PORT TOWNSEND — The man accused of killing a Quilcene couple and then setting their house afire to cover his tracks will not face the death penalty, Jefferson County’s prosecuting attorney said Monday.
Michael J. Pierce, also of Quilcene, is charged in Jefferson County Superior Court with two counts of capital murder.
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell said Monday afternoon that “we will not seek the death penalty” in the trial scheduled to begin Nov. 2.
The state has until Sept. 12 to make the decision, but Dalzell said it’s a formality.
“I have notified the court, the lawyers and the family. It’s official.”
Pierce, 34, is charged with killing Patrick and Janice Yarr and six other felonies related to the deaths and the burning of the Yarrs’ Boulton Farm Road home in March.
He will face the maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if found guilty.
Dalzell said the decision was discussed in depth with the family of the Patrick and Janice Yarr.
“We went over the pros and the cons with the family regarding going to the death penalty,” Dalzell said.
“It just doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.
“We want to bring it to trial and have it resolved quickly.”
Often lengthy
Dalzell said in the state of Washington, death penalty trials can often prove very lengthy.
Pam Loginsky, a lawyer with the Washington State Prosecuting Attorneys Association and considered an expert in death penalty cases, consulted with Dalzell on the case last week.
“The one we looked at for comparison is State v. Stenson in Clallam County, which just came back again for post-DNA testing, ” Dalzell said.
Darold Stenson, 56, was convicted of double murder in 1994 for the 1993 shooting deaths of his wife and business partner outside of Sequim.
Although he was scheduled for execution last fall, his case continues on appeal.
Pierce remains in Jefferson County jail without the option of bail until his trial.
He will next appear in court on Sept. 12.
The Yarrs were found dead in their home March 19, the day after a fire destroyed the house.
Investigators said the Yarrs had not died from the fire, and that the blaze was intentionally set.
Pierce was arrested March 23.
Along with two counts of murder, Pierce is also charged with arson, robbery, burglary, theft of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and theft.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com
