Lewis County Sirens.com

James R. Johnson appears before a Lewis County Superior Court judge for a bail hearing.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A judge ordered bail set at $100,000 for a retired logger accused of a starting a fire at the house where his ex-wife and best friend were sleeping.

James R. Johnson, 65, was arrested near his rural Chehalis home this week for the June 1 blaze that heavily damaged the home on the 900 block of B Street in Centralia.

Police were suspicious of Johnson from beginning, according to charging documents.

Clint Brown said he awoke to the smoke alarm and when he opened his back door, he saw flames and smelled a very strong odor of gasoline. He closed the door, woke up Tamara Johnson who’d just recently moved in with him, and they got out uninjured.

Police were told James Johnson had been at the home just three days earlier, kicking on the door, making threats and demanding to speak with his ex-wife.

Officers visited his home and while he claimed he had not gone anywhere all night, the engine on a Chevrolet Aveo there was still warm, charging documents state.

He told the officer he and Tamara Johnson had been divorced since the 1990s, but retained and on-again off-again relationship that had ended a week before, according to the documents.

Police were told by his daughter he was upset about his ex-wife dating his friend, and he had been threatening to hurt himself.

A flashlight found at the scene was finger printed and tested, and late last month, Centralia Police Department detectives were notified it carried a DNA profile that matched James Johnson’s, according to the documents.

Johnson was charged yesterday with one count of first-degree arson.

He was brought before a judge yesterday afternoon, outfitted in red jail garb, handcuffed and shackled at his wrists and ankles.

Preliminary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke requested just $20,000 bail, noting the defendant owned Jim Johnson Logging for 25 years, has 12 grandchildren and his felony history is a quarter century old.

“He has very strong ties to the community, he’s known about the allegations since June,” O’Rourke told the judge in an attempt to show how unlikely a flight risk he would be.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Mark McClain noted Johnson had previous federal convictions for passport fraud and conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey sided with McClain out of concern for public safety.

As the bail hearing moved to the question of any orders of no contact orders, O’Rourke told the judge her temporary client and his ex-wife, whom he’s known for 38 years, are together again.

“Since this allegation, he has reconciled with the alleged victim,” O’Rourke told the judge. “They’re living together.”

Judge Brosey said he didn’t care, and issued a no contact order between the two.

James Johnson has retained defense attorney Shane O’Rourke.

His arraignment is scheduled for next Thursday.
•••

For background, read “Breaking news: Ex-husband jailed for arson, in Centralia house fire” from Wednesday December 3, 2014, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Vader couple charged in the October death of a toddler they were caring for didn’t get arraigned today as expected but did appear before a judge briefly this afternoon.

Danny A. Wing, 26, and Brenda A. Wing, 27, were arrested early last month and remain in Lewis County Jail on bails set at $500,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Brenda A. Wing

It appears unsettled who will be their lawyers.

The couple were represented at their Nov. 10 bail hearing by two lawyers retained in anticipation of possible charges after three-year-old Jasper Henderling-Warner died from what the coroner called chronic battered child syndrome.

The attorneys had asked to delay the hearing where they would make their pleas until today – to see if arrangements could be made about legal representation on the criminal charges – , but this afternoon, those proceedings were postponed again.

Brenda Wing told the judge she will be represented by Seattle-based attorney John Crowley, but it was taking a bit of time for her parents to work out the money to retain him.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey agreed to wait one week.

Danny A. Wing

Danny Wing was joined this afternoon by Vancouver-based lawyer Todd Pascoe.

Pascoe asked the judge to set over his client’s arraignment one week, in part because the wife’s was rescheduled and also because of a rules of professional conduct issue.

When Danny Wing blurted out his lawyer was set up by his wife’s family, Pascoe asked him to stay quiet.

Judge Brosey queried Danny Wing, to ensure he was satisfied with waiting until next Thursday afternoon. He said he was.

The Wings are each charged as either the principal or accomplice with homicide by abuse or, in the alternative, first-degree manslaughter.

The coroner concluded from healing fractures, numerous bruises and an autopsy Jasper died from ongoing physical abuse.
•••

For background, read “Defendants in Vader toddler death case want out of jail until trial” from Monday November 10, 2014, here

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – It’s too early to tell what ignited a fire that claimed two businesses at Marys Corner south of Chehalis on Tuesday night, according to Fire Investigator Jay Birley.

Birley responded that night, took photos and looked through the scene, but planned to return today, he said.

Tuesday Dec. 2, 2014

Crews from five fire departments battled the blaze on U.S. Highway 12 at Jackson Highway, a fire that caused heavy damage to the building.

Liz Hill, owner of Mary’s Corner Deli, said she had just closed up shortly after 7 p.m., and went back inside while her car warmed up.

“There was this pop,” Hill said. “I thought somebody was in the back room, and I went back there and saw the wall was on fire.”

Hill said she filled a bucket with water, but quickly realized she needed to get out, and call 911.

“The deli’s completely gone, I lost everything,” she said yesterday. “I’m still in shock, I still can’t believe it happened.”

The Ethel resident opened her doors almost three years ago, with deli sandwiches and take-and-bake pizza. Before that, she’d been helping the building owner with her coffee shop there.

Mary’s Corner Espresso has served customers there for five years.

AeCha Jackins yesterday too was very sad for her loss, but feeling gratitude for the firefighters who tried to save the structure, and for the customers who arrived and comforted her at the scene.

They’ve become friends, she said.

“Nice people around there, I love to be there,” Jackins said. “I’m so thankful nobody hurt; that’s the most blessed thing.”

Jackins and her husband, who live in Rochester, purchased the building about 15 years ago. They and Hill both carried insurance.

Lewis County Fire District 5 Firefighter Maria Kennedy who was first on the scene described the worst of the fire in the back of the building. Hill said the room in back was used for storage.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire out of the coffee shop portion, but it sustained smoke and water damage, according to Kennedy.

Hill, who leased her space, said she really wants to re-open.

“I loved my little business,” she said.

Jackins was even more certain she would work to make sure she could serve her customers once again.

“I am going to come back, as strong as ever,” Jackins said. “I am going to rebuild.”

•••

For background, read “Mary’s Corner Deli burns”, from Wednesday December 3, 2014, here