I.V. Fire District personnel testify in arson, murder trial
Chief Harry Rich and two of his officers testified recently in the trial of a man accused of setting a fire that resulted in the death of a man in a mobile home in the city of Cave Junction.
Rich outlined the case during a regular meeting of Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) directors on Thursday night, Oct. 11 at administrative HQ. He said that he, Deputy Chief Jeff Gavlik and Volunteer Lt. Jim O’Grady from Selma Station 2 testified.
At issue is whether the suspect, Cave Junction resident Benjamin Tolle, 30, caused a fire on the night of Dec. 13, 2005 on Caves Avenue. He has been in jail since being arrested the day after the fire by a Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputy who found him with the victim’s car in Kerby.
He is charged with murder, arson, and burglary.
The victim was Curtis Dylan Willie, 28. He died of smoke inhalation, not from a blow to his head, Rich said.
Thursday’s meeting was relatively brief, as board Chairman Larrick Jones and Director Jerry Lamb were absent. Vice Chairman Sam Michel directed the meeting. Also absent was Gavlik.
Fire Marshal Jerry Schaeffer reported that numerous burn permits have been issued recently because of the end of fire season. He also noted that there have been numerous escaped debris burns and small brush fires recently.
Residents are advised to phone the IVFD information line at 592-2121, and to use caution when burning, especially on windy days.
Maintenance Chief Kris Sherman told the board that efforts have been successful to return an airport crash truck on loan through a federal program. Described as an older truck, the rig needed new tires that would cost an estimated $10,000 to $12,000, Sherman said.
It was noted at the end of the 35-minute meeting that the next session will be held Thursday, Nov. 15 instead of Nov. 8.
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