By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Former Toledo elementary school principal Ron Reynolds lost his federal lawsuit against the Lewis County coroner and has filed an appeal.
Reynolds contended Coroner Warren McLeod had no legal basis for conducting an inquest into the 1998 death of his then-wife, Ronda Reynolds.
Ron Reynolds
His lawyer called the 2011 proceedings scandalous, leading to severe harm to his client’s reputation and employability.
The initial claim listed $5 million in damages and the case was filed in Lewis County Superior Court, and then moved to U.S. District Court in late 2013.
U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle granted a summary judgement early last month in favor of McLeod, and Lewis County, which is also named.
At issue was the October 2011 coroner’s inquest convened by McLeod, who made a campaign promise the year before to deal with the long controversial death of former state trooper Ronda Reynolds.
Ronda Reynolds, 33, was found with a bullet in her head and covered by a turned-on electric blanket on the floor of a closet in the Toledo home she shared with her husband of less than a year and his three sons.
Warren McLeod
Reynolds’ and his son Jonathan Reynolds were named by the inquest jury as responsible for the death, which the panel concluded was homicide.
The inquest and the days that followed it were heavily covered by the local and regional news media, as well as providing the framework for a one-hour documentary produced by CBS television’s 48 Hours Mystery.
Jonathan Reynolds was also party to suit with his father, but had dismissed his claim, according to attorney John Justice, who represents McLeod and the county.
Justice said he felt like the summary judgement represented the court’s belief the inquest was fair and impartial, the conclusions of the inquest jury were based on the instructions given and that state law mandated the issuance of arrest warrants after that.
Ronda Reynolds
The two men were arrested and immediately released by a Lewis County Superior Court judge because the prosecutor was not filing criminal charges following the inquest.
“I think it boiled down to the court found Coroner McLeod had the authority to conduct the inquest,” Justice said today.
Ron Reynolds, though his attorney, filed the appeal within the 30 days to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, he said.
McLeod declined to comment on the case, and Ron Reynolds’ attorney has not returned phone calls seeking comment.
Ron Reynolds and his lawyer have until August 10 to file their brief, Justice said, and then he has 30 days to file his response on behalf of the county and the coroner.
•••
For background, read “Lawsuit filed against Lewis County coroner over inquest” from Tuesday December 17, 2013, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I grew up in Toledo. My boyfriend lived across the street from these people when this took place. I was in a car with one of the killers. These people did it. It sits on my conscience that her mother is in so much pain. Please people pray JUSTICE FOR RHONDA.
Dear Barb
I write from Poland. I’ve just read Ann Rule’s book about Your daughter and I’m shocked. Ronda’s history commoved me. I don’t know what happend after 2010. I found this website but my english isn’t good and I don’t understand everything but I see that nobody was arested. You are very brave woman, Barb. I admire you. I’ve got two daughters and I’d do everything for them. Best regards from Poland. Joanna.
I just finished reading “In The Still Of The Night.”
I fought the urge to google the case while I was reading the book.
I guess that I assumed there would be charges and a trial to read about when I finished the last page.
Boy, was I stunned to read that NOTHING has happened to the killer/killers!
What is going on in Lewis County?
#JusticeForRonda
After reading Ms. Rule’s book, it is hard to believe that her husband and stepson know nothing…but Ms. Rule does also enumerate that there are other possible suspects. A law enforcement agency and prosecutor have to have evidence to bring a case to trial and at this point, that evidence is simply not there. I have read a lot of Ms. Rule’s books, but she passed away last year, I think. This was one of her best. Kudos to Ronda’s mother for her perseverence and courage.
I find it incredible that she dies and they are going poor me my life is ruined… we killed her but poor me. … It is obvious to everyone that doesnt have there eyes and ears closed that she was killed and its discgraceful that the american justice dept are told by a jury who to arrest and they basically go nah i think i will just let them live the rest of there lives fine, even thought they took her’s. I hope the father and son die slowly and painfully as they obviously dont care for anyone but themselves..
I hope you two men get right with the Lord. I also hope that guilt of what you have done eats you from the inside out . You will be judged when Almighty Lord sees fit . Flower says , if you don’t have nothing nice to day then OG don’t say nothing at all . Bless you Barb, so sorry that you had to go through this tragic loss . We can take knowledge knowing when we are all walking with Our Saviour that these two monsters won’t be there with us . 🙂
Sociopaths never feel guilt….and Reynolds and his son fit the profile. Evidenced by having his ex wife sleep with him that night….a sociopath would never see the problem with that.
No way he didnt hear the shot….clearly lying—he did it but forgot she was right handed and made a common mistake when staging a suicide. Or his idiot son did. either way they should both be rotting in prison.
Murderers walking around…plain and simple. its not over—and they will wind up in prison…at least one of them.
Hello Barb!! It’s something with the horses hat makes me feel connected to this. (Only horse people know). Spirits live on through them. I am so so sorry you lost your daughter. I can’t imagine the pain but this story connected to me like no other
Barb,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your daughter was so brave and Ron and his son are cowards of the worst kind. My hope is that they will eventually be convicted. You are an amazingly dedicated mother.
Peace & Blessings
Just seen 48hrs you can see they are guilty normally it’s the life insurance people are after I saw the interview with the exhusband he can not remember if his ex wife slept in his bed hours after the death of his wife but he can remember every other thing come on you can fool some people some of the time but not all of the time.
Real og you are an ignorant asshole. Memorials for fallen law enforcement officers are for officers that died while in the line of duty. People care about this beautiful person and they care about the truth. Do the world a favor and keep your comments to yourself.
Just saw this on 48 hrs. and both my husband and myself believe his son Jonathan shot Ronda Reynolds and his father Ron is covering it up by remaining silent. However, I do believe in Karma and God. In time these two will have to answer for this crime. It is very sad that Mr. Ron Reynolds won’t come forward to say what his son did as did it ever enter his mind that his son is thinking he got away with this murder and could do it again to someone else he doesn’t like or was on meth trip in the near future. Can’t believe he was a head of a school and doesn’t he realize he is ruining his life by covering up for his son? Give up the appeal Ron Reynolds as you are only making things worse as you DO KNOW what your son did and tell the truth and set yourself free. I can’t believe you sat at Ronda’s funeral with your ex-wife-that tells me a lot of your character. In time the truth will come out and Ronda can rest in peace. Ron and Jonathan Reynolds you two will never have any peace as God and faith will prevail.
They certainly think they got away with murder, but one day they’ll pay.
The son is very strange and I think he shot her with the help of his father.
I just can’t imagine those two becoming millionaires from this. UGH.
The lawsuit has been dismissed. There is no longer any legal action against Coroner McLeod, and Ronda’s murder(s) still remain free.
Yes nobody cares about a 20 year old cold case. There are many unsolved murders in Lewis county. Funny thing is I do not see her name on any fallen law enforcement memorials. Sounds like her fellow LE had her silenced, this lawsuit Mumbo jumbo is just a diversion.
Who ever made the comment “nobody cares” we do care just not about you
News flash nobody cares.
Jonathan the truth will set you free! Ron is it really worth covering it up?
Barb can’t imagine your pain but belive this you are totally rite in your judgment and GOD help you
Barb, you have amazing courage. I’m sure that Ronda looks down at you, filled with awe and love.
Frankly, I wouldn’t have been able to use the restraint you had during those first agonizing hours and days after Rondas death. I would have grabbed Ron by the neck tand ripped out his so-called heart through his throat.
I hope you, and Ronda, see some justice in this lifetime. If not, I’m sure God will give you both justice in the here-after. We all know that Ron and Katie, and one of their sons, are guilty. I hope there is some kind of comfort in the knowledge that so many people like myself, know this.
May God hold you and keep you.
]
Hello Barb,
I’m not sure if this is your correct email address, I sure hope it is.
We do not know each other, but I’m wanting you to know that I just read Anne Rules book about your lovely daughter, Ronda. The latest date of info was 2010 I believe. As a mother myself, I can only imagine that awful nightmare.
After reading her story, I began remembering hearing about it. In the Summer of ’97 we had moved to Onalaska,Wa. I still didn’t know anyone other than my maternal family. We moved to Arizona in the Summer of ’06. I miss Washington.
Anyhow, none of this really matters. I’m just wanting to extend my heart to yours and let you know that while I never met Ronda, I’ll never forget her. I believe I’m close to her age (53) and we both have birthdays in September.
Please don’t think/feel uncomfortable about my email, I’m sincere in writing this.
I want you to know in your heart that you have a friend in me.
You’ll forever be in my heart and prayers.
Best Regards,
Teresa
Ronda was to pretty for him anyway..I hope they rot in hell. God does not sleep he sees all and knows all.they need to be off the streets and locked up for the rest of there life. And the daddy with his old antique ass has remarried for the fourth time and his son haven’t seem to have done anything useful with his life. And blame his drug use on ronda’s death when he was a drug user all along..it’s time for them to go down
There guilty But God does not sleep
I still believe that Ron Reynolds is guilty as sin and either he did it or he is protecting his kid. The way he treated the Rhonda’s Mother was inhumane at best and criminal to my way of thinking. Also someone beat that dog to death. I also would like to know what the ex was doing there in her nightgown the morning after in a house filled with the fumes of bleach permeating everything. You would have to be an idiot to think he is innocent. He deserves nothing and I hope he rots in hell.
I applaud Barb and the team that has been rallying for justice. Had the correct procedures been taken so many years ago and people not looking out for themselves, this mystery may have been solved many years ago. I can only hope that this case will inspire law enforcement to be vigilant when solving a crime if they are the type to take a backseat. To the others in law enforcement and to ordinary people that follow their gut, even at a cost…keep it up. Hopefully, justice will prevail. Well done again.
It saddens me that Ronda stood for justice but her justice was hampered. I can only hope that the flaws can serve to show others what to avoid in the future. I just read the book by Ann Rule. Thank you for the book and talking about mystery that surrounds Rhonda. It is making more people aware of the goings on. The wheel turns and I hope Ron, Katie and whomever else involved with her death, gets what they deserve…They had something to do with her death. Even if some of them were only there, they still knew the secret and did nothing. It makes them just as guilty. Holding thumbs from South Africa.
One thing we know for sure is that Ron and Katie undoubtedly hold the secret to what actually happened. They were admittedly there at the crime scene. Whether Jonathan was involved or just Katie and Ron, they know what happened and should be brought to justice. Barb you are truly inspiring. I hope you find justice for Rhonda.
Is Ron and his son ever going to trial?
just saw the 48 hours mystery story on this 1,hard to make a judgement,just hope it can be solved,i would also favor that the son was responsible,which means the husband is no more than an accessory,if this is the case there just seems no way of it being solved,incompetent morons first on the scene & later throwing away things from the case,what can you do?just hope something comes up,some person in the accused’s inner circle breaking ranks or something,but i feel if this father & son are killer & accessory they are probably the only 2 that know it,if guilty theyve done everything else very well & i cant fault the husbands answers to pretty much any of the questions from that show,maybe aside from not being sure if his ex wife slept in his bed on the night of the murder,he seemed all over the place on that 1,but that tends to show more that he is a heartless not caring bastard than a killer
To Barb, her mom –
I just read Ann Rule’s book on Ronda’s story yesterday. My heart goes out to you and I have such admiration for you for fighting so hard for Ronda’s justice. There will be justice for her-because of you and the group of people who believed in you and in Ronda. Be sure that her hand is in your shoulders every minute of every day. My prayers are with you and with everyone who loved her.
Paula
Thank you Sharyn for not forgetting this case and for taking the time to listen to Ronda’s story so many years ago in 1999 – 2000.
I will be following and waiting for results of the appeal. Our judicial system is not perfect but it is pretty darn good and the only way we can make it better is stand up when we see injustice and be heard. Take time to learn about your elected officials and what they stand for and VOTE. Every individual can make a difference. For me, for Ronda’s family, we are okay. I smile now when I think of Ronda instead of cry and our lives are good. I have a strong belief that Justice comes in many different ways. I can wait.
Agreed, Bo. McLeod is a quantum leap in quality over his predecessor and impresses me as a stand-up guy. I don’t know whether Reynolds’ rights were violated because I think coroners work under a different set of rules than prosecutors. We’ll find out.
I have a lot of respect for Warren McLeod. I think he is one of the best people we can have holding that seat. However, with at being said, If Mr. McLeod did do things throughout this investigation that were unjust and u fair to Mr. Reynolds, then Mr. Reynolds should be rewarded. I personally do not think that Mr. Reynolds did this but that is just my opinion. Hopefully, if there was a wrong done in this case it will be made right.
And we all knew that the Riffe boys were the ones who did it!
The Maurin double homicide proves that. Mr. Riffe was convicted 30+ years after the crime.
There WILL be justice someday, sunshinegirl. Our justice system has flaws, but nobody outlives it. That’s when things get interesting because real justice will be at hand and none of us escapes that.
Tired of the uneducated teachers: Try educating yourself first. A few examples from your comment – every way possible…he is too stupid…pushes it too far. Maybe you should learn how to write before criticizing others.
I agree , he should run quietly and as far as he can because someday they will get him and his nasty kids. There is no double jeopardy goin on here. So somewhere down the line someone will go after this pitiful case and it might take awhile , sometimes it does but justice will prevail . So my guess he is just not very bright or he is a sociopath who thinks he is smarter then he is. You can fool a lot of people but the facts are the facts and a interesting case draws flies . This one has stunk bad from day one.
If the 9th circuit does not award his appeal the next step is the Supreme Court. Will he go there? They need to demonstrate a violation of the constitution not just being unhappy withe inquest findings.
As for the coroner having the authority jest look at the RCW on inquests…pretty clear.
will this “educated man” ( sarcastic) give it up…. He has tried everyway possible to get away with murder and he is to stupid to just let well enough alone. I hope he pushes it to far soon.
I will try to be nice-but I hope they rot in hell for what they did to her