×

Murder suspect’s bail set

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Josh Pendleton appeared in Magistrate Court by video conference Friday with court-appointed attorney Paul Rounds. Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll, left, and First Assistant County Attorney Ryan Baldridge requested a total bail of $6 million, cash only, for the defendant facing first-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges.

Josh Pendleton, the man charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree murder in the killing of Rev. Al Henderson Wednesday, finished his initial appearance in Magistrate Court Friday morning.

Bail for Pendleton was set at $6 million, cash only, by Magistrate Steve Kersten, the sum of $1 million for the robbery charge and $5 million for the murder charge.

“It’s the state’s position, given the facts in this case, that the defendant cannot be safely released to the community under these circumstances, so we’re asking for significant cash bonds,” said Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll.

Henderson’s autopsy was completed by Friday. Fort Dodge Police Department is awaiting a preliminary report, which they expect next week, according to Capt. Ryan Gruenberg, public information officer.

Gruenberg said that injuries visible on Henderson’s body Wednesday evening were consistent with that of a physical assault.

He told The Messenger that there was no indication of an injury from gunfire, or of any other apparent weapon, such as a knife, used in the alleged assault. He said a more definite conclusion on that matter will be made upon reception of the autopsy results.

The defendant’s court-appointed attorney from the Nevada Public Defender’s Office, Paul Rounds, made no initial objections to the bail requested by the county attorney.

A continuance was requested at Thursday’s appearance in order to allow Pendleton’s new attorney to be present. His first court-appointed attorney, Doug Cook, was granted withdrawal from the case for “good cause,” according to court records.

A closed circuit video of Pendleton recorded Thursday morning showed the defendant as he sat waiting for Magistrate Court, visibly agitated or angry, in the Webster County Jail with Webster County Jail Administrator Steve Elifrits. Though no audio is available, Pendleton is seen pounding his fist, pointing at the screen and appears to be shouting at Elifrits before exiting the room.

First-degree robbery, a class B felony, is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. First-degree murder, a class A felony, is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Iowa does not have the death penalty.

Pendleton requested a preliminary hearing, which Kersten scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today