Meyer to stand trial in arson case

SANDPOINT — After a delay prompted by a refusal to appear on video, Jennifer Suzanne Meyer was ordered to stand trial on arson charges connected to a fire that destroyed the Army Surplus on July 4.

Once the arraignment hearing resumed at the Bonner County Courthouse, Meyer again was unresponsive, placing her head on the defense table and refusing to speak throughout the 10-minute arraignment hearing.

"The greatest concern here is the protection of the public and public safety," Magistrate Judge Luke Hagelberg said in ruling to move the case forward. "It is really a miracle that no one was severely injured or worse. The timing of this is also very, very troubling."

Saying he found the state's request appropriate, Hagelberg set a preliminary hearing for July 31 and set bond at $1 million on a charge of first-degree arson. The charge carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

The motion was in line with the state's request in which Deputy Prosecutor Katie Sherritt said there were concerns about Meyer, 50, being a possible flight risk. While they could find no prior criminal history, the deputy prosecutor noted the defendant lived in multiple states and residences.

During a search of Meyer's home, officers allegedly found a bag next to the front door containing personal documents, including her driver's license, birth certificate, college transcript and passport, $1,000 in cash, a gun and ammunition, and silver valued at an estimated $1,200.

"Concerning to the state is the likelihood of her fleeing the city of Sandpoint and possibly the state," Sherritt told the court.

The nature of the crime is even more concerning, she said, noting the devastating impact to the store's owner, Cornel Rasor, and his family, but also to the community at large with the fire being set 10-15 minutes before the end of the community's Fourth of July fireworks show.

"So 10 to 15 minutes before the fireworks are set to finish, she set fire to a building that is full of ammunition where hundreds if not thousands of people are getting ready to walk out and past that building," Sherritt told the court. "That causes a huge, huge risk to the public."

However, public defender Jeremy T. Reagan told the court Meyer had no criminal history in the state and that it could secure her presence by holding on to her passport.

While the state asked for a bail of $1 million, Reagan asked the court for a bail of $50,000. The public defender noted Meyer lives in the area and willingly went to the police station and was cooperative when questioned in connection to the fire.

However, Hagelberg ultimately sided with the state.

Bailiffs stood on either side of the defense table and a third encouraged Meyer to stand to escort her from the chamber, still silent. 

The hearing was initially set for a video arraignment. However, after initially appearing in the room set aside for such hearings at the Bonner County Jail, Meyer got up and disappeared from view and could be heard objecting to appearing on video.

"I can't do this right now," she could be heard telling a bailiff as he directed her to sit in the chair and face the camera. "I can't do video responses. No, I can't do it. I'm sorry."

The bailiff again explained that the judge could see her and she could see him and that her responses were being recorded.

"I just can't do this," Meyer could be heard saying.

The exchange prompted Magistrate Judge Luke Hagelberg to ask the bailiff if someone could transport Meyer from the jail so the arraignment hearing could continue. Once she arrived at the courthouse, Meyer was led into the courtroom wearing a bright yellow inmate uniform and her long, dark blonde hair loose about her shoulders.

After shuffling to the defendant's table, Meyer immediately put her head down, where she remained motionless and silent throughout the hearing.

"Ma'am, can you hear me?" Hagelberg asked, before saying he had heard her speaking to the bailiffs at the jail and felt that the hearing could continue.

Hagelberg noted that Meyer had reviewed and signed a notification of her rights July 17 and ruled the procedure could continue.

Noting that since she was not responding to the court and noting the income she reported in her application for a public defender, Hagelberg appointed one to represent her at trial.

Meyer was identified as the suspect following a review of multiple hours of video of the fire at the Army Surplus store and an investigation by the Sandpoint Police Department, which spent several days sorting through tips, video surveillance, and canvassing the neighborhood for any leads.

Meyer was interviewed Tuesday by Sandpoint Police and subsequently taken into custody on a charge of first-degree arson.