I have decided not to seek the death penalty for Holly Ann Grigsby. The charges remain two counts of Aggravated Murder in the First Degree, with Life Imprisonment without parole the only remaining sentencing option.

There is ample evidence that co-defendant David J. Pedersen’s hatred for his father was the primary motivation for these crimes. Unarguably, the nature of this defendants alleged physical acts, committed against a completely innocent victim, Leslie Pederson, almost defy description. Still, this defendant had no violent criminal history previous to this, is quite young at 24, and appears to have been following the lead of David J. Pedersen.

Proportionality also weighs against seeking death for this defendant after declining to do so for her co-defendant who was older, instigated the crimes, and had more criminal history, some of it violent.

The case remains set for trial. As is the practice of this office we will not further discuss specific facts of pending cases, pursuant to RPC 3.8. As always, the defendant is presumed innocent, and that presumption remains intact.

Mark Roe