The brother of a girl found dead in the burned garage of their family’s Littleton home appeared in court Tuesday to be advised of potential charges against him.
James Meyer Jr., 15, was advised that he is likely to face charges of reckless manslaughter, a Class 4 felony, and first-degree arson, a Class 3 felony, said Kathleen Walsh, spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office.
Meyer was arrested Monday, and formal charges are scheduled to be filed in court Friday, Walsh said. Prosecutors will decide whether to charge Meyer as a juvenile or adult at that time.
Meyer’s 13-year-old sister, Jessica, was found dead June 7 in the burned garage of her home.
“We feel very strongly that James Meyer’s involvement is directly related to Jessica’s death,” said Sean Dugan, spokesman for the Littleton Police Department, which has conducted a two-month investigation in the case. “We think (Jessica’s) death was caused prior to the fire.”
An initial autopsy conducted June 12 found Jessica’s death to be “consistent with a fire-related death,” according to Arapahoe County Coroner Dr. Michael Dobersen. Results of toxicology tests done after the autopsy have been sealed at the request of the coroner’s office.
“There is an ongoing investigation that we feel releasing details would interfere with,” Dobersen said.
Friends of James Meyer gathered in front of his boarded-up house Tuesday evening to protest his arrest.
“When his sister died, he was devastated,” said Nikki Melvin, 15, a classmate of James’ at Heritage High School.
Another friend described James Meyer as a normal high school boy. “He acted bad, but he was really sweet at heart,” said Travis Bohlen, 16. “He would never do a thing like this.”
Police said they found James Meyer at a neighbor’s house playing video games after the fire.
“We ruled out accidental causes some time ago,” Dugan said. “There was no forced access to the house, so it was determined that it had to be someone with access.”
Elaine Meyer, mother of Jessica and James, works for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Staff writer JP Eichmiller can be reached at 303-820-1201 or jpeichmiller@denverpost.com.
