Settle woman gave $50,000 for David's defense

Cathy Shelly was so convinced of David Meister’s innocence that she gave the 26-year-old Bonners Ferry man $50,000 toward his defense.

The Seattle family friend continues to believe that Meister did not kill Tonya Hart on Dec. 11, 2006, north of Moscow.

“I went to the trial, met David and talked to him,” Shelly said. “I saw him as a little boy. He was so afraid.”

She has visits Meister in prison a couple times a year and is convinced his trial was corrupt.

Lynn Aldridge of Bonners Ferry said she also contributed her savings toward Meister’s defense.

“In my view, David is a man of honor,” said Aldridge, who does application profiling for a Fortune 500 company.

Aldridge has known Meister since he was 12 and was shocked to hear about his arrest.

“I just thought there had to be some mistake. David is normal,” Aldridge said. “When his father died, he was young and he kind of stepped into the role of the man in the family. He was always very protective of his mom and sister.”

High school friend Kris Zwinger said Meister was a great guy, a big sweetheart she hung around the skate park with.

“I never thought he would be capable of something like that,” Zwinger said. “He’s the type of guy who would give you his shirt.”