June 14 jury trial set in Bear Trap fire case

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Hurley — A jury trial has been scheduled for June 14 for a Saxon woman who’s charged with aiding a felon as a party to a crime in connection with the March 12 fire at the Bear Trap Inn that resulted in the death of Lisa Waldros.

The 12-person trial for Jessica Carli, 41, of Saxon, was scheduled Tuesday in Iron County Court. It’s planned for two days.

The count against Carli, of Church Street, is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

The criminal complaint alleges Carli knew Donald Rick had killed Waldros, of Kimball, and helped him attempt to hide evidence after he set fire to the Saxon bar.

Both Rick and Carli gave statements to investigators saying they had gone to a Lac du Flambeau casino the night of March 11, with Rick saying they had lost all their money. The complaint says Carli told authorities that during the drive home, Rick suggested following a woman home to steal her purse.

According to the complaint, Carli is alleged to have responded by telling Rick, “Go ahead and do whatever.”

Authorities say Carli admitted that Rick asked for her assistance in disposing of evidence, including his clothes and shoes, as well as the knife allegedly used to kill Waldros.

A shoe that was allegedly thrown from the Bad River bridge near Ashland was later recovered by investigators.

Richard Dufour, an assistant Attorney General, is prosecuting the case.

Rick will be sentenced on a homicide charge on April 13.