Eldien named top arson investigator
Published Saturday, April 12, 2008
Michelle Eldien
Deputy State Fire Marshal John Steinbach can tell you how difficult it is to prosecute an arson case. Building an argument requires the work of not only fire marshals, law enforcement and insurance investigators, but a competent attorney who’s willing to take on a crime in which evidence is often circumstantial.
Assistant Otter Tail County Attorney Michelle Eldien is one of those attorneys, and last month she was honored as Prosecutor of the Year by the Minnesota chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (MNIAAI).
“She’s passionate about her work and she’s willing to sit down and listen,” said Steinbach, who’s worked with Eldien for roughly five years and nominated her for the award.
The year 2007 saw nearly half a dozen arson cases in Otter Tail County, Steinbach said, more so than most years. In the past year, Eldien charged five separate arson cases, all ending with a conviction. Two of those cases — one involving an Elizabeth house fire in September 2006 and the other the Pelican Rapids Dollar Store fire in January 2006 — went to jury trial.
“Arson has always been looked upon as a property crime,” Steinbach said, “when in all actuality, arson is a crime against people” because it affects insurance premiums.
Finding someone to charge arson cases is often difficult, said Fergus Falls Police Captain and MNIAAI member Steve Adams. Extensive background research becomes especially crucial when so little physical evidence is available.
“The fire itself destroys the evidence that would normally be there in another criminal case,” Adams said. “In some regards, it’s a process of elimination.”
But for Eldien, a 10-year veteran of the county attorney’s office, the challenges of arson cases are part of their appeal.
“I like the intensity of the felony work,” she said.
Eldien said she also enjoys interacting with victims. Felony cases involve a human component not found in, say, property work.
Eldien received the Prosecutor of the Year award at a MNIAAI banquet in St. Cloud March 27. Her win represents a shift away from the traditional award recipients: Twin Cities attorneys.
“For the most part, it’s usually down in the metro area,” Steinbach said of the recognition. “I think we need to recognize our prosecutors in greater Minnesota as well.”
Fergus Falls Fire Chief Mark Hovland, another MNIAAI member, echoed similar sentiments.
“I think (Eldien) getting this award speaks highly not only of her but of the county attorney’s office in general,” he said.