Trial set in pot-wielding murder case

A charge of second-degree murder was filed in superior court June 3 against Erik C. Luden, 24, who was arrested in Pullman May 30 after the body of his father was found in his Pullman apartment.

At his arraignment Friday Luden entered a plea of not guilty to the charge and his trial date was slated for July 20.

Luden was booked into the county jail here early May 31 where he is being held on $500,000 bail which was set at a first appearance in court Monday.

The charge includes a domestic violence factor alleging the victim was a family member. Luden is charged with using a deadly weapon other than a firearm in causing the death of his father Virgil C. Luden.

Police reports in the investigation say Virgil C. Luden, 58, was struck on the head multiple times with a heavy pot. A heavy kitchen pot was found at the scene when police responded to the apartment on NE C Street after Erik Luden called police dispatchers and told them his father was “out” on the floor of the apartment.

In his call, Erik Luden said he had hit his father with a pot after his father had attacked him with a knife.

Luden has been scheduled for an arraignment appearance Friday in superior court. He is being represented by Defense Attorney Steve Martonick.