Medic: Reynolds' husband was calm, 'almost detached-acting'
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CHEHALIS, Wash. -- Was it suicide or homicide?
Monday was the first day of a coroner's inquest into the death of former state trooper Ronda Reynolds.
A KOMO News investigation led, in part, to the inquest. After Reynolds' mother contacted KOMO News and kept fighting to clear her daughter's name, the inquest was ordered by a newly-elected coroner. The former coroner Terry Wilson had refused to change the finding of suicide.
Reynolds died 13 years ago. She was found shot in the head in the bedroom closet of her Toledo home. The coroner originally ruled it a suicide, but Reynolds' mother, Barb Thompson, doesn't believe it.
"I want a determination of homicide put on my daughter's death certificate," said Thompson.
Coroner Warren McLeod is holding the inquest to see if that's what he should do. Robert Bishop, a retired deputy who was at the scene of the crime, says yes.
"I do not believe it was a suicide; I believe it was a homicide," he said.
The first medic to arrive on the scene said she was suspicious of Reynolds' husband's demeanor.
"He was particularly calm and almost detached-acting," said Janice Nielsen. "Very formal."
Nielsen added there was a note written on the mirror that said, "'I love you, call me,' and a phone number in lipstick."
"It seemed odd that somebody would tell them to call them and then harm themselves," said Nielsen.
Independent investigators said there are just too many inconsistencies for this to be a suicide, including the position of the body and the location where the gun was found.
But another deputy at the scene testified on Monday that Reynolds' husband told him their marriage was failing.
"Basically that there was an argument that had been going on during the evening hours, and she had been talking about suicide," said retired deputy Gary Holt.
in 2009 a judicial inquiry, a jury ruled Reynold's dead was not suicide, setting the stage for this inquest. If there's a finding of homicide, this jury could name a suspect. Thompson is doubtful.
"Can I tell you who actually pulled the trigger? I can't, beyond a reasonable doubt. How can I expect a jury to? So no, I do not expect them to name a suspect," she said.
The inquest is set for six days. Reynolds' husband and stepsons have chosen to exercise their Fifth Amendment right not to testify.
The Lewis County sheriff says if new information surfaces, he'll consider reopening the case.
Monday was the first day of a coroner's inquest into the death of former state trooper Ronda Reynolds.
A KOMO News investigation led, in part, to the inquest. After Reynolds' mother contacted KOMO News and kept fighting to clear her daughter's name, the inquest was ordered by a newly-elected coroner. The former coroner Terry Wilson had refused to change the finding of suicide.
Reynolds died 13 years ago. She was found shot in the head in the bedroom closet of her Toledo home. The coroner originally ruled it a suicide, but Reynolds' mother, Barb Thompson, doesn't believe it.
"I want a determination of homicide put on my daughter's death certificate," said Thompson.
Coroner Warren McLeod is holding the inquest to see if that's what he should do. Robert Bishop, a retired deputy who was at the scene of the crime, says yes.
"I do not believe it was a suicide; I believe it was a homicide," he said.
The first medic to arrive on the scene said she was suspicious of Reynolds' husband's demeanor.
"He was particularly calm and almost detached-acting," said Janice Nielsen. "Very formal."
Nielsen added there was a note written on the mirror that said, "'I love you, call me,' and a phone number in lipstick."
"It seemed odd that somebody would tell them to call them and then harm themselves," said Nielsen.
Independent investigators said there are just too many inconsistencies for this to be a suicide, including the position of the body and the location where the gun was found.
But another deputy at the scene testified on Monday that Reynolds' husband told him their marriage was failing.
"Basically that there was an argument that had been going on during the evening hours, and she had been talking about suicide," said retired deputy Gary Holt.
in 2009 a judicial inquiry, a jury ruled Reynold's dead was not suicide, setting the stage for this inquest. If there's a finding of homicide, this jury could name a suspect. Thompson is doubtful.
"Can I tell you who actually pulled the trigger? I can't, beyond a reasonable doubt. How can I expect a jury to? So no, I do not expect them to name a suspect," she said.
The inquest is set for six days. Reynolds' husband and stepsons have chosen to exercise their Fifth Amendment right not to testify.
The Lewis County sheriff says if new information surfaces, he'll consider reopening the case.
