Teen Charged with Arson

By Lisa Patterson - Daily World writer

Michael L. Freuler, 16, who is described in court papers as having family problems and a criminal past, was charged with first - degree arson and second - degree burglary. Grays Harbor Deputy Prosecutor Jason Richards filed a motion requesting that the Aberdeen High School student be tried as an adult on both charges.

His 17 - year - old friend from North Beach High School's alternative program was charged with second - degree burglary. Prosecutor's aren't planning to request that he be tried as an adult.

The 17 - year - old said Freuler may have broken into the school to, "look for his school records," court papers say. He said Freuler told him, " ... Since he had been at Aberdeen High School he had done some things wrong and thought that he would be sent back to live with his dad, (In Pacific County)."

A hearing regarding who the boy should live with was held on Jan. 8, in Pacific County. Prior to the hearing the father had requested the boy's records so he could demonstrate to the court that he was skipping classes at Aberdeen and should be placed with him, court papers say.

The friend said Freuler didn't want to live with his father because he said his dad, " ... Made him do chores and go to school," court papers say.

With his hands and ankles cuffed, Freuler stared at his black - and - white Converse tennis shoes until Judge Gordon Godfrey read him the charges and asked him if he understood. He quietly replied, "Yes." Few people besides the media and court officials were present at the hearing.

Freuler's bail was set at $100,000 and attorney Kyle Imler was appointed to defend him. A date for the hearing to determine whether he will be tried as an adult has not yet been set.

Bail was set at $50,000 for Freuler's 17 - year - old friend, and attorney Brett Ballew was appointed to defend him.

Arraignment is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Juvenile Court.

Aberdeen Police found some evidence near the perimeter of the Weatherwax Building Friday that "corroborates with the information the suspects gave us," Capt. John Green said.

"It confirms some of the information that these two suspects gave us in their statements." The police captain would not specify what the evidence was because he said it could hinder the investigation.

The investigation into Freuler's alleged involvement in the fire began when a tipster who knows him called police Tuesday. The caller said the youth had been fighting with his girlfriend over the weekend and sometimes does, "stupid things," when they are not getting along.

The informant reported that Freuler said he and his friend were drunk Saturday night and broke into the counseling center in the building at about 11:30 p.m. Freuler reportedly said that he lit a desk on fire, but didn't give a reason. "Freuler stated that he only meant to set that room on fire, not burn down the whole building," court papers say.

The suspect's accused 17 - year - old accomplice said they left Freuler's West Market Street apartment where he was staying with his mother at about 9:50 p.m., and started walking to a friend's house, but no one answered the door.

The two then walked to Aberdeen High School because his friend wanted to show him "a flight of stairs that he had fallen down." The doors and windows at the school were locked.

The 17 - year - old said they then broke into the counseling center. He said it was the first time he had been in the school.

Once inside, Freuler pulled out his cigarettes and asked his friend for a lighter, according to court papers.

The 17 - year - old told police he could hear Freuler shuffling papers in a nearby room. When he returned he was, "snickering," like he had done something wrong, court papers say.

The two left through the same window they had entered, the court papers say.

When the two returned to the Aberdeen apartment, Freuler told his friend the "school was on fire," but his friend thought he was only joking. Then Freuler "hinted" that he had lit some papers on fire in the counseling office.

After being read his rights, police said Freuler admitted to entering the counseling center and that he broke in to, " ... Look for stuff to take" and, " ... lit a piece of paper on fire and that (his friend) lit a book on fire," court papers say.