LaMere denies murder, arson charges

Mitchell LaMere was stoic during his arraignment Monday when he pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the May 19 fire that killed Fred Bacon.

Dressed in black and white fatigues, his head was often bowed as he sat alongside three defendants being arraigned in separate cases. Chippewa Cree Tribal Judge Melody Whitford presided over the brief hearing.

Criminal investigators with the Chippewa Cree Tribal Police formally filed charges against LaMere Friday. The documents allege LeMere intentionally set fire to the house at 18 Indian Rock St. that resulted in the death of Bacon, 24, of Box Elder, who was in the residence when the blaze started.

Police allege that LaMere had gotten in a fight with two men who were at the house with LaMere's ex-girlfriend. LaMere then left and later returned, proceeding to set the house on fire.

However, the two men and LaMere's ex-girlfriend had left before the fire was set, documents said.

In court Monday, one by one, LaMere pleaded not guilty to five charges: deliberate homicide, negligently endangering another person, malicious mischief, arson and disorderly conduct.

Altogether the charges could lead to 21 months in prison and or just under $7,000 in fines.

Under the tribe's criminal code, an individual can be held for up to one year on charges of homicide and up to six months on other serious crimes.

No charges have yet been filed by the FBI, which is also investigating the case. If convicted on federal charges, the penalties would be far more substantial.

The FBI investigates and the U.S Attorney's office prosecutes felonies that occur on Indian reservations.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed that the case is being investigated but declined to comment further, saying that to do so could jeopardize the investigation.

Representing the tribe, prosecutor Donita Hay requested that LaMere be held on bond, for what she said was the safety of both the police and the community.

Theresa Harris, a public defender representing LaMere, said that while the charges are serious, she and her client would contest them.

Harris said LaMere would be willing to comply with all conditions imposed by the court if he could be released while awaiting trial.

Whitford asked what assurances she would have that LaMere, who is unemployed, would abide by conditions put in place by the court.

Harris said that while she did not currently have any written affidavits from family members at the moment, she could obtain them if necessary.

Whitford set bail at $50,000 cash bond.

Whitford said that within two weeks a pre-trial conference will be set to discuss evidence, scheduling and other aspects of the case.