No parent should have to bury their child. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why they do, including sadly, suicide. Regardless of why, all are very painful.
I have empathy for Barb Thompson whose daughter died from a single gunshot wound to the head back in 1998, and don’t blame the jury for their verdict last week that called the determination of suicide “inaccurate” because only one side was presented in the recently completed hearing.
The failure to present even a weak case, and present the factual results of the investigation, didn’t result in a victory, as much as a forfeit. Consequently, professionals associated with this case were unfairly maligned and the outcome predictable when a strong case could have been made.
When Ronda Reynolds died, I was sheriff and accept responsibility for the mistakes, regardless of who made them, including Detective Jerry Berry — and he made some. Berry reached his conclusions with an incomplete investigation, few facts and little supporting evidence.
Before we called it a suicide, what information did we have?
Deputies, medics and the on-call detective responded when it was reported. Several people, including husband Ron Reynolds, had checked the victim, which isn’t unusual. So the scene was slightly disturbed.
One investigative tool used was the polygraph, and Berry ordered one for Ron Reynolds. The results were inconclusive, but two polygraph experts said that a test administered too soon after a traumatic event isn’t reliable.
Later, a second polygraph was given, and the results reviewed by a second expert. Ron Reynolds passed it and both experts agreed that he was truthful.
Our background included Ronda’s criminal history, her personal history, and her financial history. The information was not flattering or insignificant. She had a troubled past, with a serious financial issue pending.
We had statements from friends and associates of Ronda who were not surprised by her suicide. One recounted a conversation with her where she said something like she’d use a gun, do it right, and make it look like someone else did it. Another statement from the night before her death, about her mood, said she was in a “dark place.”
The autopsy report from a criminal pathologist, a court certified expert in death investigations, concluded her death was consistent with suicide.
Another expert in blood spatter patterns said there was nothing inconsistent with suicide.
Ronda’s hands were tested and two of three chemicals in gunshot residue were present on her hands.
We did a reenactment to be sure what we thought happened, could have.
The case was reviewed by then Chief Deputy Prosecutor David Arcuri.
After that, it was classified as a suicide.
Berry didn’t accept that, but he also did little to prove otherwise. He called a retired New York detective and gave him some of the information we had, which resulted in an unflattering opinion of the investigation.
Since then, I understand his opinion has changed.
Barb Thompson asked to meet about our decision. She had questions we didn’t have answers for, and wanted the death reclassified until we did. It seemed a reasonable request, so I asked the coroner to change the death certificate, but didn’t promise her a different outcome.
I had concerns about the quality of the investigation done by Berry, and our supervision of him. I wanted an outside objective review and contacted the state Attorney General’s office for help. Their expert homicide investigators agreed to review the case.
I also told them I wanted the truth regardless of where it led.
Their conclusion was suicide as well.
Berry’s claim he was demoted because of this case might sound good for a book, but simply isn’t true. Detective is a temporary assignment for a specific amount of time. His time was simply up.
Which brings me to the recent hearing.
The jury reached the only verdict they could. No witnesses were called, no investigators interviewed, no cross examination of Marty Hayes and Berry, and nothing contrary was presented to the jury.
Why wasn’t the pathologist who did the autopsy called to defend his opinion? Why wasn’t anyone at the sheriff’s office asked to explain their conclusions? Why were none of the Attorney General’s office investigators called about their review or conclusions?
Instead, the only “experts” called were a former reserve deputy, an unsuccessful candidate for coroner who teaches shooting (Hayes), and a former detective and unsuccessful candidate for sheriff and coroner, who was responsible for many of the failures he complains about.
There were qualified experts who could have been called, but weren’t.
Here is a little more to consider.
Berry just completed training in homicide investigations, but failed to properly diagram the scene before releasing it.
He allowed a retired deputy with no official business into the scene for reasons we don’t know.
He felt he had a suspect, but failed to test his hands for gunshot residue.
He could have asked for the State Crime Lab to respond, but didn’t.
Evidence samples collected at the autopsy were never picked up by Berry. During the follow-up his sergeant found them still in the coroner’s office care.
Finally, believing Berry’s cover-up theory requires a belief that:
I participated in the cover-up of a murder.
The coroner participated in the cover-up.
The detective sergeant, chief criminal deputy, and responding deputy, and on-call detective participated in the cover-up.
The current sheriff participated in the cover-up.
Two polygraph professionals, a pathologist, and a blood spatter expert participated in the cover-up.
The chief deputy prosecutor participated in the cover-up.
And … the Attorney General’s office participated in the cover-up.
Why would any or all of these people cover up a murder?
The answer is they didn’t.
John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis, and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@yahoo.com.
pickelw65
As a former sheriffs office employee and one of the investigators on the Dixie Harkcom case I have some insight into the case. Mrs. Harkcoms killer is currently serving life in prison for First Degree Murder w/out the chance of parole. Another individual who confessed to me his involvement was not charged by the prosecutors office after passing a polygraph test. I can not answer as to why the prosecutor chose not to prosecute. I can assure you that Former Sheriff McCrosky and his staff had sleepless nights over this case. We worked hard as did McCrosky to ensure that a complete and professional investigation was conducted. The origanal detective in the case failed to interview the man currently serving a life term even though his name was on the list of possible suspects from the onset of the case. The case was solved after the office received a tip from an inmate at the Cowlitz County jail and I went and interveiwed him. I received detailed information about the case which went to trial and resulted in a conviction. I was not at the scene when she was found but became involved later. I interviewed all suspects involved. I spent hundreds of hours and in the end the man who pulled the trigger and took Dixies life faced a jury who convicted him of her murder! I still visit the site when I am in town. Training is important but in this case a tip, good informant building skills and gaining the trust of Chris Miller led to his conviction. The case is closed as far as the Sheriff's Office is concerned. But for me it will never be closed as long as the others involved are free. One is already in prison on a third strike conviciton. The other two have spent time in prison as well. No LE agency is exempt from mistakes but I can assure you that in this case not many were made.
forensic-er
Dear Readers.... I implore you to click on this link and read all you can about this case. Here you will find real crimes - real coverups - by law enforcement. Also please read Detective Jerry Berry's Book "Where Murderers Walk Free." And pass this information on to all truth seekers.http://www.realcrimes.com/
acampbell
Clarification:Attorneys on both sides told us that they didn't expect the defense to call witnesses in the case, mostly because a jury decision that the suicide ruling was inaccurate wouldn't have any effect on the coroner, nor would it force him to change his decision. A deputy coroner was present in the courtroom, however it's unclear what change, if any, will be made after the hearings. Any argument the defense has will be used in a case that actually affects the coroner or the death certificate.
forensic-er
rustynale.. I agree wholeheartedly. Also to musingonthemiddlefork I asked again about the rotational detective system. Why in the Dixie Harkcom murder did you put two inexperienced homicide investigators with no sophisticated interviewing/interrogation training which was needed at the time? If my mom or sister or daughter was murdered I wouldn't want a trainee placed in the lead detective position. I would be outraged!! This female lead detective told Detective Berry that she couldn't understand why she had been called to that case when she was over a hundred miles away and a TRAINED detective was willing and ready to do the job. She said she liked to assist in homicide investigations, "but did not want to be a lead in one."
Rusty Nale
Past Sheriff-Were you at any of the hearings? Did you know that Mr. Hays was accepted as a munitions expert? Why did you call him a Gun Shooting teacher? He is that but much more! He is an intelligent educated man, who did indeed, run for Cororner, against a well entrenched individual and he does teach others how to handle firearms. However, he is a recognized fire arms expert, has testified for several other trials and was accepted as such for this particular trial. Did you actually hear the testimony as those testifying were grilled by the defense? Why didn't Mr. Wilson testify? It certainly would have cleared the air. Did you make it a practice of observing murder and suicide sites? If not, why not? The people involved in the investigation of this particular murder/suicide need to step up and explain what they saw at that time. No conspiracy has really ever been mentioned but a quest for the truth, the manner in which Ronda Reynolds died, has been for years. Let the truth come out. The case was mishandled from the get-go. Just say so! From the time of the call to 911, i.e. "my wife has killed herself" to the announcement of "suicide" you guys boggled this. All the individuals involved had some part of this. You, yourself, could have easily cleared this up long ago, by admitting that not all the "t's" were crossed nor the "i's" dotted. It is easy to pick up the paper, read your column and accept what you have to say, unless of course one should wonder why Ms. Reynolds was under an electric blanket, with her hand that pulled the trigger, under the covers. Why was she in the closet? Why didn't her closest friends suspect or "buy" suicide? Too many unanswered questions and it is easy to lob stones from a distance, when truly all this gals' mom wants is the truth.
forensic-er
Well... 12 jurors said.... "CLEARLY... THIS WAS NOT A SUICIDE". It appears they were making a decision based on the facts. The coverup is not trying to coverup Ron Reynolds being the murderer. No .. the coverup going on here is the county covering up their own incompetencies in fear of looking foolish.
John
Thanks for asking more about the rotational detective assignment. Wasn't really something I thought of, it is done many places, and I saw value in the idea. In most cases the first responder to any crime scene is a patrol deputy. The idea was to give more deputies, over time, better training and more experience so scenes and cases were handled better. They all don't rotate in or out at the same time, so there is always experience in the unit. That was true with the drug unit as well. Generally, the assignment is up to 5 years and their experience is used back in patrol.Hope that answers your question and thanks again for the comments
Chuck Haunreiter
Well, here we go.Now we'll start getting letters from Barb Thompson and Jerry Berry refuting everything McCroskey has to say.The only reason McCroskey even has a column is because of The Chronicle portraying him as a "hard-nosed" sheriff for taking away from the inmates their coffee, radio, TV, etc. That didn't make McCroskey a good sheriff. But this IS Lewis County. McCroskey is a media creation. He would never make it in any other county.The bottom line is that the defense DIDN'T call any witnesses. Why not? What did they have to hide?
forensic-er
.... and yeah, McCrosky... tell people more about your 'Rotational Detective System" where an officer on regular patrol duty status suddenly will become the lead detective on a case even though he has little or no experience in detective work because... it's his turn now. No wonder the cases get messed up around Lewis County. Until people wake up and smell the coffee..(and doughnuts) nothing will ever change. Thank you Jerry Berry and Barb Thompson for your courage in standing up against the corruption in our county.
Rosebud
why weren't you called as a witness?