TRAVERSE CITY - The man arrested in connection with the murder of Linda Meteer faced a judge to hear the charges against him.
“I’d like to start off with the major question everybody has today is why now? Why 35 plus years after? 1989?” says Captain Chris Clark from the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau.
Steven Koon from Leelanau County, who is now 63 years old, was arraigned in the 86th District Court, where he pleaded not guilty.
According to an affidavit, Linda Meteer went to a bar near Chums Corner the night of April 19th and was last seen leaving there after midnight. Her body was found 7 days later by a mushroom hunter in Hoosier Valley.
A news conference was held at the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office after Koon’s Arraignment. More questions were answered about the case.
“I think when we took a real hard look at the case about a year and a half ago, we went through all the police reports, all the evidence,” shares Clark,” We’ve gone over all the evidence multiple times. We’ve consulted with, experts in multiple fields, and, I think collaboratory with all that information that we gathered, that that kind of pointed us towards to where we are today.”
The man police say is the suspect for Linda Meteer’s death pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Grand Traverse County Court.
Steven Koon, a 63-year-old Leelanau County man, is the suspect in the case. According to the affidavit Koon was seen at the same bar where Meteer was last seen. The Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Offices says the relationship between the two was casual. Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg was not shocked by Koon’s not guilty plea and expects court date delays.
“not a surprise at all that he pled not guilty. That’s what, what most defendants do at their initial arraignment and, can’t talk too much about his history at this point. He has been in the area, though….they’ve been working on this case for a long time, and it is voluminous, to say the least. So to give a defense attorney ample time to go through everything. I would anticipate those dates getting moved back.”
The Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office worked in partnership with the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program and the Michigan State Police Forensic Labs. Clark explains what it feels like to have an arrest made after nearly 36 years.
“I think honestly, it just, kind of gives you a little bit of pride at the work that your detectives are doing. The work that the students at Western Michigan University is doing, the work that, people at the state labs is doing it right.”
Clark and Moeggenberg also shared what it was like to let the family know of Koon’s arrest.
“it was pretty emotional. I’ve spoken with a certain family member for about a year and a half on this case. So, it was nice to be able to tell her that, shares Clark.
“I can say that, my office had contact with that family member, earlier today, and it was, just a roller coaster of emotions, obviously grateful. Happy that there was an end in sight. But also, obviously, this brings a lot up,” says Moeggenberg.
Koon’s next court date is March 4th.