Iryn Meyers sentencing Wednesday

Oct. 17--BATH -- Iryn B. Meyers will be sentenced for second-degree murder in Steuben County court Wednesday.

Meyers' sentencing, by Judge Joseph W. Latham, will close the book -- at least for now -- on a grisly murder-for-profit scheme that cost a 60-year-old Wayland man his life last year.

Meyers faces a maximum penalty of 25 years to life on the second-degree murder count after a county court jury convicted her on Aug. 22 for her role in the death of David O'Dell, who died when his house burned to the ground on Feb. 15, 2016.

Wednesday's 9 a.m. sentencing has the potential for high dramatics, with at least one of the surviving siblings of O'Dell expected to address the court. O'Dell family members were a constant presence during the August trial, sitting in the first row directly behind the defendant. Meyers, who did not testify during her two and half week trial, will also be given the opportunity to make a statement.

Authorities accused Iryn Meyers of conspiring with her husband Joseph Meyers to set the New Galen Road home on fire to kill O'Dell and collect as much as $170,000 in insurance proceeds. Iryn Meyers was also convicted of two counts of first-degree arson, insurance fraud, attempted insurance fraud, conspiracy and making a false written statement to New York State Police investigators.

Meyers' attorneys said the convictions will be appealed.

Court officials say defense attorneys have not filed any post-trial motions, clearing the way for sentencing on Wednesday.

Joseph Meyers was was found guilty last May of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson, criminal conspiracy and several lesser charges for the the death of O'Dell, a long-time friend and employee of Joseph Meyers at Loon Lake Services in Wayland. Joseph Meyers was sentenced in July to 23 years to life in state prison after facing a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker said he will ask for the maximum sentence on Iryn Meyers' murder conviction, calling O'Dell's murder a "wanton, callous crime."

"This was a very cold, calculated plan that took place over a period of months," Baker said. "The way they killed him was absolutely cruel and calculated."

Baker said the second-degree murder sentence is the key sentence because the sentences on the other counts will run concurrently with the murder penalty.

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