OREGON – Duane Meyer declined to testify Thursday during the final day of his double murder trial, with Judge John Roe advising him of his right to take the stand. Defense attorney Christopher DeRango said there was no benefit to testifying after Meyer’s earlier interview with investigators was played for the jury. Six witnesses testified Thursday, and jurors were told to return Monday for closing arguments, with a jury instruction and exhibit conference scheduled for today.
Meyer, 43, of Byron, is accused of starting a fire in October 2016 at a home on Silverthorn Avenue in Byron that killed his ex-wife, 31-year-old Margaret Meyer, and their 3-year-old son, Amos. He was arrested and charged in 2019. He faces four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson, and one count of concealing a homicidal death. Meyer has pleaded not guilty.
