- December 15, 2025
In separate arraignments, Fischer and Merrill pled not guilty.
A written plea of not guilty was filed by the attorney of Jamesine Fischer, March 20, at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. The trial will take place in Flagler County, despite the shift in who will lead the prosecution.
Fischer has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and misleading investigators. The Nov. 10 crash in Palm Coast’s C-section resulted in the death of 76-year-old Francoise Pecqueur. Catherine Vyvyan, Pecqueur’s daughter, was in attendance at the arraignment and has indicated she will take great interest in the case.
Assistant State Attorney Russ Bausch, of the 18th Circuit Court in Brevard County, has been assigned to prosecute Fischer. Gov. Rick Scott approved the shift from State Attorney R.J. Larizza’s office because of his working relationship with Flagler County Sheriff Donald Fleming, who has been questioned in the case. Fleming talked to Fischer’s husband, School Board member John Fischer, on the phone more than once about the incident, and was questioned in the investigation conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol.
But, the transfer to Bausch doesn’t mean the trial will be moved to Brevard County. “The case is still handled in the county,” Bausch said. “The trial will take place here. We’re the ones who have to travel (from Brevard County).”
He said there are cases when a trial would have to be moved to a different courthouse, but, he said, “No one has even suggested that.”
“The defense has to demonstrate that it would be impossible to get a fair and impartial jury,” he said.
Judge Raul Zambrano set a date of May 2 for pre-trial.
Merrill pleads not guilty
An attorney representing William Carson Merrill filed a written plea of not guilty March 20. Merrill has been charged with manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Merrill, 32, shone the laser of his AK-47 assault rifle at the chest of his wife, Stefanie Merrill, Feb. 21, while she was standing near the tub in their home. The gun accidentally fired, he said.
