Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer announces no charges against Ron Reynolds, Jonathan Reynolds, at the Lewis County courthouse this morning
Updated at 2:15 p.m. and 8:50 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer will not file criminal charges against the husband and step-son of former trooper Ronda Reynolds despite them being named as responsible for her homicide during the recently concluded coroner’s inquest into the December 1998 death.
But murder knows no statute of limitations, Meyer said at a press conference this morning at the Lewis County courthouse.
Ronda Reynolds
The elected prosecutor cited a lack of physical evidence available for a trial, as most was released after the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office early on decided the death was a suicide.
He also noted a higher standard he must adhere to if choosing to prosecute criminally, relative the rules that pertained to Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod’s inquest.
One issue is the obvious foreseeable defense he must consider in making a charging decision, Meyer said. The inquest jury named Toledo Elementary School Principal Ron Reynolds and his son Jonathan Reynolds.
“There is some evidence to suggest Ms. Reynolds was murdered; however there is also evidence to suggest she killed herself,” Meyer said.
However, he left the door open to further inquiry.
Meyer said he will be talking with the sheriff and discuss options for obtaining information he thinks is important for closure of the matter one way or the other.
Barb Thompson, who has battled for almost 13 years to see justice in her daughter’s case, repeatedly said this morning she is fine with the outcome and now can go on with her life.
“I’m okay with this decision,” Thompson told news reporters.
Following the eight-day inquest that concluded last week the coroner issued arrest warrants for the two men as required by state law, but recalled them to investigate an issue and then re-issued them again the night before last.
Prosecutor Meyer said he believes the sheriff is still obligated to serve the warrants, but doesn’t know what will occur when the Reynolds’s are brought before a judge.
“The statute is completely silent as to the process,” Meyer said, adding he will be prepared to answer any questions the judge has.
Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield has remained tight-lipped throughout the inquest and since.
Mansfield stated publicly the day the inquest began that its outcome would not cause him to reopen their case or change its disposition in his office – suicide – unless clear and compelling new information arose.
Despite the sheriff’s office stance in the case, Meyer said he has confidence the sheriff will assist him in getting the answers he wants.
“Had they not followed up on some leads given to them by Barb and her team, I might have that concern, but they have followed up on several leads they’ve been given,” Meyer said.
Meyer said his ethical obligations as a prosecutor prevent him at this point from simply letting a jury decide if there is enough evidence.
The prosecutor said he has to have substantial admissible evidence, be able to convict, and in this case, and also consider a foreseeable defense.
“And in this case, I don’t think we’d be able to meet that burden,” he said.
Thompson said she was disappointed but has faith in Meyer as a prosecutor, and as new information comes in, she’ll work with him for as long as he allows her to do that.
“I think he’s going to keep that door open for me,” Thompson said.
She reminded a small crowd of news reporters that true crime author Ann Rule has offered a $30,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information that ends in a conviction of the person responsible for her daughter’s death.
“Thirty-thousand dollars is a lot of money,” he said.
“We still think some may,” she said. “We know they know. There’s people out there that know.”
Regardless of today’s announcement of no charges, Thompson is feeling a great deal of finality knowing the suicide label will be replaced with that of homicide.
She has been keeping her daughter’s ashes at home, and now feels free to scatter them, she said.
“You know, I needed that, I needed that determination to do that,” she said.
•••
Read background on the coroner’s inquest, here
Barb Thompson, of Spokane, answers reporter's questions after the prosecutor's announcement.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Good for you Meyer. How difficult it must be to make a decision that will cause people to “hate” you. Weather one of the the Reynolds men killed her or not…you have a job to do. Your integrity and insight are appreciated.
i agree: i hope the PA and the coroner have jobs lined up b/c I am making it my mission to get them out of office!
I don’t trust the current coroner because he was really tight with Meyers during the election. He will probably leave it as undetermined and not homicide because he is part of the good ole boys system here. How else did a man from out of town move here without knowing anyone and get elected without anyone checking his background at the NV coroner’s office and why he was asked to resign from there. Lewis County would be better served by getting rid of bad attorneys and judges such as Hunt and Jim Buzzard.
I wish some of you would read lewis county sirens to and see whats being said…..
Too bad this wasn’t last year when Cheeseman ran for sheriff against Mansfield…might have been a different outcome.
…..I mean…we finally got some action with the new coronor…so maybe we’ll get some more action when we have a new sheriff.
Thank you DJP For saying all many of us know to be true. This good old boy BS has over stepped this one. The county needs to be sued on this one, and Iam sure Barb could win. This was not a parking ticket but a cold blooded murder. With 48 hours to put this for all to see, plus Ann’s Book I can only pray that Justice can still happen. Iam out of words on this one—
If and when there is a new Sheriff in town that’s honest and willing and dedicated ….will that make a difference on whether charges will be filed so that a jury even get’s a chance to convict?
Years ago, Barb Thompson tried to get into position to file a civil wrongful death case against Ron Reynolds, but she was denied that authority by the probate court because Ronda’s death was being called a “suicide” and not a “homicide” by authorities, which meant Ronda’s husband could not be sued as her “slayer.”
Since, Barb Thompson has done everything she can– 13 years of gathering evidence, hiring experts, meeting with authorities, bringing a jury proceeding, fighting two appeals, attending the jury inquest, etc., etc., etc., all on her own tiime and at her own expense from Spokane.
To his credit, Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod will have completed his part when he changes Ronda Reynolds’ death certificate to “homicide.” The next steps are the responsibility of the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney and Lewis County Sheriff– if only they have the will and dedication to do so.
Despite some missing evidence, there is plenty of evidence remaining to present to a jury in a criminal case. Juries are not stupid– they are smart.
The residents of Lewis County must carry Ronda’s case the rest of the way, which includes keeping the pressure on elected Lewis County officials to do their jobs. If not, then nobody will ever be held responsible for the murder of Ronda Reynolds, which would mean people can get away with murder in Lewis County.
Remember, murder suspects always say “there’s not enough evidence.” It the job of the sheriff and prosecutor to prove otherwise. It can be done.
You have got to be kidding?! If Lewis County officers had not botched up the investigation and done who knows what with the evidence we could have arrests. This is unbelievable. What about the woman who washed the bloody jeans? Why was the first EMT on the scene never questioned? Who would think to put an electric blanket on a dead body? Perhaps Catherine who had nursing knowledge. What about the life insurance policy Reynolds signed within minutes of the death? I have had the death of a spouse, believe me, the life insurance is not the first thing you think of when a death occurs – you are so distraught you can’t even think straight. Seems to me Ron was thinking very straight. What about the gun with no fingerprints on it. What did Ronda do; shoot herself and then in her last gasping breath wipe fingerprints off the gun? What about the guy who testified his prints should have been all over the gun. What about the other gal Ron was dating before Ronda who got out of that relationship when he kept pressing her to put his name on her property? Why would Ron not protest, in his divorce to Catherine, the $80,000 awarded her? Perhaps he knew all along that he could get Ronda’s money after her death and go back to Catherine and the $80,000. Something is rotten here. Why would Catherine, the drug addict ex-wife, be at Ronda’s home the day after her death; sleeping in Ronda’s bed. Why was Ron too distraught to let Ronda’s mom have a few keepsakes, but thinking clearly enough to get that life insurance paper work signed. Oh, yes, my friends. Something is rotten here. We all know from the book that Jonathan couldn’t stand Ronda – how convenient. I am so furious over this I can hardly see straight. My husband worked for Lewis County for nearly 30 years. Time and time again he told me of botched cases, good old boy ways of you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. After he left I begged him to write the editor about all the deceit he saw, but he would not. He was a much better person than I am. I wish I’d have written down all the scenario’s; I would have written the editor. I have personal knowledge that a number of years ago a police detective from another city was sent to investigate the evidence room at Lewis County (not related to this case). He said he’d never seen such a mess! Who is paying who to stifle this case? What is going on?
Well if Meyer doesn’t think there is enough evidence to win a conviction in a criminal case, maybe Royce Ferguson would have better luck with the lower standard of proof necessary for a jury in a civil trial to find someone responsible for Ronda’s death. He has been quoted in the news and on this commenting forum that he believes there is enough evidence for a conviction if presently carefully and properly.
Think O.J. Simpson.
Civil cases don’t lead to prison time for the guilty party, but they do punish in other ways – MONEY!!!! Barb may not be interested in receiving in money for her daughter’s murder, but she could make it clear from the beginning that if a jury awarded any monetary verdict that every penny would be given to some organization that Ronda felt strongly about – Maybe something to do with animials (horses or dogs) or to support women in law enforcement.
A civil case may even open doors to finding the new evidence the prosecutor needs to move forward in a criminal trial.
Why don’t they just go after all those cops who lied to investigators, or the ones who made evidence “disappear”?
I hope the Lewis County Prosecutor has a good job lined up for after November of next year. He’s going to be needing it after he loses his current position.
Ok who is going to step up and LOOK for more evidence , since the Sheriff refuses to do so? I realize Mr. Meyer’s hands were tied. Someone needs to do more digging until there IS something with which to prosecute.