Erik Luden pleaded not guilty June 5 in Whitman County Superior Court to one count of alleged second-degree murder, for his role in the death of his father last weekend.
Luden was arrested Saturday, May 30, after police responded to his College Hill apartment to find his father, Virgil C. Luden, 58, of Sammamish, Wash., dead. Luden reportedly told 911 dispatchers his father had attacked him with a knife and he responded by hitting him with a kitchen pot.
Whitman County Coroner Pete Martin ruled the manner of death as homicide.
Luden also received injuries to his hand consistent with being in a fight and had three lacerations to his left forearm, described as “self-inflicted.” He was treated at Pullman Regional Hospital before being transported to the Whitman County Jail where he remains in custody on $500,000 bail.
Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and up to a $50,000 fine, plus restitution. The second-degree murder charge also includes enhancements for domestic violence and possession of a deadly weapon.
If found to have been armed with a weapon at the time of the alleged incident, Luden could face an additional 24 months added on to any sentence.
Luden is scheduled to appear in court again Friday for an omnibus hearing and July 10 for readiness.
A trial is tentatively scheduled to begin July 20.
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