By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A deal was struck today that means there will be no trial for James M. Reeder but he will go to prison for many years and possibly the rest of his life.
The 26-year-old, accused of rape, torture and the death of his girlfriend’s toddler, pleaded guilty today, but didn’t admit guilt.
[1]James M. Reeder
He made a so-called Alford plea in which he acknowledged a jury hearing the evidence would likely find him guilty, but acknowledged no wrongdoing.
“We got the maximum of life, which is the best we could get at trial, and we don’t have to deal with appeals,” Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said this afternoon.
Koralynn Fister, 2, died May 24 in Centralia. Reeder claimed he stepped away to get a towel while giving her a bath and returned to find her face down in the tub. She died from head trauma and drowning, but authorities said they also found evidence of sexual assault.
The unemployed man who previously worked as a floor installer was separated from his wife when he moved in with Koralynn’s mother in Centralia roughly two months before the death.
According to a report in his court file, he attempted suicide in the jail, trying to drown himself in the sink.
Reeder pleaded guilty today in Lewis County Superior Court to homicide by abuse, second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree rape of a child and possession of methamphetamine.
His sentencing will probably occur around the first part of February, according to Meyer.
The rape conviction means he will be sentenced to an indeterminate length of time with a maximum of life, according to Meyer. A board [2], like the former parole board, will be responsible for deciding when and if he gets released after he’s served the minimum number of years.
Reeder has no felony criminal history.
Meyer said he will recommend to the judge the minimum stay be 37 and a half years. Reeder’s attorney will be free to recommend 28 years, he said.
Those numbers come from the offense that has the highest standard range among the five counts to which Reeder pleaded guilty; homicide by abuse. It has a standard sentencing range of roughly 28 to 37 and a half years.
Defense attorney David Arcuri didn’t return a phone call this afternoon seeking comment.
As part of the deal, Reeder gave up his right to appeal in any way, according to Meyer.
Secondarily, Meyer said, this avoids the trauma of a trial for all involved.
“Police officers, doctors, jurors, other witnesses; jurors would have to see things they’ve never seen before,” he said of the graphic evidence.
Meyer also this afternoon spoke of his gratitude to the professionalism of members of the fire and police departments.
“They saw things and dealt with things they never should have,” he said.
Reeder will make a brief appearance in court on Jan. 17 to set a date for sentencing. They will have to wait for a pre-sentencing review to be conducted by the state Department of Corrections.
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For background, read “Breaking news: Mother’s boyfriend held for investigation of rape, murder of Centralia child” from Friday May 25, 2012 at 5 p.m., here [3]