Pederson denied delay in animal cruelty sentencing

MOUNT VERNON — Roger Pederson was denied a continuance in his animal cruelty case, and will be sentenced Wednesday.

In a hearing Monday, a lawyer representing the 93-year-old Bay View man said she needed more time to acquire medical records and respond to new documents from prosecutors.

However, Skagit County Superior Court Judge Brian Stiles said because Pederson is awaiting sentencing it’s too late to debate the evidence.

“Your client has already pled guilty, we’re not going to have a trial on this case,” he said.

Pederson’s sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Pederson had been charged with six counts of first-degree animal cruelty and two associated misdemeanors after 70 dead cattle were found on his property in January 2018.

In March, he entered an Alford plea to two charges of first-degree animal cruelty as part of a plea deal.

An Alford plea is when a defendant does not admit guilt, but believes there is enough evidence prosecutors could present at trial that would result in a conviction.