Steuben woman guilty in fatal arson insurance scheme

A Steuben County woman was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder after she and her husband set a fatal fire in an attempt to collect the insurance money, prosecutors said.

Iryn B. Meyers, 38, of Wayland, and her husband, Joseph A. Meyers, 44, were indicted in April 2016 on charges of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson, fifth-degree insurance fraud, two counts of second-degree attempted insurance fraud and fourth-degree conspiracy related to a February 2016 fire that killed David N. O'Dell, of Wayland.

Joseph Meyers was also charged with first-degree murder and falsifying business records. He was convicted on all counts following a jury trial in May and was sentenced to 23 years to life in state prison. He is serving his sentence at the Elmira Correctional Facility.

Following a trial that started Aug. 15, a jury needed less than three hours Tuesday to find Iryn Meyers guilty on all seven counts. 

Justice has finally been served for O'Dell and his family, Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker said.

Husband, wife charged with arson, murder in fatal fire

"It was very compelling evidence. The New York State Police did a great job putting it together," Baker said. "We learned a lot more about David O’Dell. He was a nice, simple man. He suffered a traumatic brain injury several years ago, and was taking medication. They really took advantage of a person of limited means and capacity. His family watched whole thing. They got closure in this case. It’s sad and it’s tragic."

Multiple fire departments responded to a New Galen Road location in the Town of Wayland around 4:40 a.m. Feb. 15, 2016, after a passing motorist spotted a structure fire, police said.

O'Dell died in the blaze, which was investigated by New York State Police, the Steuben County Fire Investigation Team and the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Prosecutors contended that Joseph and Iryn Meyers intentionally murdered O'Dell and set his home ablaze in an attempt to collect more than $140,000 in insurance money.

Steuben County Judge Joseph Latham scheduled post-trial motions for Sept. 27, and set sentencing for Iryn Meyers for 9 a.m. Oct. 18.

She faces a minimum of 15 years to life and a maximum of 25 years to life in prison, Baker said.

Follow @SGJeffMurray on Twitter.