Degroat addressed the court himself, saying repeatedly that he is 鈥渉aunted鈥� by his actions.

鈥淭here are no words to describe how sorry I am,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his apology may not mean anything to some of you, but I just want you to know I am sorry. And I am very regretful of every day that this has happened.鈥�

The McLaughlins initially fought the deal, arguing that Degroat should stand trial, but ultimately accepted it as a means to guaranteed incarceration time for the 22-year-old.

鈥淚t's not lost on this court that this resolution or any resolution may feel inadequate given the pain he felt,鈥� Judge Steven Romero said before issuing the sentence. 鈥淚 also understand why the state would seek this resolution, balancing accountability, finality.鈥�

John Miller is the Journal鈥檚 northern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at jmiller@abqjournal.com.