BURNED HOUSE CENTER OF EVICTION BATTLE INVOLVING INGERID PEARSON

The Southeast Portland Residence In The Courthouse Dispute Between Mother
And Son Is Suspected Of Housing A Drug Lab

Ingerid Pearson's son has been trying for weeks to evict his mother from a
Southeast Portland house that burned down Monday, but she has argued in
court papers that she owned the home.

Pearson became widely known because of a Rottweiler breeding operation at a
rundown Milwaukie wedding chapel, which led to her conviction on animal
neglect charges in 1997.

According to Multnomah County court records, Pearson's son, James Bunch,
filed a 30-day notice of termination of tenancy Jan. 13, ordering Pearson
and any other persons out of the house at 5824 S.E. Yamhill St. by Feb. 16.

Spelling her name Ingerid-Bereth-Elise: Pearson, Bunch's mother wrote her
own court papers demanding that the court prove it had the authority to
evict her. She also created papers revoking the trust agreement that gave
the property to Bunch in 1983.

In her court arguments, Pearson said the agreement was for her son to take
over 90 percent interest and assume 90 percent of the cost of maintaining
the house. She retained 10 percent ownership and the right to live there for
the rest of her life.

A letter she filed in court and dated at the time of the transfer said that
she thought James Bunch, her oldest son, "is the one most capable to wisely
handle this responsibility." She wanted the house kept for her children and
grandchildren.

Complaint against son

But Pearson complained in a filing this month that Bunch had failed to
maintain the home and had neglected his trustee responsibilities by living
in Europe for the past three years.

Holly J. Hummel, Bunch's attorney, responded March 2 with an amended court
paper demanding immediate possession. A judge decided in Bunch's favor, and
Hummel said that under the court's order, Pearson should have been locked
out of the house at 11 a.m. Monday.

Sheriff's deputies went to the house about that time to evict Pearson and
several other people who lived there. The eviction led to the discovery of
what appeared to be a methamphetamine "cooking" operation in the basement.

Portland firefighters waiting for specialists to deal with the drug-brewing
hazard saw smoke coming from the home's basement about 4 p.m.

Fire Bureau policy bars risking firefighters in houses with drug labs unless
someone's life is in danger. So firefighters allowed the house to burn. Fire
officials estimated the value of the home at $300,000 and its contents at
$150,000.

Bunch did not have fire insurance, Hummel said.

Bunch did not respond to messages left Tuesday at his Beaverton telephone
number or with Hummel. Pearson could not be reached.

Any evidence of a drug laboratory in the basement of the house went up in smoke.

Investigators found no drugs in the garage or in vehicles left near the
house, said Detective Sgt. Cheryl Kanzler, a Portland Police Bureau
spokeswoman. Still, police would like to talk to some men who lived there
and fled before the fire.

Police say there is no evidence to suggest that Pearson had anything to do
with the methamphetamine lab.

Methamphetamine, a stimulant similar to amphetamine, is a street drug
illegally synthesized from commonly available chemicals.

Sgt. Jason Gates, a Multnomah County sheriff's deputy who is part of a
county hazardous materials team, is specially trained in handling
methamphetamine operations. He did not participate in Monday's case, but he
said firefighters are wise to beware of the labs.

Explosive components

Although methamphetamine "cooks" use different recipes and equipment, Gates
said, most whom his unit has investigated recently use a process that
involves large quantities of ether. Ether degrades to a form of peroxide
that is explosive, he said.

Meth manufacturing also can produce quantities of phosphine gas that
displaces oxygen. "It's a poisonous gas, and it is flammable," he said. "It
will ignite and can be explosive." Some caustic chemicals used in the
process can take the skin off a person in seconds, he said.