Discovery complete, motions due in Ogle County double-murder case

OREGON – Discovery is complete and motions are due as the case of a Stillman Valley man accused of killing his ex-wife and their 3-year-old son nearly 5 years ago inches closer to a resolution.

Duane Meyer, 39, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson, and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in connection with the Oct. 9, 2016 house fire in Byron in which Maggie Meyer was found dead and Amos Meyer died.

The body of Maggie Meyer, 31, was found on a couch on the first floor of her burning home, while Amos was pronounced dead a short time later at a Rockford hospital.

At a pretrial hearing Friday in Ogle County court, attorneys on both sides told Judge John B. Roe that the state had handed over all its evidence to the defense, and so the discovery process is complete.

Defense attorney Christopher DeRango, of Rockford said he now plans to file a dozen or so motions in limine in the case, to challenge some of the state’s evidence and to try to limit what will be presented to the jury.

Roe set a status hearing for Aug. 4, at which time he will set hearings for the motions to be heard.

Meyer, who is in Ogle County jail on $10 million bond, appeared via video.

State’s Attorney Mike Rock and Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten are prosecuting.