Murder suspect pleads not guilty

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man accused of first-degree murder is pleading not guilty.

Bradley Michael Leader's plea sets the stage for a jury trial in 1st District Court in April. He faces additional charges of second-degree kidnapping and aggravated assault for allegedly forcing a longtime acquaintance at gunpoint to help him dispose of the body of Eveline Ursula Pederson.

Leader, 67, is accused of strangling and bludgeoning Pederson, 66, at her home off Gunsmoke Road on Aug. 17. Her body was found north of Priest River.

The witness partially complied with Leader's demands after he was warned they he would be shot to death if he didn't assist him in concealing Pederson's body, according to a probable cause affidavit. Leader allegedly admitted to killing Pederson and showed no remorse, the affidavit said.

Deputy Public Defender Janet Whitney moved for Leader to be evaluated after questions arose whether he would be able to assist in his own defense. Whitney said unspecified facts and circumstances raised the question of Leader's competency.

Leader is being held at the Bonner County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.