Prosecutor: Death Penalty Not an Option for Man Accused of Killing Toddler

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James Maurice Reeder, the man arrested on Thursday in connection with the death of a 2-year-old Centralia girl, is not eligible for the death sentence, Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer has told The Chronicle.

Reeder, 25, was charged Tuesday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court with homicide by abuse, a felony crime that does not include premeditation. He’s also facing two counts of first-degree rape of a child, two counts of first-degree assault and possession of methamphetamine.

Premeditation is a necessary factor for the death penalty, Meyer said.

If convicted on all charges, Reeder could face life in prison.

He was arrested late last week after initially reporting that Koralynn Fister, the daughter of his girlfriend, had drowned while taking a bath.

The Lewis County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy and found that the death was a homicide and that Koralynn had been the victim of prolonged abuse.



During Reeder's court appearance Tuesday, family and friends of David Fister, the biological father of Koralynn, filled two rows of the courtroom. Many had blue ribbons pinned on their chest representing their support for the protection of children.

Reeder's attorney, David Arcuri, said Reeder is a lifetime Lewis County resident and Reeder has no prior felony convictions.

The day before the toddler's death, one of Koralynn's maternal aunts noticed an injury on the child's bottom and told Koralynn's mother about it, according to court documents. Koralynn's mother discussed the injury with Reeder, who convinced her that the toddler did not need medical care and that the injuries were "simple, childhood injuries," according to court documents.

Police are still investigating the case, and an arrest of Koralynn's mother is not imminent, Detective Sgt. Pat Fitzgerald told The Chronicle Tuesday.

A search warrant of the home revealed marijuana and what police believe to be methamphetamine, Fitzgerald said. A warrant was issued for a blood drug test for Reeder; however, police do not know when the results will come back.

Reeder's bail is set at $5 million. He is scheduled to reappear in court on June 7.