[1]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.
[2]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 [3]
[4]Barb Thompson, of Spokane, answers reporter's questions after the prosecutor's announcement.