Butler Firefighter Case Headed to Grand Jury

The case of a suspended was sent to a grand jury last week, according to a Morris County Court clerk.

William R. Meier, 26, , criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools after alleged he and John B. Futcher III, 20, had broken into the Carey Avenue firehouse and stolen several items used for personal safety, damaging lockers and rooms. Futcher was last month.

But the case of Meier, who was scheduled to appear in court in Morristown last week, was referred to a grand jury Tuesday. As such, Brozyna said Meier did not have to appear.

"The case is being handed to the grand jury to decide if they're going to indict or dismiss," Steve Brozyna, the court clerk, said.

The grand jury process could take several months or even up to a year, Brozyna said. Meier also served a one-year prison sentence in 2010 after being convicted of assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license.

Butler Fire Department Chief Jim Neill said Monday he was unaware that Meier's case had been moved to grand jury but that he remains suspended from the department until the case is resolved.

"[The case] is going to run its course," Neill said.

Despite being suspended, Meier has allegedly attended , including a May 14 fire most recently, prompting Neill to send letters reminding him that while suspended, he is not to attend fires. Neill also informing them that Meier and Futcher had been attending the fires while suspended. In his statement, Neill said Meier and Futcher had participated in responding to at least one of the fires.

Since May, Neill said neither suspended firefighter has attended a fire.

Meier is the son of Councilman Robert Meier and Butler resident, citing what she believes to be a "conflict of interest" for not forcing his son to leave the fires, although Councilman Stephen Regis has said that Meier was not asked to leave the fires by anyone on the scene. The borough attorney has also said to take action against the councilman on the matter.