Meyer double-murder case continued until February

OREGON – The case for the Byron man accused of murdering his ex-wife and 3-year-old son was continued to February during a status hearing this week in Ogle County court.

The continuance was agreed to for a pre-trial hearing at 10 a.m. on Feb. 8, Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said.

Duane Meyer was charged with four counts of first degree homicide, two counts of aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death on Oct. 9, 2019. Maggie and Amos Meyer were killed in a fire in 2016 that was proved to be arson.

Rock said a large amount of pre-trial discovery was the reason for the continuance.

“Police and forensic reports, things like that,” Rock said. “Any time it’s a case with charges like this, it will take some time. Making sure both sides have all of the documents.”

Meyer is currently being held in the Ogle County Jail on $10 million bond.

Rock was sworn in as state’s attorney on Dec. 1, taking over for Eric Morrow after defeating him in the primary elections earlier this year and running unopposed last month.

“It’s been good,” Rock said. “Myself and three new assistant state’s attorneys started last Tuesday and divvied up all the cases. It’s exciting to be back serving Ogle County.”

Ogle County courts reopened Monday after a closure due to COVID-19.