PORT TOWNSEND — The trial of Michael J. Pierce, accused of killing a Quilcene couple and then setting their house ablaze to cover his tracks, has been delayed until next spring, about a year after Patrick and Janice Yarr were found dead in their burned home.
The trial of the 34-year-old Quilcene man on double-homicide charges, as well as six other felonies, had been scheduled to begin this week, but defense attorney Richard Davies has asked for more time to prepare his case.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office isn’t ready, either.
“We are probably about 80 percent ready to go, as we still have some lab work out and still need to reduce the witness list to something reasonable,” said Scott Rosekrans, chief criminal deputy prosecuting attorney.
Rosekrans said his office would seek a trial date in March during Pierce’s next scheduled appearance in Jefferson County Superior Court on Nov. 13.
Pierce is charged with killing the Yarrs at their Boulton Farm Road home on March 18, 2008.
Patrick Yarr, 60, and Janice Yarr, 57, were found dead in their home the next day.
Investigators said the Yarrs had not died from the fire, and that the blaze was intentionally set.
The Yarrs were described as “icons” in the timber industry during a memorial service at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in April, which drew more than 700 people from acorss the Norht Olympic Peninsula.
Pierce, who was arrested March 23, remains in the Jefferson County jail without the option of bail until his trial.
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell has said that the prosecution will not seek the death penalty. Pierce faces life in prison if he is convicted.
Pierce is charged with two counts of murder, arson, robbery, burglary, theft of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and theft.
Hard on family
Michelle Ham, one of the Yarrs’ daughters, said her family is hoping for a quick resolution to the case.
“As a family, we are still really struggling to deal with this,” Ham said.
“While I don’t want them to rush this to trial, we as a family haven’t even been able to begin to deal with the loss of our parents because this is ongoing.
“It’s had an affect on all of us and it’s really been tough.”
Still, Ham said she wasn’t surprised by the motion to move the trial back.
“We were already told it most likely wouldn’t happen in November,” she said.
“I know this is typical, but it shouldn’t be.”
Roskrans said once Pierce’s trial begins he expects it to take as much as month to complete.
“I’m going to ask that they block out the calendar for the entire month,” he said.
“We have a lot to go through.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
