Murder suspect waives hearing

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man facing first-degree murder, kidnapping and felony assault charges is opting not to contest the evidence against him in magistrate court.

Bradley Michael Leader waived his right Tuesday to a preliminary hearing in Bonner County Magistrate Court, court records show. A judge decides during such hearings whether there is sufficient evidence to justify binding a defendant over to 1st District Court to stand trial.

Leader's waiver clears the way for his arraignment in district court on Dec. 7. He remains held at the Bonner County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Leader, 67, is accused of strangling and bludgeoning Eveline Ursula Pederson, 66, on Monday, Aug. 17. The killing occurred outside Pederson's Gunsmoke Lane home north of Priest River.

Leader allegedly used a piece of bailing twine to strangle Pederson and delivered a death blow with a piece of concrete, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Leader, the affidavit said, ordered a longtime acquaintance at gunpoint to help him dispose of Pederson's body. When the man objected, Leader allegedly drew back the hammer of a .45-caliber pistol and warned that he would be killed if he didn't assist him.

Pederson's body was placed in a minivan owned by Pederson's boyfriend, which was driven to U.S. Forest Service Road No. 334, where her body was dumped on the side of the road. The minivan was abandoned and the witness told investigators he was ordered into the Toyota sport utility vehicle Leader was driving.

After driving around for several hours, they returned to Pederson's residence. The witness told investigators Leader remained armed and kept a close watch over him, the affidavit said. However, Leader became distracted, which allowed the witness to flee the home and report the incident to authorities.

Leader agreed to speak with investigators after being advised of his rights, according to the affidavit. Leader was was remorseless about killing Pederson and allegedly stated that she deserved to die.

A motive for the killing is not specified in court documents. It allegedly followed an argument in which Leader admitted punching her in the face, the affidavit said.

Murder carries with it the possibility of a lifelong prison sentence upon conviction, according to Idaho Code. Second-degree kidnapping is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com or followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee